Saudi Arabia cancels 2026 ‘Davos in the Desert’ amid Houthi attacks
Saudi Arabia has postponed its flagship 'Future Investment Initiative' conference until 2027 due to ongoing security threats from Houthi attacks. The event, which attracts global business leaders, is a key component of the kingdom's economic transformation strategy.
Why it matters
The cancellation highlights the impact of regional conflict on international business confidence and Saudi Arabia's economic diversification goals.
Riyadh postpones flagship investment conference until 2027, orders government staff to work from home.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 31, 2024 [Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters] By AFP and Reuters Published On 20 Oct 2026 20 Oct 2026 Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference has been postponed until next year, according to a statement on the official website, as deadly strikes by the Iran-backed Houthis against the kingdom continue.
The annual event was due to start next week on October 26 and run through October 29, with a date next year to be announced “very soon”, the statement released on Tuesday said.
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