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Al-Omar: Modern technology key to safeguarding historic radio archive.
Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Information and Culture Omar Al-Omar said the project to develop the Ministry of Information’s radio archive forms part of ongoing efforts to preserve Kuwait’s national media heritage using the latest technical systems and standards.
Al-Omar made the remarks in a speech during the project’s inauguration on Wednesday, attended by Austrian Ambassador to Kuwait Ulrich Frank and Ministry of Information Undersecretary Dr Nasser Muhaysen. The project is being implemented by Awlad Abdulaziz Abdulmohsen Al-Rashed Company in cooperation with Austrian firm NOA, which specializes in multimedia archiving and digitization, with the aim of preserving and digitizing radio content using advanced technologies.
The minister stressed that safeguarding national media heritage through modern systems ensures the sustainability and accessibility of radio materials, describing them as an integral part of Kuwait’s cultural and historical memory. He added that the initiative reflects the depth of relations between Kuwait and Austria and their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in the media, cultural and technological fields in line with developments in modern media work.
Al-Omar noted that the Ministry of Information continues to implement development plans aimed at upgrading its technical infrastructure and enhancing capabilities in production, broadcasting and digital archiving, in line with the state’s broader drive to build a modern and efficient media system. He also emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships with specialized international institutions, which he said are essential to improving institutional performance, developing national talent and enhancing the quality of media services. For his part, Ambassador Frank said the project reflects the strong level of cooperation between Kuwait and Austria in cultural and technical fields, expressing his pleasure at participating in the launch of an initiative that contributes to preserving Kuwait’s media heritage.
He noted that the Radio Kuwait archive contains thousands of recordings documenting key stages of the country’s history, including musical works, programmes and diverse audio content. He said digitization and long-term preservation efforts would help safeguard these materials and improve accessibility for future generations, while modern systems would ensure their preservation and usability. Frank added that cooperation between Kuwaiti entities and Austrian specialized companies would support the completion of the digitization process using advanced technological solutions.
Meanwhile, Director of Radio Engineering at the Ministry of Information and project team leader Issa Al-Enezi told KUNA that the project coincides with the 75th anniversary of Radio Kuwait, which has played a key role in documenting the country’s development and cultural history. He said the project is based on three main pillars: cataloguing and classifying radio content, digitizing the archive according to the highest technical standards, and building a comprehensive database to facilitate access to archived materials. He described the initiative as a transition from traditional archiving to digital sustainability, ensuring preservation for future generations.
Chairman and CEO of Al-Rashed Group Abdulaziz Al-Rashed said the group’s role extends beyond implementation to supporting strategic national initiatives that advance development and digital transformation in Kuwait. He said the partnership with the Ministry of Information and Austrian company NOA represents a model of integration between national expertise and global technology, contributing to high-quality national projects and supporting Kuwait’s digital transformation agenda. The inauguration ceremony included a video presentation outlining the project’s implementation phases and archiving processes, as well as a tour of the facilities showcasing the digital preservation systems in use. — KUNA
source/content: kuwaittimes.com (headline edited)
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KUWAIT: Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Information and Culture, Omar Al-Omar and other officials are pictured during the project’s inauguration on Wednesday.- KUNA photos
Breakthrough advances programmable drug delivery through nanoscale protein engineering, say researchers.
Scientists at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have engineered nanoscale particles capable of transporting six proteins into living cells, where they work together as a miniature “drug factory” to produce violacein, a bioactive compound under study for therapeutic use.
The findings, detailed in a press release published recently on KAUST’s news site, offer an early demonstration of how future therapies might one day generate treatment compounds directly inside the body, only where they are needed.
Researchers said the approach could eventually allow treatments to act more precisely at the site of disease while reducing unwanted effects on healthy tissue.
Published in the journal Advanced Materials, the study combines nanotechnology, materials science and bioengineering to tackle a longstanding medical challenge: delivering multiple proteins into cells simultaneously so they can perform coordinated biological functions.
Researchers packaged six proteins inside porous, sponge-like particles known as metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, creating what they described as synthetic organelles — engineered structures that mimic functions found in living cells.
Once inside mammalian cells, the proteins remained active and worked sequentially to convert a simple amino acid into violacein. According to the researchers, it is the most complex multiprotein system yet delivered into living cells and the first example of a “protein pathway transplant.”
“It was a bit of a moonshot,” said Raik Grunberg, senior research scientist at KAUST and one of the study’s corresponding authors.
“Protein delivery into the cell is difficult enough for individual proteins, so researchers usually do not even try with more than one or two. What we show here is that we can take a whole integrated protein system … and bring it into human cells as one functional unit.”
Niveen Khashab, professor of chemical science at KAUST, said the team overcame major technical hurdles after conventional MOF materials caused proteins to lose activity.
“By engineering a more porous, sponge-like framework, we were able to create an environment where the system could finally work as intended,” she said.
Researchers said the platform is designed to be adjustable, allowing scientists to fine-tune how proteins interact inside cells and potentially paving the way for programmable therapies tailored to specific diseases.
Stefan T. Arold, professor of bioscience at KAUST and another corresponding author, said the project demonstrated how combining expertise across biology and materials science could unlock new therapeutic approaches.
Although the work remains at an early stage and requires further validation before clinical use, the researchers said it points toward future treatments capable of producing beneficial compounds directly inside diseased tissue while minimizing side effects elsewhere in the body.
The KAUST team plans to test the system next in animal models as part of ongoing efforts to explore its therapeutic potential.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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The breakthrough offers an early proof of concept for therapies that could one day generate treatment compounds directly inside the body at the site of disease. (KAUST News photo)
Tunisian researcher Emna Harigua has been honoured with Tunisia’s 2025 Best Female Scientific Achievement Prize for her innovative drug discovery work powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
In recognition of women’s essential contributions to science and innovation, Harigua, who holds a doctorate in biomathematics, bioinformatics and computational biology, was awarded the prestigious prize by Tunisia’s Ministry of Family, Women, Children and Seniors as part of the celebrations for the country’s National Women’s Day, observed on August 13. Her achievements include leading research in AI-powered drug discovery through a national node in the Global South AI for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Network, a global initiative supported by IDRC and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Harigua, a scientist at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia, and principal investigator of the BIND project (Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence for Infectious Diseases), is leading an AI-powered platform that accelerates research against some of the world’s most persistent infectious agents that pose health risks.
Her research targets neglected tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis and malaria, combining bioinformatics, AI and experimental validation to shorten the drug discovery timeline and reduce costs. The BIND project has already identified nine novel anti-Leishmania drug candidates, with three now in pre-clinical validation. In addition, the team launched CidalsDB, an open-access AI platform for drug identification, marking a step forward in global efforts toward open science and collaborative health research.
“This award is not just a personal milestone — it’s a recognition of the potential of African-led science to tackle global health challenges,” said Harigua.
Beyond her lab, Harigua is a strong advocate for building Africa’s capacity in computer-aided drug discovery and ensuring that cutting-edge technologies serve the health needs of African communities. Her work — presented recently at the International Science Council during a workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya, on the impact of emerging technologies on science systems — underscores a vision where innovation, collaboration and inclusion drive the future of medical research.
source/content: idrc-crdi.ca (headline edited)
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Fourat Thamine, Institut Pasteur Tunisia. / Tunisian scientist Emna Harigua receives national recognition for her AI-powered drug discovery platform.
Riyadh-based academics’ findings on broad beans being tested in US.
At the same time when the Fifa World Cup is being held in South Africa, another fascinating tournament of sorts has been held in Singapore — a “medical championship”, so to speak, on broad beans.
Tens of scientists from all over the world presented and discussed research and papers in the first international conference titled: “Neuro Talk 2010: from Nervous Functions to Treatment”, held from June 25-28.
Scientists and doctors from 30 countries discussed brain and nervous system malfunctions and diseases, Professor Mustafa Abdullah Mohammad Saleh, consultant neurologist at the College of Medicine at King Saud University in Riyadh, who attended the conference, told Gulf News.
He said the conference discussed the latest methods of treatment by gene and stem cell therapy.
“The conference discussed a paper on the scientific discovery we have recently made and which was published in the US medical journal about the therapeutic potential of broad beans in preventing epileptic fits,” he said. Western news reports had earlier said that professor Saleh and his countryman, Ali Ahmad Mustafa, professor of pharmacology at the College of Medicine at King Saud University, had discovered that broad beans have a positive effect on epilepsy treatment.
Plant extracts
The two Sudanese scientists agreed in research on the treatment of epilepsy using plant extracts, to conduct joint research to decide the anti-convulsant substance in broad beans that prevents convulsions.
Professor Saleh’s discovery about the characteristics of broad beans in treating epilepsy is currently being tested in the labs of Harvard University.
He said his discovery was sparked by his observation that epilepsy cases among schoolchildren in Sudan who eat foul (broad beans) for breakfast (and sometimes dinner) rated between 0.9 per cent and one per cent per 1,000.
This figure is remarkably lower than that in countries which do not eat broad beans like North and South America which was about 2.6 per cent per 1,000 students and other African countries which was two to three times higher than that of the Americas.
“This is how I got the idea that broad beans must contain a substance that protects against epileptic convulsions. I immediately started the research work with my colleague, Professor Ali Mustafa,” he said.
Professor Saleh said they injected a group of mice with strychnine and picrotoxin, two drugs which cause convulsions leading to death, while they fed another group of mice with a fluid made of foul before giving them the two drugs.
“Convulsions and deaths from strychnine were decreased by about 66 per cent in the group of mice which were pre-treated with foul,” he said.
Professor Saleh said the rate of protection was 100 per cent in the mice which were given both foul and valium before they were injected with strychnine.
He explained that following this and other experiments, a drop of broad bean concentrate was examined by a form of chemical analysis (chromatography) and compared with drops of phenobarbitone (anticonvulsant drug), valium and glycine substance.
“The drop of foul had the same speed as that of glycine,” he concluded.
Professor Saleh had earlier discovered, along with other scientists, a new inherited gene which causes muscular myopathy. This gene has been named after him as ‘Salih myopathy’.
Should scientists look into people’s lifestyle around the world for treatments on different diseases? Is this discovery proof that people should start eating less processed food and more whole food?
Arab Women in Science Platform: Igniting a Collective Spark for Gender Equality in Science.
On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science and Technology, the Arab Women in Science Platform was officially launched on February 1, 2024, in Alexandria, Egypt. The enchanting event hosted by the UNESCO Regional Office of Egypt and Sudan / Liaison office with the League of Arab States and the Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) at AASTMT Main Campus in Abu Qir brought together over 150 high-level participants from diverse generations and fields, including natural sciences, human and social sciences, to discuss challenges faced by women scientists in the Arab region and explore strategies to advance women’s participation in science, technology, and innovation through the new Arab Women in Science Platform initiative.
A compelling initiative driven by the voice of Arab women scientists themselves, shaping a brighter future in the world of science
The figures remain dramatic. According to the UNESCO Science Report, women still account for only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% of computer science graduates worldwide. Women accounted for one in three researchers (33%) in 2018, just 5 years ago, and represent only 22% of professionals working in AI, the field of the future. Focusing on the Arab States, only 24% of senior management positions in science and engineering are held by women, and even though 47,3% of Egyptian universities STEM graduates are women, they only represent 38% of the STEM workforce (CAPMAS, 2018).
The Arab Women in Science Platform, launched one year after the call of the Egyptian and Sudanese women scientists’ made during the “Paving the way for Women Leadership in Science” dialogue in February 2023, to empower women in natural and social sciences across generations in the Arab region. It offers both online and offline spaces for women scientists to connect, share experiences, and access career-enhancing programs, including mentorship and training. Additionally, the platform raises awareness of gender stereotypes in science and advocates for gender-transformative policies and open science, with Arab women scientists actively involved in shaping the initiative.
10 & 11 February: Igniting a collective spark for gender equality in Science
The launch event featured insightful conversations, two panel discussions, and a workshop to structure the new community of Arab Women in Science, assess the platform prototype and identify innovative pathways to ensure inclusivity and foster systemic transformations in the scientific realm, and promote gender equality and support women scientists across the Arab region. Discussions and exchanges led to key recommendations that in the development of the platform include:
Translating the Arab Women in Science Platform into an inclusive, accessible, attractive, clear and interactive website.
Creating a strong community of Arab women scientists and men allies by investing heavily at the outset.
Actively engaging with the private sector and the industry to ensure initiatives’ financial sustainability and women scientists’ employment.
Addressing the professional challenges and opportunities of women scientists in the Arb region with a focus on research and training accessibility, women role models, gender stereotypes and displaced women scientists ‘support.
UNESCO office in Cairo also wish to acknowledge and warmly thank the bravery of women scientists in sharing their experiences and the difficulties they have encountered throughout their career, with a special thank to the Sudanese scientists, directly and violently impacted by the civil war.
Hearing the Voices of Arab Women Scientists: A National Surveys
Who better to shape the future of science in the Arab world than those who have dedicated their lives to its pursuit? These remarkable women, pioneers in their respective fields, embody the very essence of scientific exploration and discovery. Their voices, resonating with passion and dedication, hold the key to unlocking the full potential of Arab science.
UNESCO Office in Cairo recognizes that true empowerment stems from a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Arab women scientists. To this end, a participatory approach has been adopted, involving extensive consultations and a regional survey designed to capture the experiences and aspirations of these remarkable women.
The survey, now available, seeks to engage the voices of all Arab women scientists. UNESCO office in Cairo extends a warm invitation to all Arab women scientists to participate in this transformative initiative. Your voice matters.
Regional Director for the Guinness World Records in the Middle East and North Africa region Ahmed Bakr Meklad said Bahr Al Baqr wastewater treatment plant has received a Guinness World Records’ certificate for being the largest water plant in the world with a capacity of 64.8 cubic meters per second along with the use of ozone in the wastewater treatment process.
Speaking to “Good Morning Egypt”, Meklad said the plant has been established with the highest and best international standards.
The plant was inspected by Guinness World Records team of judges over a period of one year during which data were exchanged to review the plant’s competitiveness with similar projects.
The cost of this massive project is LE20 billion, and its daily capacity is 5.6 million cubic meters to be used in the reclamation of 400 acres in Sinai, he said.
Considered one of Egypt’s most important projects, the plant treats more than 2 billion cubic meters of wastewater per year which will be used to irrigate 1,400 sq km of land in Sinai. It is located east of the Nile Delta in the town of Bahr El-Baqar, about 35 km south of Port Said.
The project is set to improve water security, provide jobs, support communities, and reduce pollution for decades to come.
The plant comprises the pumping building of the water intake – rapid mixing basins – slow mixing basins – sedimentation basins – filters with discs – ozone basins – chloride tanks, treated water, sludge condensing basins – mechanical drying buildings – solar units for sludge drying and an administrative area which includes (headquarter building – employers building – mosque – generators – workshops – chemicals – chloride – ozone) – interior roads networks and landscaping.
Fully electric tugs have quickly emerged from a novelty in the industry and now Damen Shipyards Group and its client SAFEEN Group, part of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, have set a Guinness World Record as the Most Powerful Electric Tugboat. The vessel delivered earlier this year demonstrated what the companies are calling “unprecedented for a fully electric tug” and further the growth of this sector of the industry.
The record was set by measuring the bollard pull of Damen RSD-E Tug 2513 Bu Tinah, which achieved an average high peak pull of 78.2 tonnes. It is the first fully electric tug to operate in the Middle East and now has the unique distinction of the unique honor by a world-recognized body for record keeping. Launched in 1954 as a promotional idea for the Guinness Brewery, the Guinness Book of Records (today Guinness World Records) is an often-quoted source of data.
“This Guinness World Record achievement demonstrates that the transition to alternative energy does not come at the cost of performance,” said Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, CEO – Maritime & Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group. “We are very proud that the first electric tug in the Middle East is also making waves on a global level with this accolade and the fact that in parallel it is improving the sustainability of our operations alongside cost efficiencies in terms of overall fuel saving is extremely important.”
The record-breaking performance took place at Khalifa Port, AD Ports Group’s flagship facility where the tug is a key component of AD Ports Group’s Marine Services fleet and its electrification strategy.
The RSD-E Tug 2513 according to Damen is designed with a focus on sustainability. It offers zero emissions from tank to wake playing a significant role in reducing emissions.
The RSD-E Tug 2513 builds on the already efficient design of the diesel propulsion RSD Tug 2513. The spec sheet highlights a 320 gross ton tug with a length of 24.73 meters (81 feet). It is designed to operate at a speed of up to 12 knots and can be recharged in two hours.
The vessel can operate with a crew of just two or three persons or a maximum of up to sic and can be customized with options for oil and pollution control or fire fighting.
The electric version according to its spec sheet is very similar to the earlier diesel version which has a maximum bollard pull of 80 tonnes. It operates at a speed of 12.6 knots.
Damen has been at the forefront of electric tug development, including delivering the world’s first electric harbor tug, aptly named Sparky, in 2022 to Ports of Auckland. It won the prestigious “Tug of the Year” at the 2022 International Tug and Salvage Awards ceremony and pioneered the growing deployment of electric tugs in ports around the world.
source/content: maritime-executive.com
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Damen’s electric tug delivered to AD Ports set a new record for pull power for electric tugs (Damen) / Published Nov 12, 2024 7:44 PM by The Maritime Executive ________________________________________________
A satellite jointly built by Arab nations is a step closer to launch, with lift-off preparations complete.
More than 30 engineers from the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain and engineers and researchers from 11 other Arab countries helped to develop the 260kg Earth observation satellite called 813.
It was expected to be launched in June from China aboard a ride-share carrier rocket, but it is now scheduled for the last quarter of this year, according to state news agency Wam.
The project was announced in 2019 with the intention of bringing Arab nations together and increasing their space sectors’ capabilities.
The satellite is named after 813AD. That was the year that Baghdad’s House of Wisdom became a public academy and library. It would attract the finest minds and usher the Arab world into a period of intellectual advancement known as the Islamic Golden Era.
Engineers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan, Kuwait, Oman and Lebanon have taken part in the satellite’s development.
Amar Vora, head of space for Serco Middle East, told The National in an earlier interview that the project was a “powerful signal from the Arab world”.
“Much like Europe’s model under the European Space Agency, where long-standing co-operation has transformed Europe into a space leader, this satellite shows that Arab nations can also leverage collective strength to advance strategic capabilities,” he said.
“It brings together engineers, scientists, researchers and policymakers across the region in a way that builds not only hardware, but human capital, sovereign capability and institutional trust.”
The satellite will enter a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 550km to 650km, where it will help to capture data on agriculture, natural resource management and environmental monitoring around the world.
Engineers installed a hyperspectral imaging payload system in the satellite, which will allow in-depth analysis of soil conditions, water quality, crop health, land cover changes and pollution levels.
All stages of the satellite, including its design, assembly, integration and environmental and functional testing, were completed at the university’s National Space Science and Technology Centre.
It has also developed an operational system on campus so that data from the satellite can be received, processed and converted into maps and scientific resources that will be available for researchers and university students.
“Contributing to mitigating climate change” is the great challenge that Aziza Sidi Bouna, a 32-year-old Mauritanian renewable energy engineer, has set for herself. To achieve this, she has developed an innovative solution: producing biogas from animal, plant, and domestic waste. She is a pioneer in her field and is determined to revolutionize this sector in Mauritania. In 2019, she launched SBGAZ, a start-up specialized in valorizing agricultural and livestock by-products.
Regularly, she roams the markets of Nouakchott, the capital, in search of this precious raw material. “Until today, cow dung, excrement from certain ruminants like camels, were undervalued in my country. I wanted to change that,” explains this dynamic entrepreneur. “You can find the raw material everywhere: on the farm, in the village, at the slaughterhouse, and of course, at home. It is an almost inexhaustible source,” she adds. In fact, in Mauritania, livestock production is one of the pillars of the national economy. It represents more than 15% of GDP, which is thousands of tons of animal waste per year. It is more than enough to produce huge quantities of biogas.
A Source of Clean Energy
Once collected, livestock manure is placed in a biodigester, a natural solution for recycling organic waste, which allows for the production of a combustible gas, biogas, and also a highly effective fertilizer, digestate. “Production lasts between 15 and 45 days, depending on the season,” explains Aziza Sidi Bouna.
“Our biogas has the advantage of being carbon neutral. We don’t use any fossil energy to extract the gas. It’s called methanization, and it’s 100% carbon natural.”
Aziza Sidi Bouna, Founder and CEO of SB-GAZ
“We started designing several biodigester prototypes in 2019,” she continues. “The resulting biogas is a clean energy that can be produced cheaply. It’s much less expensive than propane gas traditionally used for cooking.” And to demonstrate this, the engineer highlights an irrefutable argument: with one kilogram of cow dung, according to her, one can produce gas for one to two hours of gentle cooking.
But that’s not all. Aziza Sidi Bouna’s biodigesters also transform organic waste and excrement into biological fertilizer, which is excellent for increasing agricultural yields. And she affirms, “Out of 100 kilograms of organic waste digested by the machine, we recover 10 kilograms of manure that is as good as or even more effective than chemical fertilizer.”
It Runs in the Family
Aziza Sidi Bouna is not alone in her ambitious project. Her right-hand man and the technical director of SBGAZ is none other than her father, Ahmed Sidi Bouna. As a rural economics engineer, he is particularly proud of his daughter, whom he has always supported, especially in a country where women are often confined to domestic work. Together, they aim to popularize biodigesters throughout society. Thanks to funding from the International Committee of the Red Cross, they have installed several biodigesters in the Mbera refugee camp, providing relief for families in their daily struggles. In Bassikounou, in the southeast of the country, SBGAZ’s first industrial biodigester is up and running, and “almost daily, more than 200 households come to fill their biogas bottles,” says Aziza. “With a USD150,000 grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), I hope to achieve my dream of providing a clean and accessible source of energy to all Mauritanian and Sahelian households in the future,” she adds.
An Alternative to Fossil Fuels
This dream is within reach and, if realized, would have a tangible impact. In fact, the widespread use of biodigesters in Mauritanian households would reduce dependence on fossil fuels such as oil or coal, which are imported mainly from abroad. This would also reduce the emissions of fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. “With my project, I want to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the future of our children and our planet. This is the challenge of our century, and it is my responsibility as an entrepreneur,” says Aziza.
Protecting the environment by producing green energy is thus Aziza Sidi Bouna’s promise, and she hopes to create hundreds of new jobs through the development of this new sector. The young woman already employs five workers aged 28 to 45, including two women, “and many more in the future,” she says confidently. Aziza believes in the future, not just for herself but for all her country’s youth. She wants her journey to serve as an example for all the young people in Mauritania and beyond. “I want to change the mindset of the youth here, in the Sahel, and even in Africa. We, young people, have the power to make a difference,” concludes Aziza Sidi Bouna.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the World Laureates Summit, the largest global gathering of Nobel Prize winners and recipients of other prestigious scientific awards.
Also present at the inauguration were His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
The World Laureates Summit, which commenced today and runs for three days, brings together more than 100 scientists and participants, including Nobel laureates, recipients of major international scientific awards, and leaders of research institutions.
It coincides with the World Governments Summit 2026, taking place from 3 to 5 February, with 3 February designated as a joint day that brings laureates together with heads of state and government, ministers, and leaders of international organisations and institutions participating in the World Governments Summit.
During the summit, Their Highnesses were briefed on key discussions involving a distinguished group of Nobel laureates and researchers from various vital disciplines, affirming the summit’s role as an international scientific platform for dialogue focused on long-term strategic thinking and multidisciplinary cooperation. The summit supports the role of basic sciences in addressing global challenges at a time of mounting economic, social, and political pressures and an urgent need for innovative solutions to sustain development efforts and ensure the continuity of humanity’s civilisational progress.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan highlighted that scientists are essential partners in shaping the future and that investing in knowledge and scientific research is the key to navigating global challenges. His Highness stated that the UAE will remain a global platform that brings visionaries and thinkers together and supports innovation in service of all of humanity.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed continued by stating that science and scientists are at the core of the UAE’s vision for the future, extending from the belief that countries that make knowledge a national priority are the ones capable of leading global transformations and shaping a better tomorrow.
His Highness added that the World Laureates Summit reflects the UAE’s efforts and unwavering commitment to building a comprehensive scientific ecosystem that enhances quality of life and lays the foundations for sustainable prosperity rooted in solid scientific principles.
His Highness remarked that the world today faces major challenges that require unconventional solutions, underscoring the importance of this major scientific gathering. His Highness stated that the responsibility of scientists today extends beyond the confines of research centres, as they must become active partners in decision-making and in shaping development-focused policies.
His Highness expressed his hope that this scientific dialogue would contribute creative solutions to global challenges, ensuring the sustainability of resources for future generations. He added that the UAE will continue to strengthen its role as a bridge connecting scientific outputs with the needs of societies while supporting scientific research and the development of emerging technologies in service of peace and development.
Science is the Wealth of Nations
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum affirmed that the UAE has been, and will continue to be, a nexus for visionaries and bold ideas. “Convening 100 scientists and Nobel Prize laureates in the World Laureates Summit is our way of saying: Civilisation happens when we appreciate science and scientists. Our goal is to open the doors wide for innovators so they can turn the impossible into tangible reality.”
His Highness added: “Science is the true wealth of nations, and scientists are the architects of humanity’s future. The UAE embraces bright minds, empowers researchers and offers the space to turn ideas into accomplishments.
His Highness stated: “People are our greatest asset. Through science, we can forge a better future for all. The UAE continues to establish itself as a global hub for science and knowledge and a magnet for talent and creative minds from around the world, driven by our belief that investing in people is key to achieving sustainable development and shaping the future.”
Investing in Knowledge and Science
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Governments Summit, said in his opening remarks at the World Laureates Summit that the vision of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has made the UAE an incubator for intellect and a meeting point for global thought leaders, praising His Highness’ continued support for science and scientists.
His Excellency Al Gergawi said the UAE believes that building a nation cannot be achieved by relying solely on resources, but also on people, and that the greatest investment in the future is an investment in knowledge and science. His Excellency noted that a nation that prioritises science and believes strongly in knowledge as the shortest path to prosperity and in research and openness as integral to its foundations is a strong nation capable of achieving and sustaining excellence.
His Excellency added that humanity’s journey of knowledge is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and the aspiration for longer, healthier lives require new scientific approaches. He pointed out that conventional boundaries separating physicists, computer scientists, and biologists are beginning to dissolve, stressing that, where such boundaries continue to exist, society must overcome and redefine them.
His Excellency Al Gergawi affirmed that the World Laureates Summit draws its value and historical significance from being held at a pivotal time marked by political shifts, rapid technological acceleration, and unprecedented economic pressures amid growing concern about humanity’s future. In such moments, he said, the role of scientists is not secondary, but critical.
His Excellency concluded: “Our gathering today sends a message of hope to humanity: Despite the negative noise filling the world, human beings are still capable of choosing the path of reason and of working to improve this world. This is where the spirit of the UAE echoes the spirit of this scientific gathering, as neither sees the past as a ceiling or finish line but the future as a responsibility. Both believe that hope is not awaited but created, and that progress does not happen by chance, but as the result of collective action, clear vision, and faith in human potential.”
His Excellency Al Gergawi thanked the attending scientists, whose presence makes them part of a future that is more humane, just, and knowledgeable. He concluded: “Your being in the UAE today, in the presence of our leadership, will help shape a better future for humans and a healthier, more advanced planet.”
New WLA base in the UAE
Professor Roger Kornberg, President of the World Laureates Association (WLA), Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2006) and Professor of Medicine, Stanford University, revealed WLA plans to launch a new base in the UAE, bringing together scientists from around the world and positioning the UAE as a global hub for scientific collaboration, research, and innovation.
Prof Kornberg stated: “The UAE is not following the future of science—it is setting its direction.”
Delivering the opening remarks for the World Laureates Summit, Kornberg described the event as a remarkable and unprecedented gathering in its scope, diversity and breadth.
Kornberg said: “This joint summit is also unprecedented in another way: it places science alongside government, industry, and finance. Scientists rarely have the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers at this level and on this scale. Here, we create a space where discovery and decision-making meet.”
Kornberg added: “In organising this summit, our goal was not only to explain science, but to address questions of broad societal importance. This is reflected in the sessions you will see over the coming days: Can AI actually discover anything? Can science save the Earth? Are we approaching the end of disease? These questions help ensure that science is not only understood but heard far beyond these halls.”
He added: “This is where the partnership with the World Governments Summit is so important. By convening the world’s leaders, the WGS ensures that the voice of science reaches decision-makers at the highest level.”
Knowledge as a driver of progress
Wang Hou, Executive Director and Secretary-General of the World Laureates Association, stated that the UAE’s deep appreciation for science and of its people’s belief in knowledge as a driver of progress are the reasons that helped the World Laureates Summit convene with great success.
He expressed his sincere thanks to members of the World Laureates Association for joining the summit, noting that their work has shaped human understanding of the world and continues to advance humanity in profound and lasting ways.
Hou stressed that the world stands at a pivotal moment that demands joint efforts for the future of humanity and the advancement of modern science. He highlighted the UAE’s hosting of the World Laureates Summit as a major step on this path, stating: “From the UAE, the future of science is not observed—it is shaped. Here, knowledge leads policy, and discovery is translated into global progress.”
The World Laureates Summit, organised in partnership between the World Governments Summit and the World Laureates Association, is the largest scientific gathering of its kind. It brings together an elite group of laureates who are recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, the Wolf Prize, the Lasker Award, the Fields Medal, and the Breakthrough Prize, alongside other recipients of prestigious international scientific awards.
The World Laureates Association comprises 187 leading scientists, including 78 Nobel laureates, as well as recipients of the prestigious scientific honours.
The summit’s agenda features a high-level programme centred on the theme “Basic Sciences: Scientific Consensus for Addressing the Challenges of Humanity” and includes keynote addresses, plenary sessions, specialised forums, strategic roundtables, and extended dialogues spanning a wide range of fields – most notably artificial intelligence and machine learning, quantum science and nanotechnology, biotechnology and genomics, data science and cryptography, and neurotechnology.
Discussions focus on how fundamental sciences contribute to governance and economic systems, how emerging technologies can be developed responsibly, and how international scientific cooperation can be strengthened in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
The first day’s agenda, in addition to the opening ceremony, included the AI Sciences Forum, the forum titled “AI Science Forum: Can AI Discover Anything?” and the Disruptive Technologies Forum, the New Energy Forum, and the Scientific Discovery Forum.
The second day’s agenda includes nine forums: “Six Senses and The Brain Forum”, “Genetic Science Forum”, “Life Sciences Forum”, “Physics Forum”, “Hospital Leaders Forum”, “Blockchain Science Forum”, “Carbon Materials Forum”, “Nuclear Physics Forum”, and “University Leaders Forum”.
The third day features the Young Scientists Forum, as well as joint sessions between the World Governments Summit and the World Laureates Summit.
