His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Riyadh Professor Omar bin Mounis Yaghi, a scientist specializing in chemistry, on the occasion of his winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2025. During the reception, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince offered his warmest congratulations to Professor Yaghi on this distinguished scientific achievement, stressing that this victory represents a source of pride for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Islamic worlds.
His Highness praised Professor Yaghi's distinguished research efforts in the field of reticular chemistry, a branch of chemistry that he helped establish and develop. The Crown Prince expressed his best wishes for Professor Yaghi's continued success in his scientific career, noting that the Kingdom, under Vision 2030, places great importance on supporting scientists and innovators and stimulating scientific research as a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development and building a knowledge-based economy.
Background on the achievements of Professor Omar Yaghi
Professor Omar Yaghi, a Jordanian-American scientist, is one of the leading chemists of our time. He has gained international renown for his pioneering research in the design and synthesis of new classes of compounds known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs). These materials are based on the construction of three-dimensional porous crystalline structures at the molecular level, giving them unique properties and exceptional ability to store, separate, and purify gases and liquids. His work can be likened to building microstructures using "molecular bricks," opening new horizons in materials science.
The importance of the award and its expected impact
Professor Yaghi's Nobel Prize win is not merely a personal honor, but also carries significant strategic implications on multiple levels. Locally , this achievement reinforces the Kingdom's position as a regional hub for science and innovation, perfectly aligning with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030. This recognition also serves as an inspiring message to young Saudis and researchers, encouraging investment in advanced scientific fields. Regionally , this victory instills hope within the Arab scientific community, highlighting the immense potential of Arab minds when provided with the right environment and support. Internationally , Professor Yaghi's research applications offer promising solutions to pressing global challenges, such as climate change through carbon capture technologies, the energy crisis through efficient hydrogen storage, and water scarcity through the development of systems capable of extracting water from the air, even in the driest regions.
