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RIYADH: More than $250 billion in deals have been signed through the Future Investment Initiative platform since its launch less than a decade ago, according to Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund and chairman of the FII Institute.   

Opening the ninth edition in Riyadh, he said this year’s gathering seeks to elevate the initiative’s global effectiveness.  

Al-Rumayyan described FII as the world’s largest forum convening leaders, decision-makers, and investors to influence the trajectory of the global economy, Al Arabiya reported.

He said attendees from government and the private sector collectively represent significant capital and responsibility, alongside greater opportunities to help shape economic outcomes.  

Al-Rumayyan urged participants to act with that responsibility in mind and to capitalize on the opportunities at hand.   

Over the past year, he noted, investor and corporate ambitions have shifted amid rapid economic and technological change.   

He argued traditional economic models are no longer sufficient and called for governments and businesses to operate as true partners to advance a new model of international cooperation and global prosperity.  

PIF serves as a cornerstone of ��������’s Vision 2030 economic transformation strategy, driving diversification and sustainable growth beyond the oil sector.   

As one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, PIF manages assets exceeding $1.15 trillion, up from about $925 billion a year earlier, according to official data.   

The fund’s investments span multiple sectors and geographies, with a growing focus on technology, infrastructure, and green energy.   

PIF’s mandate aligns with the Kingdom’s broader ambition to position �������� as a leading global investment destination, supported by large-scale projects and international partnerships designed to accelerate non-oil gross domestic product growth.  

Al-Rumayyan said FII has become the venue where global leaders and investors discuss shared opportunities and challenges.   

He pointed to a widening gap between individuals’ optimism about their personal futures and their pessimism about the world’s outlook, adding that technology can help bridge this divide if deployed inclusively.   

He cautioned that artificial intelligence could widen educational disparities unless governed fairly and responsibly.  

He identified inequality as a major impediment to human progress and cited expectations that around 10 percent of the global population could be living in extreme poverty by 2025.  

Nonetheless, he expressed confidence that the leaders gathered at FII can convert today’s challenges into opportunities that benefit society.  

Addressing Saudi Vision 2030, Al-Rumayyan said the program has set a new global benchmark for economic transformation.   

He noted foreign direct investment in the Kingdom has grown 24 percent to $31.7 billion, and said �������� has emerged as a major global destination, supported by its megaprojects and preparations to host Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.  

He urged that true wealth is measured by the prosperity of people rather than numbers, and encouraged participants to use the three-day forum to forge cross-border partnerships that unlock transformative opportunities for the benefit of humanity.  

Richard Attias, acting CEO of the FII Institute, highlighted the growing scale and inclusivity of this year’s edition, which brought together more than 9,000 participants, including delegates, members, and media representatives from around the world.  

He emphasized that the 2025 program builds on the institute’s mission to foster collaboration across sectors, with discussions centered on artificial intelligence, health, and human development under the theme “The Key to Prosperity.” 

Attias said: “Our dream at the inception of FII Institute was simple: to bring together world decision makers not to compete but to collaborate, not just to talk about the future, but to shape the future.” 

RIYADH: Equity and equity-related issuances in the Middle East and North Africa totaled $10.4 billion during the first nine months of 2025, marking a 51 percent decline from the same period last year, according to data from LSEG.

Despite the drop in total proceeds, deal activity showed resilience, with the number of transactions rising 12 percent year on year.

First Abu Dhabi Bank topped the equity capital markets underwriting league table with an 11.2 percent market share, followed closely by HSBC at 10.8 percent. Citi, meanwhile, recorded a 14 percent increase in proceeds to $938 million — one of only two top-ten bookrunners to post growth.

“This year has been exceptionally busy for us, and we still have at least one more deal expected to close before year-end,” said Rudy Saadi, managing director and head of MENA ECM at Citigroup. 

Based on current momentum and pipeline discussions, 2026 is expected to be even busier.

Rudy Saadi, Citigroup top executive

“Based on current momentum and pipeline discussions, 2026 is expected to be even busier.”

Initial public offerings accounted for 46 percent of total issuance, with follow-on offerings representing the remaining 54 percent. 

The region saw 36 IPOs during the period — six more than last year and the highest nine-month total since 2008 — raising $4.8 billion, a modest 4 percent decrease from 2024.

��������’s low-cost carrier flynas led the year’s IPOs, raising $1.1 billion in its May debut on the Tadawul, the region’s largest offering so far in 2025.  In the third quarter, Dar Al Majed Real Estate Co. topped listings with a $335.8 million float.