With Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the current transformation the entire Kingdom is going through - its only right to be conducting the Future Investment Initiative as it fits perfectly within the strategy of the 2030 plan.
Conducted under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund, PIF. The primary focus of the FII is to provide a platform and place for all global experts to discuss current trends and profitable opportunities which will deliver positive and lasting impacts on the economy as a whole.
The event took place on the 24th of October till the 26th at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center and The Ritz Carlton in Riyadh. With more than 3500 participants from more than 88 countries - a group of around 170 speakers were leading discussions and debates revolving around three pillars which are, shifting the centers of power, the new investment paradigm, and innovation for a better world.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al-Saud started off the ceremony and welcomed everyone from all around the world while discussing the agenda for the coming three days regarding topics and debates. He has then moved on to his most significant announcement which was the new mega-city called "NEOM" which is to be located in the northwestern corner of the kingdom over an area of 26,500 sq. km, with 469 km of shoreline on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. The sunlight and wind the area received makes it possible for its entire energy needs to be met by renewables.
The conference was most certainly an advertisement for the Neom project and a few noticeable changes such as Saudi women in colorful garments instead of their traditional black Abaya, and Sophia the first Saudi Robot citizen are all positive outcomes based on social and economic liberalization and next-generation innovation which is to move the kingdom away from the constraints of traditionalism into fascinating yet unsure horizons of science and technology.