Ashraf AboArafe
His Excellency the President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Al-Desouki, affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to investing in the fields of science and technology to become one of the leading countries in the world by 2030 by launching national aspirations and priorities for research, development and innovation that are consistent with its ambitious vision and aim to enhance stability. Global prosperity and well-being for future generations.
This came during His Excellency’s presidency of the Kingdom’s delegation participating in the Science Summit (Science20) within the Group of Twenty (G20), which was held in the city of Rio de Janeiro, under the presidency of the Federal Republic of Brazil, and with the participation of representatives of the academies of science in the group’s countries, and a number of representatives of international scientific institutions and networks. Nationalism.
He explained that the Kingdom seeks to achieve leadership in the field of artificial intelligence through its commitment to governance, innovation, and the principles of artificial intelligence ethics by employing it in future expectations for research and development, stating that international cooperation and knowledge exchange will provide a sustainable path to ensure global security and ethical considerations.
Dr. Al-Desouki said: “The Kingdom is committed to economic diversification and sustainability, which is central to its ambitious 2030 vision, as it has invested in the bioeconomy, desert agriculture, water conservation technologies, and finding renewable energy solutions through the “Green Saudi Arabia” initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees in the world. Future contracts to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tons per year and protect 30% of land and marine areas by 2030.
In the field of energy, Dr. Al-Desouki stressed that the Kingdom aims to achieve leadership in the field of clean energy, and to contribute to global efforts to combat climate change, as it works to diversify the national energy mix used in producing electricity, which consists of renewable energy and gas, by 50% to gradually eliminate fuel. It is also working to add 20 gigawatts of renewable energy annually to reach 130 gigawatts by 2030, and more than 80 initiatives are being implemented in the public and private sectors, with investments exceeding 705 billion riyals.
In the field of health, His Excellency stated that the Kingdom has launched a national strategy for biotechnology to confront health challenges and promote medical innovation through genomics and precision medicine, transform health care outcomes, and improve the quality of life at the national level. The Kingdom has also strengthened mental health care by implementing programs targeting vulnerable population groups. To raise awareness of mental health, and develop strong policies and support systems.
In the field of social justice, His Excellency affirmed the Kingdom’s firm commitment to the principles of social justice, eradicating poverty, and reducing inequality, citing the Kingdom’s efforts in empowering women, through its obtaining in 2020 the Global Award for Women’s Empowerment in the Field of Technology from the International Telecommunication Union, and in 2022. The Kingdom was ranked among the top three countries that have improved in the world in closing the gender gap by the World Economic Forum, indicating that this achievement earned us first place and the Women’s Empowerment Award in the technology sector at the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Women’s participation in the communications and information technology sector represented a jump, reaching 35% in 2023, surpassing countries in the European Union, the G20, and Silicon Valley.
At the end of his speech, Dr. Al-Desouki expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Federal Republic of Brazil for its presidency of the G20 and their exemplary efforts in organizing the successful science summit, calling for agreement on a framework consistent with the aspirations of the participants to face future challenges in the science and technology sector and secure a promising future for future generations.
