What you need to know about this year’s FII conference in Saudi Arabia

World leaders and top business executives are gathering in Riyadh this week for the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Conference, one of the Kingdom’s flagship economic events.

As with previous years, the conference, often dubbed “Davos in the Desert,” brings together global bankers, CEOs, investors, and startups. However, this year’s edition will feature an expanded lineup of world leaders and high-profile sessions reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global finance and investment.

BlackRock Chairman and CEO Laurence Fink said it has been a privilege to participate since FII’s inception.

“I remain deeply committed to its mission of shaping a more forward-thinking global economy through meaningful dialogue with leaders who are redefining the future of our industries and societies,” Fink said.

Monday featured several invite-only, closed-door enclaves, while Tuesday marks the first major public day of the forum, headlined by Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who will deliver the opening remarks.

Day 1 Highlights

Sessions throughout the day will include prominent figures such as Pershing Square Capital Management CEO Bill Ackman, Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon, JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon, HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery, BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink, Saudi Awwal Bank Chair Lubna Olayan, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, and Carlyle Co-Chairman David Rubenstein.

World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will discuss the global shift from liberalization to managed trade and its impact on tariffs and trade routes.

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih will take part in a panel on geoeconomic friction, climate challenges, and aligning national strategies with private-sector resources, joined by Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Rania al-Mashat.

Later in the day, Qatar’s Finance Minister Ali Al Kuwari, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, and Turkish Finance and Treasury Minister Mehmet Simsek will discuss how financial leadership can reconcile national interests with international cooperation.

Aramco CEO Amin Nasser and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan are also set to speak at separate panels in the afternoon, while Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike will address Tokyo’s ambitions to revive its position as a leading global financial hub.

In the technology sector, Humain CEO Tareq Amin, Honeywell CEO Vimal Kapur, and Google President Ruth Porat will discuss the global race for AI leadership.

A highly anticipated session will explore the future of hospitality in Mecca and Medina, following Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to allow foreign investment in real estate in Islam’s two holiest cities.

Before the close of Day 1, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman will deliver remarks in a session titled “Competitively Energizing the New Economy: The Saudi Energy Buffet.”

He will be followed by a special address from Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.

Day 2 Preview

Al Arabiya English will publish a separate breakdown of Day 2’s sessions later Tuesday.

Among the expected speakers are Donald Trump Jr. and US Deputy Energy Secretary James Danly, who are scheduled to participate in panels on Wednesday.

From Alarabia website