Riyadh: The International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) has elected King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) to the presidency of the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Region, in recognition of its pioneering role in supporting the innovation ecosystem and advancing a knowledge-based economy at both regional and international levels.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the announcement was made during the region's annual conference, hosted today by KACST at its headquarters in Riyadh, with the participation of innovation-park leaders. The participants discussed ways to develop innovation parks across the region, strengthen international partnerships, and exchange expertise on mechanisms for knowledge transfer and deep technologies. They also addressed the challenges facing innovation districts, including attracting investment and talent and developing policies that support entrepreneurship and startup growth.
This achievement, said a KACST press release, honors KACST's efforts in developing science parks and innovation districts in collaboration with its partners across the Kingdom's science and technology valleys. It also reflects the Kingdom's commitment to fostering partnerships among academic, research, and industrial entities to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build a knowledge and innovation-based economy.
Saudi Arabia's presidency of the region will enhance regional cooperation and facilitate the exchange of expertise among member countries. It will also support joint technology and innovation initiatives, empower startups seeking to expand into regional markets, and connect them to global networks of science parks and innovation districts.
Senior Vice President of KACST for Innovation Parks Dr. Khalid Al-Dakkan emphasized that this achievement marks a qualitative shift in regional leadership and strengthens the Kingdom's international presence in science, technology, and innovation. The regional presidency grants KACST membership on the IASP's Board of Directors, enabling it to participate in shaping global initiatives related to innovation and sustainable development, attract international investments and partnerships that support the knowledge economy, and showcase its national achievements in scientific research and innovation.
Dr. Al-Dakkan noted that the Kingdom has worked to enhance its science and technology parks through the National Alliance of Science Parks and Innovation Districts, established by the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority. The alliance has helped align visions and connect government and private entities, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors, thereby maximizing the outcomes of science and technology parks in the Kingdom.
The WANA Region is one of six regions under the IASP, comprising 36 members from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Morocco, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The region seeks to support the transition to an innovation-based economy and to strengthen connections among government bodies, private-sector entities, and universities to localize advanced technologies and facilitate knowledge exchange.
IASP is a leading global, independent, non-profit network comprising over 350 members, including science parks, innovation districts, incubators, and accelerators in 81 countries worldwide. The association focuses on empowering innovation ecosystems and enhancing collaboration among government, academic, and industrial entities to achieve sustainable development.