On the night of crowning young minds and promising talents, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Khalid bin Salman delivered the speech of creative students during the closing ceremony of the “Creativity 2026” exhibition, stressing the commitment to give their all for the advancement of the nation, and to continue to carry its flag high in the forums of science and knowledge around the world.

In his inspiring speech, Prince Abdulaziz summarized the year-long, passionate competition, saying, “We meet today filled with enthusiasm and ambition after a year-long journey of competition, filled with laboratories, research, judging sessions, and anticipation of results—a journey fueled by hope and guided by ambition: hope for excellence and ambition to raise our nation’s flag and represent it globally.” He noted the overwhelming response to the competition, with 357,000 students from across the Kingdom participating, armed with knowledge and a strong competitive spirit, emphasizing that everyone who reached this advanced stage was a winner.

“Creativity”: A national platform for discovering innovative minds

The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity “Ibdaa,” organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity “Mawhiba” in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, is one of the most important national initiatives aimed at discovering and nurturing scientific talent in the Kingdom. The Olympiad aims to provide a stimulating competitive environment that encourages male and female students in general education to engage in scientific research and innovation, developing their skills and abilities, and preparing them to compete at both the local and international levels.

Strategic importance within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030

This initiative holds significant strategic importance as it directly aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the Human Capital Development Program. By investing in young minds and nurturing their talents, “Ibdaa” contributes to building a generation capable of leading the knowledge economy and driving sustainable development. Prince Abdulaziz praised the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the follow-up and plans of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying: “A great nation and a wise leadership have established a means for every goal and a path for achieving every objective.”.

From local to global: A distinguished representation of the Kingdom

The impact of “Ibdaa” extends beyond the local scene, serving as a gateway for Saudi talent to reach global recognition. Winners of the National Olympiad qualify to represent the Kingdom at the most prestigious international events, most notably the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the United States, the world’s largest pre-college science competition. Saudi students have achieved historic milestones at this fair in recent years, winning dozens of awards that have solidified Saudi Arabia’s position as a rising power in science and innovation, embodying the ambition expressed by Prince Abdulaziz to raise the nation’s flag high across the globe.

In a move reflecting the great appreciation that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has for science and scientists, His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received in Riyadh the Saudi scientist Professor Omar bin Mounis Yaghi, on the occasion of his winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2025, in a historic achievement that adds to the Kingdom’s record full of successes on the international stage.

During the reception, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince extended his sincere congratulations to Professor Yaghi on this distinguished scientific achievement, emphasizing that his winning the award is a source of pride for the entire nation. His Royal Highness commended the professor's tireless efforts and pioneering research in the field of chemistry, which led to this prestigious international recognition, and wished him continued success in his scientific and research career.

Background of the achievement and the importance of Professor Yaghi's research

Professor Omar Yaghi is one of the world's leading chemists and a pioneer in reticular chemistry. He is credited with developing new classes of chemical compounds known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs). These materials are characterized by their exceptional ability to store various gases and molecules thanks to their microporous structure, opening up vast possibilities for revolutionary applications in numerous fields. His Nobel Prize is the culmination of a decades-long scientific career during which his research has transformed fundamental concepts in materials science and chemistry.

Local and international impact of the award

Domestically, this achievement represents a significant boost to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes scientific research, innovation, and human capital development. The Crown Prince's recognition of Professor Yaghi sends a clear message to Saudi youth and researchers that the leadership supports excellence and appreciates their contributions, thus motivating future generations to pursue careers in science and technology. Regionally and internationally, this accomplishment strengthens the Kingdom's position as a leading center for scientific research in the region and highlights the contributions of Arab and Muslim scientists to global progress. Furthermore, the potential applications of Professor Yaghi's research, such as carbon capture to combat climate change, hydrogen storage as a clean fuel, and highly efficient water desalination, are of paramount importance in addressing shared global challenges.

The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has announced the launch of its annual Ramadan sales season, a proactive step aimed at regulating the market and meeting the increased consumer demand before and during the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The season is scheduled to officially begin next Sunday, corresponding to 13 Sha'ban 1447 AH (February 1, 2026), and will run for 54 consecutive days, concluding on 7 Shawwal 1447 AH (March 26, 2026).

General context and the commercial and cultural importance of the season

This announcement comes in light of the significant cultural and economic importance of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia. The holy month is a peak period for commercial activity, with consumer spending rising considerably. Saudi families prepare for Ramadan by purchasing a wide range of goods, from food and Ramadan beverages to new clothes, gifts, and Eid necessities. Organized sales seasons have become an integral part of these annual preparations, eagerly anticipated by consumers who take advantage of special offers and ease the financial burden on their household budgets.

Details of the initiative and its expected impact

The ministry explained that this extended period of discounts, which includes both traditional retail outlets and online stores, primarily aims to encourage consumers to plan their purchases in advance and shop early. This initiative is expected to help avoid the heavy congestion that markets typically experience in the days leading up to Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, thus providing a more comfortable and safer shopping experience for everyone. Economically, the initiative is anticipated to stimulate sales in the retail sector, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and foster healthy competition among retailers to offer the best deals and prices.

A regulatory mechanism to protect consumer rights

To streamline procedures for shop owners, the Ministry clarified that obtaining discount permits is done electronically through its official website. A key advantage is that the days of this season are not counted towards the annual discount allowance for each establishment. As part of its efforts to ensure the transparency of offers and protect consumers from deceptive discounts, the Ministry emphasized the ease with which any discount can be verified. Consumers can scan the QR code on the discount permit using their mobile phone camera to instantly view all permit details, including the discount percentage, duration, and the licensed establishment's information.

The ministry stressed that it will intensify its monitoring and inspection tours in all regions of the Kingdom throughout the season, to ensure everyone’s compliance with regulations and rules, to monitor any violations, and to take the necessary measures to protect consumer rights and enhance confidence in the local shopping environment.