Kingdom Re-Elected Global Research Council Regional Representative

   Riyadh, November 04, 2025, SPA -- The heads of research councils in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, participating in the annual meeting held in Cairo from October 14 to 16, voted unanimously to re-elect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) President Dr. Munir El-Desouki, as the regional representative member for the MENA region at the Global Research Council (GRC) governing board for a three-year term.
   This election underscores the Kingdom’s leading position in supporting the scientific research ecosystem regionally and globally, and it reflects the regional research community’s confidence in the Kingdom’s leadership role in fostering scientific collaboration, supporting joint research initiatives, and contributing effectively to shaping the future of research and innovation at both regional and global levels.
   The decision further strengthens the Kingdom’s international presence in research, development, and innovation, reaffirming its position as a key partner in advancing sustainable scientific progress. It is fully aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and supports the national aspirations toward building an economy based on knowledge and innovation.
   Since its establishment in 2012, the Kingdom has represented the MENA region on the GRC. The KACST president also serves as governing board vice chair. In 2025, the Kingdom hosted the council’s 13th annual meeting, the first ever to be held in the region, reflecting the Kingdom's prominent standing and the distinguished role of its scientific institutions on the regional and global research and development roadmap, as well as its active contribution to promoting innovation.
   -- SPA