Richard Atias: The eighth edition of the Future Investment Initiative conference will see deals worth $28 billion
Richard Attias, CEO and Board Member of the Future Investment Initiative Foundation, revealed that the eighth edition of the initiative will feature the announcement of investments from around the world and will set new records, noting that the value of the international deals to be announced is estimated at $28 billion across various sectors, including food, entertainment, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and sports.
At a press conference held to launch the eighth edition of the initiative, attended by 65 local and international media outlets, he said: “This year’s edition will feature 180 panel discussions, with 600 speakers from the public and private sectors participating to discuss challenges and propose solutions.”
The CEO of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) emphasized that the initiative aims to be a key catalyst for global dialogue on the most critical and complex issues facing the world today and seeks to bring difficult questions to the table for discussion and resolution with decision-makers, He highlighted the Foundation’s role in expanding the scope of these dialogues to include more critical issues affecting the economy and society, such as those related to artificial intelligence and food security, thereby fostering a deeper global understanding of how to address global challenges through informed and constructive dialogue.
He explained that the foundation does not limit itself to general discussions, but seeks to host global experts and thought leaders to present and discuss topics such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, food security, and sustainable development, noting that the dialogue addresses many topics from which concrete ideas and solutions can emerge that make a difference in the lives of communities.
He noted that the Future Investment Initiative Foundation is driving change and, through its app, provides an opportunity to share ideas and get started, emphasizing that the Foundation is membership-based and open to everyone, including entrepreneurs and talented youth, to achieve inclusivity. He called on the media to focus on the bright and positive aspects when discussing the topics included in the eighth edition of the initiative to achieve a better balance in coverage of these issues.
He noted that the Kingdom’s geographical location has made it a hub connecting the East and West, as well as the North and South, adding that holding the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh underscores the Kingdom’s importance as a center for global dialogue.
Richard Atias addressed the topic of membership and attendance, noting that this year’s event saw 7,000 people register, including 1,200 members who were pre-selected, while 3,000 seats were allocated to strategic partners—including global companies that share the foundation’s vision and play a vital role in supporting initiatives that seek to bring about positive change on a global scale.
He noted that attendance at the conference is not limited to members alone, as media outlets and official delegations—including ministers, ambassadors, and deputy ministers—are also participating. He pointed out that the annual membership program does not merely grant access to conference events, but also allows members to attend all of the Foundation’s events throughout the year in various parts of the world, as well as participation in special sessions and access to the foundation’s reports.
He emphasized that global executives, through their participation in the initiative, are eager to contribute to building a strong and stable economy, viewing this as an opportunity for reconstruction rather than merely a factor in their investment decisions. He noted that the fields of technology, artificial intelligence, and gas production enhance countries’ capacity for growth and innovation, enabling them to overcome challenges, while noting the importance of achieving peace as a necessary factor for promoting economic and social stability.
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