His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday stressed the importance of adopting a global policy and having appropriate infrastructure to support scientists, both men and women, especially young people.

In a video message to participants at the seventh World Science Forum, held in Budapest, Hungary, King Abdullah described scientific efforts as the driving force for the survival of communities as well as the means to achieve distinction.

“We cannot build the inclusive, sustainable future the world needs, without the spirit, momentum of discovery and innovation that this forum represents,” His Majesty told participants.

“Today, worldwide, cooperation and inclusion are just as urgently needed. There is no dignity in possessing the scientific means to alleviate suffering in our world, if we lack the political and diplomatic will to act,” the King noted.

His Majesty asserted Jordan’s commitment to supporting national capabilities in the fields of technology and encouraging innovation, adding that the Kingdom welcomes hosting the 2017 World Science Forum.

Organised every two years, the forum is one of the world’s major science events.

At the end of the forum’s session, Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Royal Scientific Society president, took over presidency of the 2017 forum. In remarks on the occasion, she underscored His Majesty’s message and the need to support scientists, in light of their contributions towards building a better future.

The 2015 World Science Forum was held this year under the theme “the enabling power of science” to examine and highlight the ways in which science improves quality of life for the benefit and advancement of society.

Organised in cooperation with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, UNESCO, the International Council for Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the World Academy of Sciences and the European Academies Science Advisory Council, the forum provided a chance to explore how science can improve people’s lives and aid in entrepreneurship and policy making.

A Jordanian delegation participated in the forum, alongside scientists, politicians, decision makers and representatives from around the world.