This paper is derived from my ‘closing remarks’ lecture at the 287th Faraday Discussions meeting on New Directions in Porous Crystalline Materials, Edinburgh, UK, 5–7 June, 2017. This meeting comprised sessions on the design of porous networks, and their capture, storage, separation, conducting properties, catalysts, resistance to chemicals and moisture, simulation, and electronic structures. This paper details the achievements and developments in the field, as reflected in invited speakers’ papers and discussions with the attendees during the meeting.