FII9 Opens in Riyadh Under the Theme “The Key to Prosperity”

📷SPA

Riyadh, October 28 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) officially opened today at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Center in Riyadh under the theme “The Key to Prosperity.”

The event drew global attention, welcoming heads of state, ministers, officials from sovereign wealth funds, senior executives, and leading innovators from around the world.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the FII Institute, and Chairman of Saudi Aramco, delivered the opening address. He described FII as the world’s leading platform for visionaries who turn ideas and investments into tangible global impact.

“Deals worth more than $250 billion have been concluded through this platform since its inception less than a decade ago,” Al-Rumayyan said, calling on participants to elevate their impact further this year. He emphasized that the power of capital represented by decision-makers at the conference brings both great responsibility and opportunity to shape the future of the global economy.

Highlighting the rapid economic and technological transformations since last year, Al-Rumayyan said that governments and the private sector must act as partners in defining a new model of shared prosperity. “Governments cannot correct the course alone, and the private sector cannot bear the burden alone,” he stated. “We need global cooperation that keeps pace with a new era.”

He noted findings from this year’s FII annual priorities report, revealing a disconnect between personal optimism and collective concern: while 66% of respondents feel positive about their lives, only 37% are optimistic about the world’s future. “This gap between individual hope and collective doubt represents a warning,” he cautioned.

Al-Rumayyan proposed that technology, if made accessible to all, could bridge this divide. Yet, he warned that three in four people fear artificial intelligence will deepen educational inequality. “We cannot allow this to happen,” he said, underscoring the need to confront barriers to progress, as nearly 808 million people—about 10% of the global population—will live in extreme poverty in 2025.

He stressed the importance of harnessing global capital for security, stability, opportunity creation, and optimism, advocating for open markets and smart regulation.

Praising the Kingdom’s economic transformation, Al-Rumayyan said, “Under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Kingdom has set a new global standard for economic transformation through Vision 2030.” He highlighted 24% growth in foreign investment last year, reaching $31.7 billion, and said that Saudi Arabia has become a global destination through projects such as FII, Expo 2030, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

“The Kingdom’s wealth is not measured by numbers, but by human prosperity,” he added, noting that this week’s sessions in Riyadh will provide opportunities to forge partnerships that drive tangible progress worldwide.

Richard Attias, Acting CEO and Executive Committee Chairman of the FII Institute, also addressed the opening session, expressing pride in the institute’s success in creating a global community united by collaboration and innovation. He emphasized inclusiveness, bold ideas in health, artificial intelligence, and human development, and called FII “a force that succeeds when all participants share in creating transformation.”

This year’s edition brings together a record 9,000 delegates, including 2,000 members and media representatives from 130 countries, offering more than 100 sessions across four days.