FII: Turning conversations into actions

Launched in September 2017, the Future Investment Initiative has transformed into an important forum that seeks to serve as a catalyst to build global networks of influential decision makers to explore the emerging industries that will shape the future of humanity.

The Public Investment Fund launched the initiative to help the Kingdom achieve its economic goals as set in Vision 2030 by creating a platform led by experts to facilitate the debate between global leaders, investors and innovators with the power to shape the future of international investment.

In 2019 the initiative was transformed into an institution known as the Future Investment Initiative Foundation, a non-profit foundation for positively impacting humanity by fostering great minds from around the globe and turning ideas into real-world solutions in five critical areas: Sustainability, healthcare, education, artificial intelligence and robotics.

Through its four editions, the FII has succeeded in attracting the attention of world leaders to consider a number of important issues, most notably the role of investment in stimulating growth opportunities, promoting innovation and facing global challenges. A wide range of experts and leaders from around the world have participated in the previous editions to discuss multiple issues under the title of the economy of the future, in the fields of AI, digital transformation and others.

Despite the short period since the launch of its first and subsequent three editions, the FII has received attention and recognition around the world, evidenced by the increasing numbers of attendees and the standard of speakers.

For example, more than 300 leading speakers from 30 different countries were at the third edition of FII in Riyadh in October 2019 and more than 6,000 executives and participants attended. This was almost double the number of attendees in 2018, which attracted 3,500 participants.

This year, the fifth edition of the FII has been specifically designed to leverage the transformations of the past year to ensure progress, prosperity and opportunity for all, especially when considering that the world has hopefully beaten COVID-19 pandemic for good, preparing to return to normal after a year-and-a-half of lockdowns.

FII’s interactive program this year features conversations with world leaders, roundtable discussions and networking with executives and policymakers.

This year’s forum is focusing on actions related to the theme “Invest in humanity,” with deep dives into core areas that are driving business, government and investment in robotics, education and healthcare.

What makes FII stand out is its commitment to turning conversations into actions that will create solutions which will impact on humanity positively.

• Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. Twitter: @TalatHafiz