King Abdulaziz city for Sciense and technology (KACST) is interested in developing cooperation with Kazakhstan

On May 22, 2023, H.E. Mr. Berik Aryn, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia, met with Dr. Munir Al-Desouki, the President of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) .

During the meeting, the parties discussed the development and strengthening of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia in the field of science, innovation and technology.

Dr. Munir M. Al-Desouki, having familiarized with the activities of the Science and Technology City and plans for the development of the scientific and technical potential of the Kingdom, expressed KACST's readiness to establish close cooperation with Kazakhstani research institutes and centers including in the space industry in various fields of science and technology. According to him, Saudi Arabia today is actively working on the exploration and development of outer space, and therefore is interested in establishing partnerships with Kazakhstan, which has some experience in this industry.

In his turn, Ambassador B. Aryn spoke about the development of Kazakhstani science and its achievements over 30 years of independence, as well as about the existing scientific and technical potential of the country and its adaptation to modern global conditions. He also informed about the upcoming major international scientific and educational events in Kazakhstan, including the preparations for the Ministerial Meeting of the OIS-15 Dialogue Group scheduled for May 25-26, 2023 in Almaty, which unites the most advanced scientific and educational technical sphere of Muslim countries.

The Kazakh diplomat congratulated the leadership and all the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia on the successful dispatch of two Saudi astronauts to the international space station, in particular the first woman astronaut of the KSA, Ryan Barnawi, boarding on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on May 21, 2023, and wished the astronauts a safe return to earth after the successful completion of their mission.

In addition, the Ambassador acquainted the President of the KACST with the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the establishment of the International Agency for Biological Safety, which was announced on September 20, 2022 during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. In this regard, he noted that the COVID-19 pandemic showed the need to take urgent measures aimed at reducing biological risks and threats, and the prospect of launching a multilateral biological weapons control system is of particular relevance.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to develop specific proposals for the development of bilateral cooperation in various areas of science and technology, innovation, space exploration, etc. of mutual interest.

KACST is a unique independent government organization with full responsibility for the development of science and technology in Saudi Arabia, as well as the coordination of scientific research and the efforts of various institutions in the Kingdom.

There are 35 large institutes and centers conducting research work in areas important to the mankind In the KACST, such as mathematics and physics, energy, petrochemistry, space and astronomy, nuclear energy, radioactive waste, biotechnology, nanomedicine, nanotechnology, robotics, information technology , ecology, etc.