Riyadh, June 01, 2022, SPA -- The Governing Board of the Global Research Council has unanimously voted for representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) President Munir bin Mahmoud El-Desouki to assume the post of vice chair of the governing board, as part of its meeting currently held in Panama as part of the 10th annual meeting of the council. El-Desouki’s appointment in this leading post is the first time for a representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Middle East and North Africa, which highlights the prominent status of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its scientific institutions on the map of research and development in the Middle East and North Africa and at the international level and its influential role in enhancing development based on science, knowledge and innovation in light of restructuring the research, development and innovation sector and preparing new trends for the sector under the supervision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, who is also President of the Higher Committee for Research, Development and Innovation. KACST participated in the council as a member since its establishment upon the approval of the King and chairs its periodic regional meetings for the Middle East and North Africa. --SPA 19:58 LOCAL TIME 16:58 GMT 0032 www.spa.gov.sa/w1741440