A new chapter in marine science and conservation has begun in Saudi Arabia with the official launch of OceanQuest, a non-profit foundation established to drive deep-ocean exploration, international collaboration, and innovation in ocean research. The announcement was made last week in Jeddah and posted on OceanQuest’s LinkedIn page. Based at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, OceanQuest aims to contribute to the global understanding of marine ecosystems, while also aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). The foundation is committed to accelerating the pace of ocean discovery, supporting cross-border scientific partnerships, and raising public awareness about the ocean’s role in environmental and human wellbeing. Its work will span the fields of oceanography, biotechnology, climate science, and sustainable development. “Saudi Arabia is a country built on progress and driven by innovation,” said Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Chairman of the OceanQuest Board of Trustees. “OceanQuest reflects our ambition to lead in scientific discovery and foster meaningful global cooperation that benefits both people and the planet.” Meanwhile, the CEO of OceanQuest, Martin Visbeck, praised the “critical” mission…
