Riyadh Economic Forum 2026 Sets Five Key Themes

The Riyadh Economic Forum will hold its 12th session from 12 to 14 October 2026 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in the capital, bringing together economic actors to discuss key national issues around five strategic themes.

The forum organizes its studies and workshops around five recurring themes: infrastructure, natural resources, the business sector, policies and legislation and procedures, and human resources. This framework has guided the selection of topics across previous sessions and continues to shape the agenda for the upcoming session.

Five strategic studies

The 12th session is set to feature five strategic studies. These will examine the challenges of traffic congestion in major Saudi cities and its economic and social impacts, the transfer and localization of knowledge among national cadres, and the use of smart agriculture and artificial intelligence to develop the agricultural sector and strengthen food and water security.

Two further studies will look at the impact of legislation and public policies on sustainable development and the efficiency of the regulatory and judicial environment, and at maximizing the economic and social returns from hosting major global events, including Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The forum aims to diagnose issues affecting the national economy, identify and analyze obstacles to growth, propose practical solutions to support decision-making, and enable dialogue among public, private, and academic participants. It also reviews similar global experiences and uses research-based methods such as brainstorming groups to contribute to sustainable economic development.

For residents and businesses in Riyadh, the session's focus on traffic, food and water security, and the returns from Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup connects directly to everyday concerns and the city's preparations for the years ahead.

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