Saudi Scientist Professor Omar Yaghi Wins 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

📷SPA

Riyadh, October 7, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi scientist Professor Omar Yaghi has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, becoming the first Saudi national to receive the prestigious honor. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized Yaghi for his groundbreaking contributions to reticular chemistry and his pioneering development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) — innovations that have transformed materials science and opened new frontiers for clean energy, water, and environmental technologies.

Professor Yaghi, regarded as one of the world’s leading figures in the field of reticular chemistry, has authored more than 300 scientific papers, cited over 250,000 times, and has been instrumental in founding several international companies and initiatives focused on clean energy and advanced materials research.

His work has earned him numerous international accolades, including the King Faisal Prize in Science, Albert Einstein World Award of Science, Wolf Prize in Chemistry, Eni Award, Gregori Aminoff Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, VinFuture Prize, Ernest Solvay Prize, and the Great Arab Minds Award, among many other global honors and medals recognizing his leadership in scientific innovation.

On this occasion, Dr. Munir Eldesouki, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their continued support of the national research, development, and innovation ecosystem.

“Dr. Yaghi’s Nobel win reflects the wise leadership’s vision of making the Kingdom a global hub for science, knowledge, and innovation,” Dr. Eldesouki said. “It confirms that investing in creative minds is the path to building a sustainable future for humanity. His innovations in designing nanomaterials capable of extracting water from air are a remarkable example of how science transforms passion into impact.”

Professor Yaghi has been granted Saudi citizenship in recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements and his pioneering role in the fields of reticular chemistry and nanomaterials. The decision aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s objective of attracting world-class talent to advance the Kingdom’s capabilities in key scientific, technological, and economic sectors.

Yaghi currently serves as Co-Director of the KACST–UC Berkeley Center of Excellence for Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Applications, Advisor to the KACST President, and Board Member of the Research, Development and Innovation Authority.

His Nobel Prize win represents a landmark moment for Saudi Arabia’s scientific community, reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing global presence in research, innovation, and advanced technology.