Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz , Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Salman Center for Disability Research affirmed that the significant support provided to the cause of disability by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz , has been and continues to be the foundation for the remarkable achievements witnessed in this vital sector. This statement was made during his inauguration of the first Disability Research Forum , held at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Riyadh under the theme "Researching Today... To Empower Tomorrow."
A national platform to promote research and innovation
The forum is a pivotal step in developing the scientific research system in the field of disability within the Kingdom, as it aims to highlight the latest scientific and technological developments, stimulate cooperation between researchers, practitioners and decision-makers, and promote innovations that contribute to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities .
The events began with a dialogue session entitled “Research Trends in the Field of Disability,” moderated by Dr. Ahmed Al-Askar, and attended by a number of academic leaders and researchers, including Dr. Bandar Al-Qanawi, Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad, and Dr. Stephen Loris, one of the most prominent scientists in brain and consciousness research.
Vision 2030 and the empowerment of people with disabilities
Prince Sultan bin Salman praised the pillars of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , spearheaded by MBS , which aim to create an inclusive environment that empowers people with disabilities and promotes their active participation in all aspects of life. He affirmed that the center operates in accordance with the vision by supporting applied research and developing initiatives that contribute to achieving comprehensive development and community empowerment.
International conference and global award
During the forum, Prince Sultan bin Salman announced the commencement of preparations for the 7th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation , under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques , scheduled for December 2026, with the participation of a select group of international experts and researchers. He also announced the launch of of the King Salman Global Award for Disability Research , which aims to recognize outstanding research achievements and stimulate global scientific competition to find innovative and sustainable solutions for people with disabilities.
Quality initiatives that support innovation
Prince Sultan bin Salman launched three major research initiatives: Innovation Valley , Targeted Research , and support for scientific publication in the journals Nature and Science . He explained that these initiatives represent an extension of the national approach to prioritizing disability issues within development, noting that their goal is to create a tangible and measurable impact on the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
National integration in service of scientific research
Prince Sultan also expressed his gratitude to King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences for hosting the forum, praising the strategic partnership between the university and the center in supporting scientific research and exchanging expertise. He emphasized that the forum represents an important scientific platform for strengthening national integration among researchers and relevant stakeholders, and for supporting the Kingdom's objectives in the areas of innovation and empowerment.
At the conclusion of the first dialogue session, the participating speakers were honored in recognition of their scientific and intellectual contributions.
