At the LEAP ’24 conference in Riyadh, Science Minister Andrew Griffith underscored the imperative for collaborative innovation between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.Griffith’s speech resonated with the promise of technological advancement and global cooperation.
Supported by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, ‘ LEAP24 is the largest gathering of the greatest minds in tech in the World , and showcases cutting-edge technology sectors, unveils government AI initiatives, and introduces the latest innovations.
Griffith lauded the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for its ambitious pursuit of science and innovation across diverse sectors, highlighting initiatives like NEOM, which epitomize the fusion of cutting-edge technologies and sustainable development goals.
Griffith emphasized Britain’s pivotal role in shaping the future of innovation. Boasting world-class universities and a thriving research ecosystem, the UK stands poised to collaborate with Saudi Arabia in realizing their shared vision for scientific excellence.
On Monday, March 4th, 2024, the UK and Saudi Arabia joined hands to boost science and tech. They signed a deal to team up on solving big global issues like food security and clean energy. With the UK’s top universities and Saudi Arabia’s tech ambition, they’re aiming for groundbreaking discoveries.
Crucially, Griffith dispelled the notion of innovation as a zero-sum game, emphasizing the mutual benefits of international collaboration. His highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Saudi Arabia as a significant milestone in fostering bilateral research partnerships. He encouraged British institutions to seize opportunities in the burgeoning Saudi economy, Griffith articulated a vision of shared prosperity through scientific exchange.
Riyadh inaugurated LEAP24, the globe’s premier technological exposition, on Monday. Over 1,800 exhibitors from around the world, alongside 1,000 technical experts and 600 startup enterprises, convened for this event.
This year’s edition has attracted a broader spectrum of major technical exhibitors globally, complemented by a lineup of esteemed speakers and international corporations. Among the distinguished participants are tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Oracle, Dell, Cisco, SAP, Amazon Web Services, Alibaba, Huawei, and Ericsson.
More than 30 governmental bodies are vying to present their advanced digital services through the “Digital Saudi Arabia” exhibition, a part of LEAP24’s activities, in collaboration with various government and private entities.
The event aims to bolster the Kingdom’s international standing as an innovative digital hub, spotlight successful digital transformation narratives, and underscore its significance regionally and globally. It also unveils prominent digital government services aimed at enhancing quality of life and fostering competitiveness.
Government agencies and national firms will exhibit their digital offerings, leveraging innovative models powered by emerging technologies. The event will feature the signing of strategic agreements, the launch of new services, ministerial dialogues, and digital transformation workshops.
LEAP’s progression has been remarkable, with the value of launches escalating from $6.4 billion in its inaugural edition to over $9 billion in the subsequent one. Attendance has similarly surged from 100,000 visitors initially to surpassing 172,000 in the second year.