Ashraf AboArafe
The non-profit Ocean Quest Foundation announced its official launch today in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The launch of the foundation represents an important step toward a new phase of deep ocean exploration and collaboration opportunities in this sector, in line with the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
The non-profit Ocean Quest aims to accelerate deep ocean exploration, support technological innovations, and establish partnerships that contribute to the development of multidisciplinary ocean research for the benefit of humanity and enhance international public awareness of the ocean world.
His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ocean Quest, said: “The launch of the foundation is in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting progress and innovation at all levels for the benefit of humanity.” His Highness added: “Ocean Quest represents a global opportunity to explore the depths of the oceans. It will contribute to strengthening international cooperation, providing unique opportunities for future generations, and finding innovative solutions to many current and future challenges in the ocean world.”
Ocean Quest seeks to contribute to achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by pioneering innovation in ocean exploration, promoting international cooperation and sustainable development, and supporting research, development, and innovation by investing three billion riyals in ocean exploration research and development by 2050 and encouraging more than 150 young men and women annually to become scientists in the sector.
The Foundation’s programs will contribute to protecting 30% of marine life by supporting Saudi Arabia’s strategies in biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries, monitoring sensitive marine ecosystems, enabling sustainable projects in the Red Sea, and exploiting the carbon-absorbing potential of deep-sea coral reefs, thus enhancing the Kingdom’s ambitions to reduce carbon emissions.
The Foundation’s Board of Trustees includes His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan as Chairman of the Board; His Excellency Advisor to the Royal Court Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Tounsi; His Excellency Governor of the Public Investment Fund, Mr. Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan; His Excellency Advisor to the Royal Court, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Ismail Tarabzoni; CEO of NEOM, Eng. Ayman bin Mohammed Al-Mudaifer; CEO of the Red Sea International Company, Giovanni Pagan; President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Professor Edward Byrne; and founder of Bridgewater Associates and OceanX, Raymond Thomas Dalio. Ocean Quest is a Saudi non-profit organization based at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Jeddah. It is committed to exploring the oceans and their secrets for the benefit of humanity. The organization’s mission is to accelerate ocean exploration and foster innovation in the sector, as well as to foster collaboration and engage the public. More information can be found at www.OQFoundation.org
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