JEDDAH: The Saudi presidency of the Women 20 (W20) engagement group of the G20 is to be officially handed over to Italy for 2021.
The W20 brings together a transnational network of delegates representing nongovernmental women’s organizations, civil society, female entrepreneurs, businesses, and think tanks across G20 member states.
It works to ensure that gender considerations are mainstreamed into G20 discussions and translated into the annual G20 Leaders’ Declaration.
The W20 troika, which includes delegates from the previous Japanese presidency, Saudi Arabia, and the next host country Italy, along with other W20 members, will gather virtually on Saturday to mark the successful culmination of the Kingdom’s W20 presidency and officially transfer the leadership role to the Italians.
Participants will discuss the year’s accomplishments and ways to continue the momentum toward gender equality and women’s empowerment in 2021.
W20 chair, Dr. Thoraya Obaid, said: “Our work is far from done, and in the months and years ahead, we must keep women at the forefront of all decision-making. We look forward to working closely with the Italian delegation and are confident that they will continue to build on the W20 legacy.”
Incoming W20 chair, Dr. Laura Linda Sabbadini, said: “I am honored to take on the role of chair of the W20 engagement group in 2021, and I am looking forward to working with the troika to continue the momentum set by previous presidencies, especially following the leadership of W20 Saudi Arabia 2020.
“Although the (coronavirus disease) COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted women, they have shown their strength in many vital sectors which previously were not considered important.
“The W20 Italy will take on the challenge to ensure women are at the forefront of policies at global and national levels, and no woman is left behind,” she added.
Over the course of the W20 Saudi presidency, Al-Nahda Society, this year’s host organization, held a series of national dialogues in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province that were structured around the W20’s main focus areas, later transitioning to virtual meets due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
As the W20 presidency transitions to Italy, the Kingdom’s representatives, including those from Al-Nahda Society, will remain involved through their participation as delegates of Saudi Arabia to the W20 and as part of the troika to continue their critical efforts to empower women socially and economically.
In 2022, when Indonesia hosts the G20, the troika will shift accordingly to include Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Indonesia.
Saudi W20 to officially hand over presidency to Italy
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Saudi W20 to officially hand over presidency to Italy
- In Saturday meeting, participants will discuss the year’s accomplishments and ways to continue the momentum toward gender equality and women’s empowerment in 2021
Saudi scientific organization celebrates 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate Omar Yaghi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology honors him with a reception at its headquarters in Riyadh
- Yaghi, the first Saudi recipient of a Nobel Prize, shared the Nobel Prize with 2 other scientists for their pioneering work in molecular chemistry
LONDON: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh honored Omar Yaghi, the Saudi scientist and recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, with a reception at its headquarters in Riyadh on Thursday.
Yaghi is the first Saudi scientist awarded a Nobel Prize. He received it in December, alongside two other scientists, for their pioneering work in the field of molecular chemistry, and for contributions to energy, the environment and advanced materials.
He is also supervisor of the Center of Excellence for Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Applications, a collaboration between KACST and the University of California, Berkeley.
Munir Eldesouki, the president of KACST, said that the Kingdom is keen to recognize its scientific talents, in keeping with Saudi Vision 2030 and its goals relating to the fostering of scientific research.
Yaghi said he appreciated the support he had received from Saudi leaders during his career, and praised them for creating an enabling environment in which scientists are able to pursue world-class research, development and innovation.
Investment in national talent has created a research ecosystem that positions Saudi Arabia among the leading scientific nations, he added.
Thursday’s event, attended by the organization’s staff and students, also honored the winning teams from the recent “GenAI for Materials Discovery Hackathon,” which KACST organized in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley, and Academy 32, a nonprofit Saudi organization dedicated to research, development and innovation.
The celebration concluded with an interactive discussion session during which Yaghi talked with students and researchers, reflected on key milestones in his scientific journey, and shared insights into the factors that helped shape his career, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
