HRH Prince Abdulaziz Ahmad Abdulaziz Al Saud

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz was born on June 20, 1963, and is married with two children. He graduated with a double major in Political Science and Business administration from King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1986. In addition, He has attended a number of training courses in senior and executive management which have played an important role in his success as a businessman.He is a leading humanitarian activist on the national, regional and international levels. He is the Founder and President of “IMPACT – Eastern Mediterranean Region” a leading Regional Non-Governmental Organization that is active in the field of Prevention of Blindness (PB) and Visual Rehabilitation and in supporting the activities of the Eastern Mediterranean Region of IAPB.  He is Board of Trustees Member in IAPB. He is also the founder and chairman of the Saudi National Prevention of Blindness Committee (NPBC). He is the founder of Abdulaziz Ahmad Abdulaziz Humanitarian Foundation.

In EMR region, his efforts led to the adoption of VISION 2020 initiative by all 22 countries in EMR by September 2004.  These efforts resulted in EMR becoming one of the leading regions in the implementation of VISION 2020 programs and plans, making it a model for other regions.

Under his leadership, the EMR played a leading role in making Prevention of Blindness a priority in the World Health Organization (WHO) activities with the passing of resolution WHA59.25 in 2006 and in the endorsement of the “Action Plan for Prevention of Blindness” that was successfully passed during the World Health Assembly in May, 2009.

HRH is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Middle East African Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO), the leading supranational ophthalmic organisation that includes all ophthalmic societies in Africa and Middle East including Iran and Turkey.  MEACO is one of four supranational societies officially recognized by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO), the global umbrella for ophthalmic societies. Under his leadership, MEACO has organized the World Ophthalmology Congress 2012 (WOC2012) with more than 10,000 attendees. It was the largest ophthalmic congress in the history of Middle East and Africa. The Congress was then organised in the years 2014, 2016, and 2018 and virtually because of the COVID-19 epidemic with 8500 attendees.

HRH’s dedication and personal devotion to the development of the ophthalmic profession and eye care has earned him admiration and appreciation from the regional and international eye care community. HRH was a Member of the Board of Directors of the International Council of Ophthalmology Foundation.  He is also the President of the Saudi Ophthalmological Society (SOS), the largest ophthalmic society in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries. He was the Chairman of the board of the International Federation of Eye Banks, a board member of Disabled Children Association of Saudi Arabia and the Chairman of the Finance Committee for the association.

• At the WOC2012 in Abu Dhabi, he was awarded the “Special Distinction Award” by MEACO in appreciation for his support to Ophthalmology and Prevention of Blindness efforts in the region.
• At the MEACO 2009 Congress, in Bahrain, he was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition to his role in the foundation and support of MEACO.
• He was also awarded the “Sharjah Voluntary Work Award” in 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, UAE.
• At the 8^th IAPB General Assembly, Buenos Aires 2008, HRH was presented with the special “President’s Appreciation Award” for his leadership in obtaining the WHO resolutions in support of Prevention of Blindness.
• In December 2007, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland awarded HRH its “Honorary Fellowship” in recognition to his dedication, commitment, and tireless work in the field of PB.
• He received the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award by the Emirates Ophthalmic Society in April 2005.
• He also received the Order of the TWO-NILES Medal by President of Sudan General Omar Al Bashir in November 2005.
• At the 7^th IAPB General Assembly, Dubai 2004, HRH was recognized with the “Global Lifetime Achievement Award” for his lifetime dedication and devotion to the Prevention of Blindness cause.
• He was awarded the Shield of the joint 4th International Conference for the Arab Ophthalmology Association and the 1st Bahrain Ophthalmology Conference in recognition of his regional and global efforts endorsing the ‘VISION 2020: The Right to Sight’ global initiative.

Furthermore, he received several other awards and recognitions in earlier years:

• In 2001 HRH was awarded the National Order of the Cedar in the grade of a Commander from HE Emile Lahoud, President of Lebanon, in appreciation to HRH’s efforts in the field of Prevention of Blindness and for establishing the Eye Bank in Lebanon.
• In May 1997, HRH was also awarded the Order of the star of Jordan 2nd Degree by His Majesty King Hussein Bin Talal King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
• In 1996, he was awarded the ‘Special Class’ Medal of the International Federation of Eye Banks, in Baltimore, USA.

His Royal Highness is a visionary, strategic thinker, and a committed Saudi entrepreneur, with strong business acumen. He is the Chairman of Atheeb Group and Chief Executive Officer of Atheeb Holding Company and affiliated companies. He is also a member of the Advisory Boards of Investment Funds, and a major partner in a number of leading Saudi Private and Joint Venture businesses and industries.

Moreover, Prince Abdulaziz shows great interest in Arabian horses and the preservation and development of its breeds. Established In 2003, the Athbah Stud for Arabian horses West of Riyadh, are among the elite stables in the world, famous for producing and developing pure Arabian horse breeds. The Athbah stud horses are registered with WAHO (World Arabian Horse Organization) and have achieved many international trophies and prizes in events ranging from beauty contests to flat races.