Riyadh: The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference sessions officially began Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the theme “The Key to Prosperity.”
According to Qatar News Agency, in his opening remarks, Governor of the Public Investment Fund, Chairman of Saudi Aramco Board, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the FII Institute Yasir Al-Rumayyan described the conference as the world’s leading gathering for those who can convert ideas and investments into tangible global impact. He highlighted that deals worth more than $250 billion have been concluded through this platform since the conference’s inception less than a decade ago.
Al-Rumayyan emphasized the importance of this year’s conference, noting the power and responsibility carried by the capital represented by the decision-makers present. He stated that investors and companies are now facing a new economic reality and rapid technological transformations, which require a new model of cooperation between governments and the private sector.
He pointed out that the traditional models that have brought the world to this stage are no longer sufficient. He stressed that governments alone cannot correct the course, nor can the private sector bear the burden independently. The solution, he argued, lies in the combined efforts of governments and the private sector as genuine partners, aiming for a new era of shared prosperity.
Al-Rumayyan also highlighted the platform’s role in uniting world leaders, investors, and decision-makers from various sectors. He mentioned that while the global GDP has surpassed $111 trillion and is expected to grow by 2.8% this year, a critical disconnect exists. This year’s FII annual priorities report revealed that while 66% of people feel positive about their lives, only 37% are optimistic about the world’s future, and 69% worry about job loss due to foreign competition.
He cautioned that this gap between individual hope and collective doubt is a warning and suggested that technology could bridge this divide if made accessible to all. However, he expressed concern that artificial intelligence might widen the educational gap, stressing the need to address inequalities that hinder progress. He concluded by noting that nearly 10% of the world’s population, approximately 808 million people, will live in extreme poverty by 2025, emphasizing the need for solutions that serve all of humanity.