Riyadh Economic Forum 2026
About the event
The twelfth edition of the Riyadh Economic Forum takes place from 12 to 14 October 2026 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Riyadh, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Riyadh Region, as honorary president. The forum runs under the motto Towards Sustainable Economic Development, is held every two years, and its eleventh edition took place in 2024.
This edition presents five strategic studies that are discussed in its sessions and then turned into recommendations submitted to decision makers: traffic congestion in large cities, its causes and its economic and social effects; strategies for transferring knowledge and expertise and localising it among national talent; the use of smart agriculture technologies and artificial intelligence to develop the agricultural sector and strengthen food and water security; the effect of legislation and public policy on sustainable development and on the efficiency of the regulatory and judicial environment; and ways to maximise the economic and social returns of hosting major global events such as Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup. The forum addresses officials and specialists in the public and private sectors, academics, businessmen and businesswomen, and those with an interest in economic affairs.
The organiser has not yet announced a registration mechanism for attendance or any fees, and has not published a session schedule or the names of speakers. Each edition is preceded by two years of work in which specialised teams of experts, academics and representatives of the public and private sectors prepare field studies grounded in data, indicators and international best practice, with their findings presented in preparatory discussion rounds before they reach the forum sessions.