RIYADH, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud announced on Thursday national priorities in research, development and innovation in the next 20 years.

The national "priorities and aspirations" aim to boost the contribution of the sector to GDP to 60 billion Saudi riyals (about 16 billion U.S. dollars) in 2040, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two-decade plans cover human health, environmental sustainability, energy and industry pioneering, and future economies, it said.

The crown prince highlighted the ambition of Saudi Arabia to become a global innovation leader with spending in the sector amounting to 2.5 percent of the GDP by 2040.

As part of the plans, the Gulf kingdom will expand high-tech digital healthcare, develop water desalination, and facilitate alternative energy innovation, including green hydrogen, solar and wind.

A national strategy for the sector will be launched to pave the way for national programs to tackle local and global challenges. Enditem

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