Global business leaders convene in Saudi Arabia

Business executives and corporate leaders from around the world converged in Saudi Arabia for the annual Future Investment Initiative (FII), against a backdrop of growing regional tensions and ongoing questions about the feasibility of the kingdom's ambitious projects.

This year’s event in Riyadh, the eighth edition since its inception, has drawn over 7,000 attendees.

Dubbed the “Davos of the Desert,” the FII was launched in 2017 as a showcase for the kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform program, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

This vision aims to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy by reducing its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, positioning it for a sustainable future. Over the three-day forum, discussions are expected to focus heavily on the ongoing Middle East conflict, as regional instability casts uncertainty on long-term investment.

The forum comes one year after the devastating Hamas attack on Israel, an event that escalated into the current Gaza conflict and has intensified the conflict between Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and missile exchanges with Iran.

At last year’s FII, speakers warned of the economic repercussions of an expanding conflict; those concerns have since materialized, adding gravity to discussions at this year’s gathering.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is looking to highlight progress on Vision 2030’s flagship projects, including Neom, a futuristic megacity under construction in the country’s northwest. Intended to feature two 170-kilometer-long skyscrapers and even a ski resort, Neom has recently scaled down its initial size and population targets.

On Sunday, Neom announced the opening of Sindalah, a luxury Red Sea resort and the project’s first physical location, marking a tangible step toward realizing the bold aspirations of Vision 2030.

As FII unfolds, investors and analysts will closely watch how the kingdom navigates its ambitious goals against a challenging geopolitical landscape, assessing both the potential for innovation and the risks posed by an increasingly volatile region.