RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has affirmed the importance of enhancing cooperative relations to diversify financing mechanisms for research and development in order to realize opportunities in the 21st century. Munir bin Mahmoud El-Desouki, supervisor of the founding team of the Saudi Research, Development, and Innovation Authority, said at the G20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering Summit in India that this would help create a more prosperous future for all. El-Desouki, the head of the Kingdom’s delegation at the summit, said that research and innovation contributed to achieving social and economic progress and sustainable development.