Saudi Arabia to host World Economic Forum meeting in April

Saudi Arabia to host World Economic Forum meeting in April

DAVOS, Switzerland - Saudi Arabia will host a special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in April, economy minister Faisal Alibrahim said on Thursday, as it aims to boost the global profile of the kingdom and its capital Riyadh.

The meeting, scheduled to take place from April 28-29, will focus on global collaboration, growth and energy, Alibrahim said in Davos, Switzerland, where the World Economic Forum's main annual event is currently taking place.

"The (World Economic) Forum has recognised that the kingdom is becoming a stronger, more impactful leader on the global stage... and we found it as an opportune time to bring this global Tier 1 event to the kingdom, and start this new chapter together," Alibrahim later told Reuters in an interview.

"This will contribute to Riyadh becoming a more global platform," he said, adding the Saudi government had been in talks with the WEF for some time to host an event.

Borge Brende, WEF president, said that the WEF had held discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and with cabinet ministers to hold a Forum meeting in the kingdom.

"We have not resumed any meetings post-COVID outside winter Davos and summer Davos so we will have our first meeting outside Davos