H.E. Khalid Al-Mudaifer

Saudi Arabia

His Excellency, Vice-Minister, Al-Mudaifer stated that the FMF will not only feature hours of insightful and impactful discussions but will also see tangible progress in turning plans from the drawing board into reality.

In just three years, FMF has grown in leaps and bounds—becoming the world’s leading and largest forum for shaping the future of minerals. The forum now comprises two world-leading events; the Ministerial Roundtable (MRT) and a high-level Conference.

The FMF’s government-led, multistakeholder, and action-focused features make it stand out from other minerals forums. It is a voice for supplier nations, including the Super Region spanning Africa, Western Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia. Preparations for the Future Minerals Forum 2025 are in top gear—with a keen sense of anticipation amongst the organizing team—as we prepare to stage the fourth edition of this world-class event.

We will bring together our largest-ever cohort of speakers to lead discussions on this year’s themes. Our many distinguished speakers represent global and regional businesses and other organizations from across the minerals and mining sector and its value chains—the majority of whom are at the CEO level. Their depth and breadth of expertise are unsurpassed, and we know that you will be fascinated, inspired, and perhaps even challenged by what they have to say.

The Future Minerals Forum is not just a platform for discussions; it is a catalyst for transformative action. Beyond the compelling dialogue, the Forum encompasses an International Exhibition, a Market Place, and numerous networking opportunities, making it a truly multifaceted event. This reflects the critical importance of partnerships and collaborations in achieving our Super Region’s goals.

The Forum's impact extends year-round. As His Excellency the Minister, Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, highlighted in collaboration with the King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology, FMF is spearheading the establishment of centers of excellence in the Super Region. Our ambition is for Saudi Arabia to emerge as a global hub for responsible green mineral production, and these initiatives are pivotal in advancing that vision.

Under the Vision 2030 goal, mining has been identified as the third pillar of industrial growth, providing a framework for the reform and enhancement of our mining ecosystem. This has fostered an environment that facilitates and incentivizes global investment across the entire mining and mineral value chain.

We are proud to introduce the National Geological Database, consolidating over 80 years of geological and geochemical data. This will be augmented by the Regional Geological Survey data, offering a highly detailed map of the Arabian Shield’s rich mineral resources. Our comprehensive and progressive mining law, which emphasizes security of tenure, transparency, and ESG principles, complements these efforts.

Additionally, our Mining Sustainability Principle ensures that sustainability is central to our mining activities, supporting local communities, and protecting the environment. Empowering our mineral industries is our new National Industrial Strategy. This strategy aims to position Saudi Arabia at the heart of global supply chains and establish it as a global industrial powerhouse. Through its projects, we will become a leading exporter of high-tech products, leveraging Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as artificial intelligence and 3-D printing. The Kingdom’s abundant natural resources and strategic geographical location will enable us to double industrial exports by 2030 and increase the number of factories from 10,000 to 36,000 by 2035, solidifying our global leadership in high-potential value chain segments.

We recognize the necessity of building capacity through collaboration and partnerships. This is the driving force behind the Future Minerals Forum. We warmly invite you to join us in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in January to explore these mutually beneficial partnerships.