Riyadh, December 9, 2024, SPA -- The Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA) has announced the launch of several strategic initiatives as part of Sustainability Innovation Week. These initiatives aim to bolster the role of the research and innovation ecosystem in addressing critical challenges related to environmental sustainability and the supply of essential needs, aligning with Saudi Arabia's broader objectives in water and food security.
Among the highlights is the initiation of national missions focused on environmental sustainability and essential needs. Key targets include achieving over 50% self-sufficiency in food production by 2040, reducing reliance on non-renewable water sources by 90%, and cutting water production costs by 50% by 2035.
A National Roadmap for Sustainability and Supply of Essential Needs Innovation was also unveiled. This roadmap directs national research and innovation efforts toward addressing environmental and development challenges both locally and globally while strengthening water and food security. The roadmap fosters collaboration among government entities, private sector partners, and academic institutions to create an integrated framework for achieving these goals.
In recognition of excellence, the "Sustainability Research Excellence Award" was introduced to celebrate outstanding contributions in research and innovation. The award honors individuals who have significantly advanced knowledge locally and internationally. Among the awardees were distinguished researchers, including Professors Iqbal Ismail, Sameer Al-Sulaiman, Mohammed Al-Wabel, Youssef Al-Hafiz, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Noureddine Ghaffour, Syed Zubair, Ahmed Al-Amoudi, Abdullah Asiri, Omar Abu Rizaiza, Ibrahim Al-Mu’taz, and Mark Tester.
Further emphasizing its commitment to advancing research, the RDIA announced an allocation of SAR 120 million to support research grants for 2024. These grants aim to stimulate innovation and fund projects that align with national sustainability priorities. Additionally, the 2025 Research Grants Programs for Sustainability were introduced, focusing on enabling researchers and innovators to contribute to food, water, and environmental security. The programs include the Saudi Basic Sciences Program, the Saudi Applied Research and Technology Program, the Saudi Emerging Investigator Program, and the Entrepreneurial Research Program.
The RDIA also launched the "National Research and Development Alliances Focused on Water and Food," uniting 60 leading organizations from Saudi Arabia and across the globe. This initiative aims to align research efforts and foster collaboration to address global challenges in water and food security, ensuring their sustainability in line with national priorities.
In a celebration of innovation, leading companies such as ACWA Power, the National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC), and the National Environmental Recycling Company (Tadweer) were honored for their commitment to transforming ambitious solutions into practical applications that support the Kingdom's water and food security goals.
--SPA
21:17 Local Time 18:17 GMT
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