Riyadh: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) achieved in 2025 significant milestones in the research, development, and innovation ecosystem after carrying out a series of national initiatives and strategic projects aligned with the Kingdom's priorities in R and D and innovation. These efforts enhanced Saudi Arabia's scientific and technological readiness, strengthened its global competitiveness, and thereby supported the achievement of Vision 2030 goals.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the year also witnessed a historic national achievement, as Prof. Omar Yaghi, advisor to the President of KACST, received the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, becoming the first Saudi to win this global award. This milestone reflects the rapid advancement of the Kingdom's scientific and research capabilities and highlights the pivotal role KACST plays in supporting advanced scientific research.
KACST strengthened its international presence by being re-elected as a regional representative member of the Governing Board of the Global Research Council (GRC), confirming its leading position in supporting the scientific research ecosystem both regionally and internationally, in addition to winning the presidency of the WANA region in the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP).
As the national center for research laboratories and a reference in the fields of technology, its transfer, and localization, KACST has focused its efforts toward supporting the Kingdom's priorities and applying them in vital sectors. In order to strengthen national capacities, transfer and localize technology, and promote innovation in areas including water, energy, oil and gas, logistics, health, and information technology, it has launched 20 initiatives. KACST also established innovation centers to foster innovative products and boost manufacturing capabilities as part of the National Industries and Logistics Development Program (NIDLP).
KACST's research efforts have resulted in the launch of the Middle East's first-of-its-kind Electric Vehicle Innovation Center, in partnership with Lucid Motors; the Advanced Mineral Resource Knowledge Lab, in partnership with Ma'aden, to support the Kingdom's mining sector; and the Joint Food Security Center of Excellence, established with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Wageningen University of the Netherlands, serving as a strategic hub for innovation and developing solutions to the challenges facing the food system.
In partnership with Aramco, KACST established the Quantum Valley to operate the Kingdom's first quantum computer. It also created an investment fund with Tadaamun Investment Company to support and empower deep-tech startups and launched the Accelerating Research to Commercialization Program to help researchers and innovators turn their ideas into marketable products. Additionally, KACST inaugurated a virtual center for innovation in desalination technologies in collaboration with the Saudi Water Authority (SWA) and King Abdulaziz University to promote environmental sustainability and utilize advanced materials and renewable energy.
The Saudi Arabian Internet Exchange, 'SAIX,' recorded a new achievement by joining the Terabit Club, becoming the first exchange in the MENA to surpass a data traffic level of 1 terabit per second. This contributes to improving connection speeds and data exchange. In addition, smart digital platforms that rely on AI and remote sensing technologies to manage crowds in the holy sites have been launched, along with a high-resolution imagery platform to highlight the beauty of the Kingdom's geographical and tourist landmarks. A platform has also been introduced to enhance the readiness of SMEs to adopt 4IR technologies. Furthermore, the Saudi Quantum Network Alliance was launched to strengthen the Kingdom's leadership in secure communications and advanced technologies, as well as the Academic Roaming service to enable researchers to securely connect to international research networks.
The release added that KACST implemented more than 40 strategic research projects, including the development of a 5G communications network using Open Ran technologies, building the first genome of the endangered Arabian leopard, developing technologies for cultivating saffron and producing its flowers within 10 days, manufacturing 30 electronic chips specialized in deep tech, in addition to carrying out comprehensive surveys of vegetation cover that resulted in the registration of 8 new plant species in the Kingdom, inventing a smart multi-compartment capsule to improve treatment adherence, and developing an environmentally friendly smart trap strategy to reduce the spread of mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever.
In 2025, KACST continued to strengthen its leading role as a national laboratory and innovation park by providing 2,045 technological services and consultations to governmental, private and non-profit entities, distributed across health, environmental sustainability and basic needs, energy and industry, and future economies. Its research facilities were also made available to researchers and innovators, allowing them to leverage the capabilities of national and central laboratories as well as advanced research labs, further advancing the Kingdom's scientific and technological achievements.
KACST obtained 18 patents during this year in the field of innovation, bringing the total number of its patents to 757. It also unveiled 130 new deep tech innovations and published 291 research papers in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, KACST granted three technology licenses to the private sector and eight to startups, aiming to maximize the impact of research and development outputs and transform them into promising technological solutions that contribute to diversifying the national economy.
In the field of entrepreneurship support, KACST enabled entrepreneurs to transform applied research outputs into innovative products that contribute to the national economy and promote sustainable development. Through the KACST Ventures Program (KVP), 46 startups were launched in areas such as nanomaterials, robotics, AI, and energy technologies, earning several awards at local and international forums. Additionally, KACST obtained an industrial license to establish the Kingdom's first local titanium powder production plant, a significant move demonstrating the role of research ecosystems in driving national industry.
KACST expanded the scope of its strategic partnerships by signing 17 cooperation agreements with local and international entities in areas including deep tech, genomics, precision medicine, advanced materials, electric vehicle battery manufacturing, semiconductor chips, gaming and e-sports, space data, AI, IoT, and smart supply chains. These partnerships aim to enhance production efficiency, strengthen local content, and achieve the goals of Vision 2030.
In the area of emerging technologies adoption readiness index, KACST achieved an advanced level among the top 20 government entities, in addition to obtaining a number of international accreditation certificates in the fields of advanced manufacturing, nanomedicine, and microbiology in recognition of its commitment to quality standards in implementing research and manufacturing processes.
As a result of its research efforts, KACST has received several local and international awards. These include the King Abdulaziz Quality Award, recognizing its institutional excellence and contributions to strengthening the research and innovation ecosystem; the Inspiring Solutions Award from IASP for the KACST Startup Program (KVP) initiative; the King Salman Global Academy Prize for Arabic Language in the Institutions category for Arabic Language Computing and Service through Modern Technologies; first place in the Global Projects Excellence Award for its innovative 5G network project; and the NDLB Excellence Award for its Electric Vehicle Innovation Center.
More than 60 knowledge-based activities and training programs in the field of human capital development and national capacity building, targeting researchers and specialists in AI and robotics technologies, advanced manufacturing for semiconductor technologies, and the Certified Research Professional Program were implemented by KACST through Academy 32. These initiatives benefited more than 2,400 participants. In addition, KACST implemented the Generation of Research and Innovation Enrichment Program 2025, which engaged 90 students and resulted in the achievement of 12 medals at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX).
During the year, KACST organized a number of scientific events that contributed to strengthening the Kingdom's position within the global research, development, and innovation ecosystem. Most notably, the hosting of the 13th Annual Meeting of the GRC for the first time in the Middle East, with the participation of more than 200 representatives from 66 countries worldwide, as well as the 3rd Saudi Forum for 4IR. It also organized the 19th Forum of the International Lithosphere Program, showcasing recent developments in technologies for exploring hydrocarbon and mineral resources in the Kingdom; the workshop Groundwater Sustainability: From Recharge to Recovery, which discussed the latest technologies and sustainable practices for groundwater recharge and restoration; the GenAI for Materials Discovery Hackathon; and the first Saudi 'Chipathon,' aimed at developing talent in integrated circuit design.
KACST participated in a number of local and international scientific forums, including the 16th UNCCD COP 16, the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum, the G20 Chief Science Advisers' Roundtable (CSAR), the Annual IASP Conference, the Global Health Exhibition, and the Biban Forum, in addition to its participation in the Absher Conference and the ceremony honoring the winners of Almarai Scientific Creativity Award.
In 2026, KACST will harness its research efforts and capabilities to continue achieving accomplishments and localizing strategic technologies, to provide innovative solutions with a sustainable economic impact, thereby enhancing the Kingdom's global competitiveness and achieving national priorities for research, development and innovation in line with the goals of Vision 2030.