RIYADH/STOCHOLM -UNS: In a momentous achievement for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab world, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has announced that Professor Omar Monis Yaghi, a distinguished Saudi scientist, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The honor recognizes his groundbreaking contributions to the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) — advanced materials capable of gas storage and water harvesting from air, with far-reaching applications in energy, climate, and sustainability.
The award is shared with Australian chemist Richard Robson and Japanese scientist Susumu Kitagawa, in acknowledgment of their pioneering role in establishing the field of reticular (network) chemistry — a discipline that has revolutionized modern materials science and opened new frontiers in environmental and energy research.
Gratitude to the Kingdom’s Leadership
In a statement following the official announcement from Stockholm, Professor Omar Yaghi expressed profound pride in representing the Kingdom and extended heartfelt gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
“This honor is a testament to the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to science and innovation under the wise leadership of King Salman and the visionary guidance of the Crown Prince through Saudi Vision 2030,” Yaghi said.
“I hope this achievement serves as an inspiration for the sons and daughters of the Kingdom to pursue excellence in scientific research, discovery, and innovation.”
Scientific Legacy and Global Impact:
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are among the most significant innovations in 21st-century chemistry. These crystalline materials possess unprecedented surface area and tunable porosity, enabling them to efficiently store gases such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and to extract water from air — even in arid climates. These properties have positioned MOFs at the forefront of climate-resilient technologies and clean energy solutions.
Professor Yaghi’s recent work has focused on deploying MOFs for water harvesting in desert environments, further advancing their role in sustainable development and environmental resilience.
Academic Background and Recognition:
Born in 1965 in Amman, Jordan, to a family of Palestinian heritage, Professor Yaghi pursued his early education locally before relocating to the United States, where he earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois. He currently holds the position of Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, one of the world’s leading institutions in scientific research.
Professor Yaghi is globally recognized as the founder of reticular chemistry, a discipline dedicated to designing and assembling molecular building blocks into precisely ordered structures — with applications spanning energy storage, smart materials, and environmental technology.
A Symbol of National Achievement and Vision 2030
This historic Nobel Prize win marks a pivotal moment for Saudi science, reflecting the Kingdom’s strategic investment in education, research, and innovation under Vision 2030. It affirms Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global contributor to scientific progress and a supporter of world-class research excellence.
The achievement of Professor Omar Yaghi stands as a source of national pride and a symbol of the Kingdom’s commitment to empowering its scientists, fostering intellectual leadership, and building a knowledge-based economy rooted in innovation and global collaboration.
