صورة الصفحة
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Research, Development and Innovation, announced the national aspirations and priorities for research, development and innovation in Saudi Arabia for the next two decades. It has four main priorities: human health, environmental sustainability and basic needs, and leadership in Energy, industry, and future economies, in a way that enhances the Kingdom's global competitiveness and leadership; It is in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and strengthening its position as the largest economy in the region.
Regarding national aspirations and priorities, he said: “We have adopted ambitious aspirations for the research, development and innovation sector, so that the Kingdom becomes one of the pioneers of innovation in the world. The annual expenditure on the sector will reach 2.5% of the gross domestic product in 2040, so that the sector contributes to the development and diversification of the national economy by adding 60 One billion Saudi SAR to the GDP in 2040, and the creation of thousands of qualitative, high-value jobs in science, technology and innovation".
In order to ensure the growth and prosperity of the sector, the research, development and innovation sector has been restructured and a supreme committee headed by the Crown Prince has been formed to supervise the sector and define national priorities and aspirations for research, development and innovation in the Kingdom, and the establishment of the Research, Development and Innovation Development Authority, which will act as an enabler, legislator and regulator for the sector, and will develop programs projects, distribute budgets and monitor performance.
The best national and international talents will be drawn to realize these ambitions. In addition to strengthening cooperation with research centers, international companies, the non-profit sector and the private sector, which are considered a key partner to lead research and development and increase investment in the sector.
The Kingdom adopted its four national priorities for the research, development and innovation sector, namely: human health, environmental sustainability and basic needs, leadership in energy and industry, and future economies; For its competitive advantages and its eagerness to face the most important challenges facing man, and to secure the future of future generations to make these priorities a compass to guide all projects and future efforts of the sector.
"Human health" was one of the national priorities due to the Kingdom's interest in human health and its advanced infrastructure for scientific research and its possession of the best health care system in the region, in addition to the existence of an expanded genetic database and other competitive advantages.
Through these priorities, the Kingdom aims for a better life, to face health challenges in the world, to find solutions to chronic diseases, and to provide the highest standards of health care for members of society by providing distinguished digital health care and supplying it to the world with the latest pharmaceutical technologies based on biotechnology.
To contribute to eliminating the challenges of water shortage and food security in the world, and based on the Kingdom's leadership in the production of desalinated water globally, and its leadership of major initiatives to preserve the environment; Through the priority of "Environmental Sustainability and Basic Needs", the Kingdom seeks to become a global model in preserving the environment and providing the basic human needs of water, food and energy in a sustainable manner, through the development of environmentally friendly technologies for water saving and desalination, modern and sustainable technologies for food production and increasing green spaces, and technologies Carbon capture, utilization and storage, as well as sustainable technologies for low-cost electricity production.
Saudi Arabia has natural resources and competitive advantages in the energy and industry sectors, and its leadership in the energy sector in the world. it is aims, through the priority of "leadership in energy and industry", to continue its leadership in energy markets and to make it a global industrial power by innovating technologies to produce alternative energy such as green hydrogen, solar energy and wind energy. Ensuring the sustainability of the demand for oil, and directing the industrial sector in the Kingdom to produce technologically advanced industries of high value, in addition to developing the mining sector in a competitive and sustainable manner.
In order to secure the life and future of future generations, and because the Kingdom possesses competitive advantages that enable it to reach priority and leadership, through its investments in future cities and projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea project, and what distinguishes it from its geographical location, promising young talents, and strong digital infrastructure, “ Future Economics” to be one of the priorities for the research, development and innovation sector. This priority aims to promote innovation in digital technologies in priority sectors, develop the future of life, build smart cities free of carbon emissions, explore the depths of the sea and build a global position for the Kingdom in the field of space.
Adopting national aspirations and priorities at this stage is an important basis for developing the national strategy for the research, development and innovation sector, which will be announced at a later stage. This will be followed by launching ambitious national programs based on research, development and innovation to solve the major challenges facing Saudi Arabia and the world. Its aspirations and priorities in the sector constitute a factor of attraction for interested researchers and entrepreneurs from within the Kingdom and around the world, as the Kingdom welcomes the participation of researchers and innovators and their joining it in the innovation journey.