Saudi-Tunisian Joint Commission Concludes 12th Session with Signing of Five Agreements
The 12th session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Commission has concluded in the capital city of Riyadh with the signing of five agreements, memoranda of understanding, and executive programs aimed at strengthening economic integration between the two brotherly countries, particularly in the sectors of customs, mining, postal services, and media.
Co-Chairmanship and Participation
The commission meeting was co-chaired by His Excellency the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, for the Saudi side, and His Excellency the Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdelhafidh, for the Tunisian side, with broad participation from representatives of government institutions from both countries.
Session Discussions and Outcomes
The meetings of this session, hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, allowed for the examination of bilateral cooperation axes and partnership priorities between the two parties in several areas, including:
- Trade and investment
- Development
- Renewable energy
- Industry and mining
- Transportation and logistics services
- Digital transformation and postal services
- Tourism
- Culture and media Discussions also covered consular, security, and judicial affairs, as well as Hajj, Umrah, and Islamic affairs.
Economic and Commercial Cooperation
In terms of economic and commercial cooperation, the commission called for the finalization of the implementation of agreed-upon initiatives to boost trade exchanges and activate the role of the Joint Business Council, while expanding mutual recognition of product conformity certificates. Participants welcomed the positive results from the third meeting of the joint working group for trade cooperation, held in Tunisia in July 2025, which contributed to a significant growth in trade exchange volume, reaching 38% by September 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Review of Cooperation and Development Projects
During this 12th session, representatives from the government sectors of both countries reviewed forms of cooperation in priority economic sectors, as well as current and future joint development projects and their direct impact on supporting economic and social development trajectories in both countries. Both parties emphasized the importance of maximizing the benefits of mutual investments in strategic sectors, particularly those with high added value, to promote knowledge transfer, skill localization, and the creation of qualitative opportunities for sustainable development.
Adoption of Session Minutes and Strategic Agreements
The commission's work resulted in the adoption of the minutes of the 12th session, comprising 100 cooperation axes covering 15 areas in several strategic sectors, including energy, industry, mining, justice, transportation and logistics services, aviation, and human resource development, thus consolidating economic integration and strengthening the overall partnership between the two brotherly countries.
Signing of Agreements and Future Cooperation
The conclusion of the commission's work was marked by the signing of a set of agreements, memoranda of understanding, and strategic executive programs, including:
- An agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters
- A memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of mineral resources
- Another in the postal sector
- A memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the radio and television sector
- An executive cooperation and information exchange program between the Saudi Press Agency and the Tunis Afrique Presse Agency
Future Sessions and Follow-up
In a perspective of perpetuating joint work, both parties agreed to hold the commission regularly every two years, alternating between the two countries. The commission's secretariats will ensure follow-up on the implementation of recommendations and address any potential difficulties through the organization of two annual periodic meetings. Both parties also expressed their desire to hold the 13th session of the commission in the Republic of Tunisia at a date to be determined later through diplomatic channels.
