‘FII of the Snow’ 
I have been invited to attend the Future Investment Initiative since its first edition. Since then, the event has become a premier destination for local and international figures in politics, business, and humanitarian fields. In addition to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, FII has been hosted in other key capitals worldwide.
This year’s forum, running from Oct. 29-31 under the patronage of King Salman, will dedicate a full pre-event day to Africa-related sessions, with the remaining days focusing on sectors including food, cybersecurity, renewable energy, entertainment, sports, and tourism.
Artificial intelligence-related topics will take center stage throughout the program. According to press reports, this edition of FII will witness the announcement of international deals worth approximately $28 billion across various sectors in Saudi Arabia and abroad.
The forum will be covered by over 60 local and international media outlets and will include 180 dialogue sessions featuring 600 speakers from both the public and private sectors to address challenges and propose solutions.
Under the captivating theme “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow,” the event will spark discussions on how investments can catalyze a prosperous and sustainable future, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for humanity.
The conference promises to be a platform for innovative ideas, bringing together political leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers from various sectors.
In this edition, I actively used the forum’s user-friendly and interactive app. With thousands of members and delegates attending from all over the world, confirming bilateral meetings days before the event has proven efficient and time-saving.
Members can even select one of the pre-designated meeting rooms at the forum’s venue, the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center. I am very excited to catch up with school friends and former colleagues from my Boston and London days, whom I have not seen for years.
With the Saudi leadership’s direct endorsement and unwavering support, the FII has become the premier global gathering.
Congratulations to my dear brother Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of FII Institute; CEO Richard Attias; COO Rakan Tarabzoni; and the board members for their achievement in making the initiative a global think tank and networking magnet.
During its first edition, commentators from leading TV stations used to call FII the “Davos of the Desert.” With its premier status now, the next edition of the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025 should be called the “FII of the Snow.”
— Basil M.K. Al-Ghalayini is chairman and CEO of BMG Financial Group.
