Saudi Arabia cancels next week’s ‘Davos in the Desert’ conference after series of Houthi attacks - CNN
Saudi Arabia has canceled its upcoming 'Davos in the Desert' investment conference, scheduled for next week in Riyadh, following a series of escalating Houthi missile and drone attacks. Organizers announced the event will be postponed to 2027, dealing a blow to the kingdom's economic diversification efforts. High-profile Wall Street executives had been slated to speak at the high-profile gathering.
Why it matters
The postponement highlights how escalating regional conflicts can directly disrupt major international business events and hinder national economic transformation plans.
In a major setback for the kingdom’s economic ambitions, Saudi Arabia has canceled a major conference scheduled for next week in Riyadh amid a wave of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants. Known as “Davos in the Desert,” the Future Investment Initiative will now take place on an undisclosed date in 2027, according to a statement from the conference shared via email with CNN’s Becky Anderson. Normally, the annual event showcases Saudi Arabia’s financial muscle and growing role on the world stage. Wall Street leaders including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and BlackRock boss Larry Fink were all scheduled to speak at next week’s event.
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