Omar Yaghi and the 2025 Nobel Prize: Saudi Arabia celebrates a global scientific achievement

In an exceptional scientific event that marks a pivotal moment in the history of scientific research in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) today celebrated Professor Omar bin Mounis Yaghi, winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This honor comes in celebration of him being the first Saudi scientist to receive this prestigious international award, and in recognition of his revolutionary contributions in establishing “reticular chemistry”, and his pivotal role as supervisor of the joint center of excellence in nanomaterials for clean energy applications between KACST and the University of California, Berkeley.

Global leadership in retinal chemistry

This achievement is not limited to winning the award; it extends to the profound scientific impact Professor Yaghi has had on the international community. Reticular chemistry, which Yaghi pioneered, is the cornerstone of the development of advanced materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). These materials are characterized by their high porosity and superior ability to trap and store gases, opening up vast possibilities for sustainable solutions in the fields of clean energy, water purification, and carbon capture from the atmosphere—a direct scientific response to global environmental challenges.

Vision 2030: An environment that fosters innovation

During the ceremony, which was attended by His Excellency Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Al-Dasouqi, President of KAUST, Professor Omar Yaghi emphasized that this achievement was not a coincidence, but rather the fruit of the unlimited support from the wise leadership – may God protect them. He pointed out that the Kingdom's Vision 2030 has created a stimulating research environment that has enabled scientists to move from the stage of theories to practical application, thus contributing to building a strong knowledge economy that places the Kingdom among the scientifically and technologically advanced nations.

Artificial intelligence and the future of materials discovery

The celebration included honoring the winning teams in the “Artificial Intelligence Materials Discovery Hackathon,” which reflects the fusion of chemistry and modern digital technologies. The following teams were recognized for their innovative efforts:

• First place: Team (NajdGenesis-Al) for a Saudi platform for generative artificial intelligence to create hybrid biomaterials for capturing carbon dioxide.
• Second place: The (Fabricator.ai) team for an artificial intelligence system for designing and manufacturing materials based on metal-organic structures.
• Third place: Team (Prime-MOF) for the project using large language models to predict the stability of metal-organic frameworks.

Inspiring the next generation of scientists

The event concluded with an inspiring dialogue session between Professor Yaghi and a select group of talented students and young researchers. During the session, he reviewed key milestones in his scientific career, offering invaluable advice on the importance of building a solid scientific foundation in the early stages and the necessity of patience and perseverance in scientific research. This meeting underscores the Kingdom's commitment to transferring knowledge and expertise from leading international scientists to young national talent, ensuring the sustainability of innovation and development in the future.