Future Investment Initiative Opens with Global Vision

The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) officially began on Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This year’s conference is being held under the theme “The Key to Prosperity.” The event brings together global leaders, investors, innovators, and policymakers to discuss how ideas and investments can create a more prosperous and sustainable world.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Chairman of Saudi Aramco, and Chairman of the FII Institute’s Board of Trustees, delivered the opening remarks. He described the conference as “the world’s leading gathering for those who can turn ideas and investments into global impact.”

In his speech, Al-Rumayyan highlighted the conference’s achievements since its launch. He announced that more than $250 billion worth of deals have been concluded through the platform over the past nine years. These deals have contributed to shaping key global industries, including energy, technology, and finance.

He expressed confidence that the 2025 edition would take this impact even further, saying, “Together, we have come a long way, but this year we must take our impact to even greater heights.”

Al-Rumayyan spoke about the collective power of capital and leadership present at the conference. He emphasized that this power comes with a great responsibility to shape the future of the global economy.

He added that the world is now facing a new economic reality driven by rapid technological advancements and shifting global dynamics. According to him, neither governments nor private companies can face these challenges alone. “Governments cannot correct the course alone, and the private sector cannot bear the burden alone,” he said.

Instead, he called for a new model of global cooperation that unites both sectors in promoting shared prosperity and long-term stability.

Al-Rumayyan noted that many traditional models of economic growth are no longer effective. He urged leaders and investors to adapt to the changing environment shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and global competition.

He also emphasized that FII serves as the perfect platform to bring together decision-makers, innovators, and investors from across industries to develop solutions for the modern economy.

According to Al-Rumayyan, the global economy has shown steady growth, with the world’s GDP exceeding $111 trillion and expected to grow by 2.8% this year. However, he pointed to findings from the FII annual priorities report that reveal a concerning emotional gap between individual optimism and global confidence.

He explained that while 66% of people feel positive about their personal lives, only 37% are optimistic about the world’s future, and 69% worry about losing jobs due to foreign competition. He warned that this “gap between individual hope and collective doubt” should not be ignored.

Al-Rumayyan expressed that technology could help bridge the gap between individual success and global uncertainty—if access to it is made universal. However, he also warned that three out of four people fear that artificial intelligence could deepen educational and economic inequality.

He stated, “We cannot allow this to happen. We must confront the inequalities that have hindered progress.” He highlighted that by 2025, 808 million people—nearly 10% of the world’s population—will live in extreme poverty.

Concluding his remarks, Al-Rumayyan called on participants to view global challenges as opportunities. He emphasized that through cooperation, innovation, and fair access to technology, nations can create a future that benefits all of humanity.

“With every challenge comes an opportunity to find solutions that serve all of humanity,” he said, setting the tone for the conference’s discussions focused on inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation-driven growth.