FII: Charting new paths amid global uncertainties

Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: Leaders from the world of finance and investment will once again gather in Riyadh on Oct. 24-26 for the 7th Future Investment Initiative to review the challenges and opportunities in a fast-evolving global environment.

The event, to be held under the theme “The New Compass,” will be an interactive program designed to aid investors in recalibrating new means for their companies and for the global economy. 

“As a symbol of guidance and direction, the compass represents the interconnectedness of all directions,” Richard Attias, CEO of FII Institute, said in a statement explaining the theme of the conference. 

“More than ever in these current unpredictable times, it is essential for the FII community to come together to redesign a new compass as a tool for navigation and inspiration.”

This year’s conference will be exclusively available to FII Institute members and strategic partners and is expected to draw 5,000 delegates from across the globe to the Saudi capital. The event will feature 500 speakers who will express their views on a host of issues including “New Geoeconomics Strategies,” “What is the Code of Power?” and “The New Era of Investment in the Middle East.”

All these topics connect the worlds of finance, economics, sustainability, and geopolitics. 

These talks will be driven by data, as FII Institute’s members emphasize the importance of using objective data as opposed to subjective opinions.

“FII 7 will be the first edition (to be) 100 percent data-driven, welcoming almost 1,000 members since FII Institute became a membership organization and will host three summits, dedicated to energy, AI, and priority as well as multiple side events curated by many of our strategic partners,” Attias told Arab News. 

“FII is probably the most inclusive and global conference in the world when we look at the level of representation from all continents,” he added. “For the first time, FII Institute will present important indices and will submit a few resolutions.”

FII is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one major vision: to impact humanity. It aims, according to its mission, “to foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions” by focusing on four crucial areas: Artificial Intelligence and robotics, education, healthcare, and sustainability.

The first FII was held in Riyadh in 2017 and launched under the theme “The Big Shift” to explore the large-scale transformations taking place across the globe. Yet the devastation caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic inspired what the institute calls a “neo-renaissance” that pushed the world to transition to a new global order — one which is rapidly taking shape amid geopolitical shifts, socioeconomic change, climate change, and the rapid rise of new technology. 

Over the last three years, FII Institute has hosted 13 international events, over 2,200 speakers, and more than 22,000 delegates, forged 21 strategic, seven investments, five academic partnerships, and signed $109 billion worth of agreements. 

The upcoming edition seeks to look at ways investors and business leaders can navigate the uncertainties. FII7 looks at ways to overcome challenges and work toward win-win situations for all.

“The main theme is the New Compass,” Attias emphasized. “Our goal is to host global conversations with all players from policymakers to entrepreneurs and global CEOs and media to understand what are the new directions and to help how to better navigate.”

 Mini summits will also be curated on the topics of energy, AI, sustainability, and innovation throughout the conference. 

The first day of the three-day conference will focus on “Navigating New Norms,” delving into the critical trends shaping global business, geopolitics, investment, and geoeconomics. On the first day, speakers will examine the rapid and volatile changes in global markets, including rising inflation, banking crises, and emerging economic fragmentation. Through a variety of talks, they will also analyze the global energy transition and how it impacts all sectors. 

The second day is dedicated to “The New Vision Manifest” which will highlight emerging economies, middle powers, and climate solutions. It will also include the FII Priority Summit focusing on key elements that affect the quality of life, with speakers discussing aspects of health, work, education, sport, culture, living, and tourism.

The last day will focus on “Exploring New Frontiers” highlighting the new frontiers for investment concerning technology, space and aviation, biotech, robotics, cybersecurity, venture capital, and startup nations, among others. 

The third day will include an AI Summit and a special session that will explore the “Global South’s Road to COP28.”

During a time of grand transformation for Saudi Arabia, FII has proved to be a strong component of the Kingdom’s regional and global growth in finance and investment.

 “By definition, the host country and the host city, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Riyadh have benefitted from welcoming thousands of global players for the past few years,” Attias told Arab News. “The FII ecosystem is extremely powerful and extremely attracted by what is happening in the Kingdom. Nearly everyone wants to be part of this unique transformation.”