Saudi Crown Prince Unveils Aspirations, Priorities for the Kingdom’s Development, Innovation and Research

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
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Saudi Crown Prince Unveils Aspirations, Priorities for the Kingdom’s Development, Innovation and Research

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled on Thursday the national aspirations and priorities for research, development and innovation in the Kingdom for the next two decades.

Those are based on four main priorities, namely human health, environmental sustainability and basic needs, leadership in energy and industry, and future economies.

According to the Crown Prince, the priorities seek to enhance the Kingdom’s global competitiveness and leadership within Saudi Vision 2030.

“We have adopted ambitious aspirations for the research, development and innovation sector, so that the Kingdom will become one of the pioneers of innovation in the world,” he said.

“The annual spending on the sector will reach 2.5 percent of GDP in 2040, so that the sector contributes to the development and diversification of the national economy by adding SR60 billion to the GDP in 2040, and creating thousands of quality jobs in science, technology and innovation.”

Research and development

The research, development and innovation sector has been restructured, with the establishment of a higher committee headed by the Crown Prince to oversee the sector and define national priorities, as well as to launch the Research, Development and Innovation Development Authority that will act as an enabler, legislator and regulator for the sector.

Attracting national and international talent

In order to achieve these ambitions, Saudi Arabia will work to attract the best national and international talents, in addition to strengthening cooperation with the largest research centers, international companies, the non-profit sector and the private sector, which are an essential partner to lead research and development and increase investment in the sector.

Human Health

Based on the Kingdom’s advanced infrastructure for scientific medical research and other competitive advantages, human health came at the top of the national priorities. Saudi Arabia aims to achieve a better and longer healthy life for its citizens and residents, by seeking to overcome health challenges, finding radical solutions for chronic and non-communicable diseases, providing the highest standards of health care for members of society, and supplying the world with the latest pharmaceutical technologies based on biotechnology.

Production of desalinated water

In order to contribute to eliminating the challenges of water shortage and food security in the world, and based on Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the production of desalinated water globally, and its major initiatives to preserve the environment, the Kingdom seeks to become a global model in providing the basic needs of water, food and energy in a sustainable manner, by developing environmentally friendly technologies, increasing green spaces and promoting carbon capture, use and storage, as well as sustainable technologies for low-cost electricity production.

Leadership in energy and industry
Saudi Arabia enjoys natural wealth and competitive advantages in the energy and industry sectors. Through the priority of Leadership in Energy and Industry, the country aims to maintain its leadership in energy markets by innovating technologies for the production of alternative energy such as green hydrogen and solar and wind energy, as well as ensuring the sustainability of oil demand and developing the mining sector in a competitive and sustainable manner.

Future economics

The Future Economics was chosen as one of the priorities for the research, development and innovation sector. This priority aims to promote innovation in digital technologies, develop the future of urban life and build smart, human-friendly cities that are free of carbon emissions, in addition to exploring the depths of the sea and building a global position for the Kingdom in space field.

Ambitious programs

The recent adoption of national aspirations and priorities is the basis for the development of the national strategy for the research, development and innovation sector, which will be revealed at a later stage. The Crown Prince’s announcement is also an attractive factor for interested researchers and entrepreneurs from within Saudi Arabia and around the world.



Saudi Arabia Provides $30 Million in Support of Palestine

Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT
Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Provides $30 Million in Support of Palestine

Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT
Saudi flag - File Photo/AAWSAT

Palestinian Minister of Finance Omar Al-Bitar received a financial installment from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amounting to $30 million as part of the Kingdom’s continued support for the State of Palestine for 2025.

The installment was delivered at the Saudi Embassy in Amman on Thursday during a meeting between Al-Bitar and acting Chargé d’Affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Jordan Mohammed bin Hassan Mounis, SPA reported.

Al-Bitar praised the Kingdom’s ongoing financial and political support, highlighting the significance of this contribution in alleviating the severe financial crisis faced by Palestine amid recent Israeli policies.

He also expressed deep appreciation for the Kingdom’s longstanding and unwavering stance in support of Palestine and its people, as well as its support for their legitimate rights and the establishment of their independent state.

He conveyed the greetings of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their enduring political, economic, and humanitarian support.

Mounis noted that this installment reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian government and enabling it to meet its financial obligations, highlighting the importance of this aid in enhancing the resilience of the Palestinian people and alleviating their economic and humanitarian hardships.

He also noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided some $5.3 billion in recent years in humanitarian, relief, and development aid as part of its broader support for the State of Palestine, reaffirming the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people.