Crown Prince receives scientist Omar Yaghi: Strengthening scientific research
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received Professor Omar Yaghi, one of the world’s leading chemists and founder of reticular chemistry, in a meeting that reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment to supporting science and scientists and attracting distinguished global talent.
This reception comes within the framework of His Highness the Crown Prince’s interest in the research, development and innovation sector, as it is a fundamental pillar for achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. During the meeting, advanced scientific research fields were reviewed, as well as opportunities to develop industrial and environmental applications based on modern chemical technologies, in order to serve global and local challenges alike.
Who is Professor Omar Yaghi?
Professor Omar Yaghi is a world-renowned scientist and the James and Neeltje Tretter Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. Yaghi is known as a pioneer in reticular chemistry, the science that allows molecular and atomic building blocks to be linked by strong bonds to form open and porous frameworks and structures. His research has contributed to the development of novel materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which have revolutionary applications in gas storage, carbon capture, and water extraction from dry air.
Although the title suggests he is a Nobel laureate due to his scientific standing, which rivals that of Nobel laureates, and his consistent nominations, Yaghi has received numerous prestigious international awards that are strong indicators of Nobel Prize success, including the Wolf Prize in Chemistry, the King Faisal International Prize in Science, and the Mustafa Prize for Science and Technology. His research is among the most cited and influential in global academia.
The importance of the meeting and the context of Vision 2030
This meeting is of paramount strategic importance given the Kingdom's drive to build a knowledge-based economy. The Kingdom has recently launched ambitious national strategies for research, development, and innovation, aiming to transform Saudi Arabia into a global hub for scientists and innovators. Yaghi's technologies are vital to the energy, water, and environment sectors, which are central to the Kingdom's development priorities.
This event also comes in line with the generous royal decree to grant Saudi citizenship to a number of distinguished talents and rare expertise, including Professor Omar Yaghi, which confirms the Kingdom’s seriousness in localizing knowledge and benefiting from bright minds to contribute to the comprehensive development renaissance.
Expected impact locally and globally
Collaboration with leading scientists like Yaghi is expected to accelerate innovation within Saudi universities and research centers, such as King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. The application of advanced materials technologies will help the Kingdom lead global efforts to combat climate change through carbon capture technologies, as well as find sustainable solutions to water scarcity, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a leading exporter of scientific solutions to the world.
