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The world economy is undergoing one of the greatest transformations in modern history. New alliances are being forged, new technologies are redefining productivity and power, and a new geography of prosperity is taking shape. At the heart of this transformation stands ��������, no longer just a major energy producer, but a global catalyst for investment, innovation, and inclusive growth.

This week, as more than 9,000 investors, innovators, and policymakers from over 90 nations gather in Riyadh for the 9th Future Investment Initiative, including 20 heads of state and hundreds of the world’s most influential CEOs, the world now knows that the global economic conversation has a new centre of gravity.

For decades, the architecture of global trade and investment revolved around the trans-Atlantic axis. Today, power is far more distributed. From the Indo-Pacific to the Gulf, new investment corridors are rising. The Global South is asserting its role as both the manufacturing hub and consumer market of the 21st century. Meanwhile, technology, particularly artificial intelligence, has become the engine of global competitiveness.

According to FII Institute’s PRIORITY Compass global survey, just 37 percent of people worldwide believe the world is heading in the right direction. Yet in ��������, 89 percent express optimism about their nation’s trajectory, and 87 percent say they are happy with their lives. The data speaks for itself, where others see crisis, Saudis see opportunity; where others hesitate, Saudis act.

Over the past century, humanity has achieved extraordinary progress. Life expectancy has doubled, extreme poverty has fallen from 70 percent to under 10 percent, and literacy now stands at 87 percent globally. But the next century’s prosperity will depend on how we harness technology, energy, and human capital to drive inclusive, sustainable growth.

At the FII Institute, we call this new model the “Prosperity Engine,” a system powered by innovation, inclusive investment, and global cooperation. Artificial intelligence, clean energy, and digital infrastructure are no longer optional enablers; they are the foundations of future power and well-being. AI alone could add $15.7 trillion to global GDP by 2030. Semiconductor capacity is now a measure of national resilience. And data centers, consuming up to 8 percent of the world’s electricity by 2030, will define the success of green energy transitions.

�������� is not watching these trends unfold from the sidelines. It is shaping them.

��������’s transformation is built on partnerships with the world’s largest economies and most dynamic innovators. Over the past decade we have seen more than $200 billion in strategic deals announced at FII conferences, with $70 billion announced in 2024 alone. The partnerships span energy, technology, and health from clean hydrogen and biotech to AI compute and semiconductor ecosystems.

These are not symbolic gestures. They represent a deep rewiring of the global economy, one that positions �������� as both a trusted partner and a source of innovation, energy, and capital.

The Future Investment Initiative is not just a conference; it is a movement. Over the next four days, the Riyadh summit will host 250 sessions and 600 speakers, exploring the forces reshaping prosperity.

We will ask the hard questions: What is the key to prosperity? Who is leading the race for AI sovereignty? How can businesses and governments work together to overcome food insecurity and reskill a generation of workers?

World leaders, investors, and thinkers will debate the “energy trilemma” — how to balance affordability, sustainability, and security. Leaders such as Ruth Porat of Google, Tareq Amin of Humain, and Sarah Friar of OpenAI will discuss the global race for AI leadership.

And across every discussion runs a single golden thread — that prosperity must be inclusive, sustainable, and measurable.

��������’s Vision 2030 is often described as a national transformation program, but its impact is global. It is creating the conditions for a $600 billion expansion in US/Saudi trade and investment, while catalyzing cross-border flows between Asia, Europe, and Africa. The Kingdom’s investment in AI infrastructure, giga-projects, and sustainable energy is helping to power the prosperity of others.

From the Red Sea to Neom, from Riyadh to Dammam, the Kingdom is proving that prosperity is not a zero-sum game. With every partnership, every innovation, and every investment, it is building bridges across continents and sectors, connecting capital with purpose, and ideas with impact.

Prosperity has always been the measure of human progress. But in today’s fractured world, it must be redefined as a shared goal, not a solitary one. Governments cannot achieve it alone. Neither can markets. The future belongs to those who collaborate, who invest in people, in technology, and in trust.

The next decade will not be defined by those who compete for capital, but by those who deploy it wisely to advance humanity, accelerate innovation, and unlock opportunities for all. 

That is why the world has come to Riyadh. Not just to discuss prosperity but to build it.

• Richard Attias is chairman of the executive committee and acting CEO of FII Institute.