Date 20/05/2026

Saudi Arabia participated today with a joint delegation from the Research, Development and Innovation Authority and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, headed by H.E. Dr. Munir M. Eldesouki, President of KACST, Acting Governor of the Authority, and Vice Chair of the Governing Board of the Global Research Council, in the 14th Annual Meeting of the Global Research Council 2026, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in the presence of H.E. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Suhaibani, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Thailand.

The opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Professor Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand, who welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of the meeting in strengthening international cooperation and knowledge exchange among research councils and funding organizations around the world.

During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Eldesouki delivered remarks on the importance of Open Science in expanding access to knowledge and building a more inclusive research ecosystem. He emphasized that Open Science supports a research ecosystem that recognizes linguistic and cultural diversity, while giving local expertise a greater role in contributing to global knowledge production. He also noted that Saudi Arabia’s experience in Open Science highlights the importance of aligning global principles with local realities and the needs of research communities.

He also stated that the success of Open Science requires practical enablers, including funding, infrastructure, and the development of research assessment mechanisms. He noted that its implementation requires a balance between openness and the protection of privacy, data security, digital sovereignty, and compliance with national regulations.

The Global Research Council Annual Meeting discussed the 2026 Statement of Principles on Open Science and the Joint Call to Action on Open Science and Research for Sustainable Communities, as part of international efforts to expand access to knowledge, strengthen research collaboration, and connect scientific research with the needs of communities.

The Global Research Council is an international platform that brings together research councils and research funding organizations from around the world. It seeks to enhance communication and cooperation among them, promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices, support high-quality research collaboration, and enable scientific and research institutions to develop their capabilities in line with international best practices.