The Saudi Arabian delegation has successfully wrapped up its participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2024, with a significant revelation that Riyadh will be the host city for an upcoming WEF Special Meeting focused on global cooperation, growth, and energy from April 28-29, 2024.
Throughout the WEF, from January 15-19, the delegation, led by Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, engaged in pivotal discussions and multiple high-level meetings. These efforts were aimed at forging pathways to address global challenges and laying the groundwork for a future characterized by greater connectivity, resilience, and prosperity.
The Saudi contingent featured prominent figures such as Princess Reema bint Bandar AlSaud, the Ambassador to the United States; Dr. Majid A. Alkassabi, Minister of Commerce; Adel A. Aljubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Khalid A. Al Falih, Minister of Investment; Mohammed A. Aljadaan, Minister of Finance; Abdullah A. Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology; Bandar I. Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources; and Faisal F. Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning.
High-profile sessions with Saudi participation covered a diverse range of topics including global security, streamlined services, the economic trajectory of Gulf nations, sustainable initiatives in the MENA region, future supply chains, governmental investment strategies, and the evolving landscape of banking and technology in Saudi Arabia.
The “Saudi House: Bold Visions Series” was also inaugurated by the delegation, bringing together innovators and policymakers to deliberate on economic development solutions in fields like the blue economy, tourism, and technology investments.
The upcoming WEF Special Meeting in Riyadh, born from a strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the forum, is expected to draw over 700 leaders from a variety of sectors to engage in meaningful dialogues promoting international cooperation.
During the forum, the Kingdom demonstrated its commitment to environmental and sustainability issues by signing two agreements with the WEF’s UpLink innovation platform. These agreements are designed to encourage innovative ecosystems supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and to advance solutions for environmental challenges like ocean degradation and biodiversity loss.
In addition to these environmental initiatives, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was also established to enhance public policy cooperation in numerous areas, including the economy, corporate governance, and sustainability.