Kyoto: President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Eldesouki participated in the 14th Global Summit of Research Institute Leaders, held as part of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum in Kyoto, Japan. The summit brought together global research leaders, policymakers, and international experts to discuss emerging scientific and technological challenges.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Eldesouki emphasized the vital role of trust in science as a foundation for the acceptance, application, and support of scientific knowledge, especially amid the rapid technological changes and global uncertainty shaping today's world. He noted that Saudi Arabia views science as both a tool for discovery and a bridge connecting cultures and nations. As the Kingdom's national laboratory and home to innovation oases, KACST remains committed to addressing challenges related to research security, integrity, reproducibility, and equitable access to scientific resources.
Dr. Eldesouki highlighted Saudi Arabia's efforts to strengthen trust in science through ethical governance frameworks that protect data and research infrastructure, as well as significant investments in advanced research facilities and open-access platforms that promote global collaboration, data verification, and transparent sharing of results. He also pointed to initiatives that expand equitable access to scientific resources, including the Saudi Research and Innovation Network (Maeen), national research and education networks, and the Kingdom's active participation in initiatives such as Saudi Green, the Saudi-GCC Initiative, and COP16 on combating desertification-all aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
He further noted that AI represents a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's national transformation, with the Kingdom rapidly emerging as a global hub through strategies that prioritize responsible AI use, talent development, and advanced digital infrastructure. Dr. Eldesouki cited key national initiatives, such as the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which leads AI integration across sectors, and NEOM, which serves as a living model for AI applications in urban planning, mobility, and sustainability. These efforts, he explained, are helping enhance transparency and predictive insights in scientific research, while underlining the need for clear international standards to ensure fair and inclusive use of AI technologies.
Dr. Eldesouki reaffirmed the Kingdom's readiness to collaborate with the international scientific community to ensure that science continues to serve as a unifying and trusted force for humanity. He called for global alignment on standards for research security and integrity, greater investment in infrastructure that supports reproducibility through AI, and inclusive participation in the production and exchange of knowledge, paving the way for a more reliable, equitable, and sustainable scientific future.