Saudi Arabia to Host 2027 World Conference of Science Parks and Innovation Areas
Dahran – Saudi Arabia, represented by Dhahran Techno Valley at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, has won the bid to host the 2027 World Conference of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP).
The announcement was made during the IASP General Assembly in Beijing, with the Kingdom prevailing over competing bids from Norrköping in Sweden and Chiang Mai in Thailand.
The conference will reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for innovation and highlight its growing strengths in energy, sustainability, and future technologies. It also underscores the Kingdom’s supportive environment for innovation and investment, with the event expected to attract more than 1,000 participants, including academics, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Dhahran Techno Valley secured 87 out of 118 votes from participating members, surpassing the 59 votes needed to win in the final round.
The 2026 IASP World Conference will take place in Sophia Antipolis, France, before the international spotlight shifts to Dhahran in 2027.