Riyadh Economic Forum opens today under king’s patronage

Under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and on his behalf, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh and honorary president of the Riyadh Economic Forum, will open the forum’s 12th session today, Monday, in the presence of officials, experts, specialists, and representatives from both the public and private sectors.

The forum will discuss five studies addressing key economic and development issues, including the use of smart agriculture technologies and artificial intelligence to strengthen food and water security in Saudi Arabia, strategies for transferring and localizing knowledge and expertise among local talent, and the impact of these measures on the performance and efficiency of Saudi organizations.

One study examines the causes of traffic congestion in major cities, its economic, social, and environmental effects, and potential solutions to improve urban transport efficiency. The forum will also explore ways to measure the impact of legislation and public policies in supporting sustainable development and achieving the goals of Vision 2030, by developing tools to assess policy effectiveness and enhance evidence-based decision-making.

The fifth study will focus on maximizing the economic and social returns from Saudi Arabia’s hosting of Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, turning these events into opportunities to boost investment, local content, and economic diversification, while creating new opportunities for the private sector.

Since its launch in 2003, the Riyadh Economic Forum has continued to address economic and development issues through specialized studies and the participation of experts, academics, decision-makers, and private sector representatives. The outcomes of previous sessions have contributed recommendations and initiatives on economic and development matters, leading to decisions that support development and reinforce the forum’s role as a platform for dialogue among stakeholders in the national economy and in supporting decision-making.