Sheikh Mohammed Congratulates Jordan’s Omar Yaghi on Nobel Chemistry Prize
Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has congratulated Jordanian scientist Professor Omar Yaghi on winning the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, hailing his achievement as a source of pride for the Arab world and a symbol of regional scientific excellence.
Professor Yaghi’s recognition by the Nobel Committee highlights a lifetime of pioneering work in the field of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) — materials known for their potential applications in clean energy, water harvesting, and environmental sustainability.
Sheikh Mohammed shared his message of congratulations on his official account on X (formerly Twitter), noting that Yaghi had been honoured earlier with one of the Arab world’s most prestigious awards.
“A year ago, we honoured Professor Omar Yaghi with the Great Arab Minds Award in the field of Natural Sciences. Today, we congratulate him on winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.
Celebrating Arab scientific talent
Sheikh Mohammed praised the Jordanian researcher’s global recognition as a testament to Arab innovation and the region’s scientific potential.
“We congratulate Professor Omar — and before that, we congratulate the Arab world on these brilliant minds that make us proud before other nations,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
He reaffirmed that the Arab world possesses immense intellectual wealth and untapped potential that can lead global advancement in science and technology.
“The Arab world is rich in talent and intellect. Our message is to restore confidence in ourselves, in our youth, and in our scientists,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He also linked the Nobel win to the UAE’s wider efforts to inspire and support Arab talent through initiatives such as the Great Arab Minds Award, which aims to identify, empower, and celebrate extraordinary innovators across the region.
“This is our message through the Great Arab Minds Award and all our humanitarian and civilisational initiatives,” Sheikh Mohammed emphasized.
A visionary commitment to Arab innovation
The congratulatory message reflects Sheikh Mohammed’s long-standing vision to reignite the Arab world’s leadership in science, culture, and innovation. Through initiatives like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, the Museum of the Future, and the Great Arab Minds project, the UAE continues to invest in knowledge creation and global collaboration.
The Great Arab Minds initiative, launched in 2022 under Sheikh Mohammed’s patronage, is considered the largest scientific and intellectual movement in the Arab world. It seeks to discover exceptional Arab talent in fields such as science, medicine, economics, literature, and the arts, and to provide them with resources and platforms that enable global impact.
Professor Yaghi’s earlier recognition by this initiative — where he received the Arab Geniuses Award in Natural Science in January 2025 — was based on his breakthrough research in chemistry and sustainable materials. His inventions, particularly in MOFs, have opened new possibilities for carbon capture, hydrogen storage, and atmospheric water extraction, contributing directly to solving some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
A shared Arab success story
Born in Jordan and based in the United States, Professor Omar Yaghi is widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential chemists. His work has earned international recognition, including the Wolf Prize, King Faisal International Prize for Science, and now the Nobel Prize in Chemistry — affirming his leadership in molecular innovation.
Sheikh Mohammed’s congratulations underscore the UAE’s dedication to honouring Arab excellence beyond national borders. His message resonates as both a celebration and a call to action for the region to reclaim its historic role in scientific discovery and intellectual advancement.
In his post, Sheikh Mohammed reiterated that nurturing talent and encouraging discovery remain central to the Arab world’s progress:
“Our mission is to restore confidence — in our people, in our innovators, and in our thinkers. With knowledge, we rebuild our civilisations.”
Reinforcing the UAE’s role in global science
Through recognition of figures like Professor Omar Yaghi, the UAE continues to project itself as a beacon of scientific and cultural revival in the Arab world — a nation that not only celebrates global achievements but actively fosters them through strategic support and visionary leadership.
Professor Yaghi’s Nobel Prize, coupled with his earlier Great Arab Minds recognition, stands as a powerful symbol of Arab excellence — one that aligns with Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of a future where innovation, intellect, and collaboration guide the region toward sustainable prosperity.
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