Dhahran Shortlisted to Host the IASP World Conference 2026
We are delighted to share that Dhahran – specifically, Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV) Science Park, supported by KFUPM, and in partnership with KACST – is one of three cities shortlisted to host the 2026 World Conference of IASP, the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation. Founded in 1986, with now over 350 members from 76 countries, including 11 in Saudi Arabia, IASP is the leading global network of innovation ecosystems.
On September 26, IASP members will choose one of the three shortlisted cities – Cannes in France, Dhahran in Saudi Arabia, or Edmonton in Canada – as their host for the 2026 World Conference during this year’s edition, taking place from September 24-27 in Nairobi, Kenya.
About the IASP World Conference
Every year, close to 1,000 leading experts across sectors and industries from global centers of excellence gather in a city of choice to advance innovation. The World Conference is a one-of-a-kind platform to network and exchange, building bridges between geographies, and forging borderless partnerships that contribute to scaling positive impact around the globe.
Each World Conference provides a rare opportunity for IASP members from across the world to come together to discuss and contribute to a timely, highly relevant theme. This year’s World Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, is devoted to the theme of “Demographics, Entrepreneurship, and Technology: Defining the Frontiers of Future Economies.”
Why host the IASP World Conference 2026 in Dhahran?
Home to world-class events
Saudi Arabia was chosen to host landmark events such as the 2025 Olympic Esports Games, the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and Expo 2030 Riyadh. The Kingdom is also the main bidder for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Easy to reach and well connected
IASP members from over 24 countries can reach the host city of Dhahran via nearby international airports in Dammam and Bahrain with flights of under six hours; more than 35 airlines operate direct flights. E-visas are also readily available.
Riyadh, the capital city and hometown of KACST – which IASP members are invited to visit as part of a sponsored trip on the fourth day – is conveniently located. It is a 1-hour flight, 3-hour road trip, and 4-hour train ride away from the host city of Dhahran.
Perfect for exploration
Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming a must-visit destination, having welcomed 27 million tourists in 2023, an almost 65 percent increase compared to 2022. The Kingdom’s many attractions include eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Temperatures during the autumn and winter months, which is when the IASP World Conference 2026 would take place, are mild: between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F).
Track Record in Innovation
Saudi Arabia is committed to annual investments in Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) worth 2.5 percent of GDP in 2040 as part of national transformation.
Since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, Saudi Arabia has made major achievements in diversifying the economy, empowering citizens, and attracting global investors.
State-of-the-art ecosystem
DTV Science Park is one of Saudi Arabia’s and the region’s first science parks. It is home to KFUPM, ranked by QS World Rankings as 4th in US patents, 5th in petroleum engineering, and 101st among universities globally. Alongside Aramco, it hosts top research center of over 30 leading global companies including Baker Hughes, Emerson, Halliburton, Honeywell, SABIC, Schlumberger, Schneider Electric, Sinopec, and Yokogawa.
KACST is the Kingdom’s premier National Lab and Science Park with 2,000 researchers, 950 advanced-degree holders, and 126 recipients of scholarships from the world’s 30 best universities. It is home to the Middle East’s largest startup district, The Garage; firms such as Boeing, Ericsson, and Lucid; and research partners such as Caltech, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford.
