Riyadh is quickly establishing itself as a central platform for global economic and development dialogues, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 journey. The city recently inaugurated the “MOMENTUM 2025” Development Finance Conference and is preparing to host the 25th WPC Energy Congress. These major events cement Riyadh’s role as a nexus where capital flows align with sustainable goals and the future of global energy is shaped. The success of initiatives like Momentum Riyadh reflects a determined effort to reshape the economic landscape, driving global interest and providing crucial insights into economy news from the region.
💰 MOMENTUM 2025: Translating Finance into Sustainable Impact
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Development Finance Conference, MOMENTUM 2025, convened in Riyadh from December 9 to 11, 2025, hosted by the National Development Fund (NDF). The conference, themed “Where Development Finance Meets Action,” brought together a distinguished assembly of leaders, ministers, CEOs, and global development experts from over 120 countries at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.
The NDF’s Visionary Role
The Vice Chairman of the NDF, His Excellency Mohammed bin Mazyad Al Tuwaijri, emphasized in his opening remarks that the conference reflects the Kingdom’s belief that investing in human capital is the most crucial step for a prosperous future. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leadership in reshaping the global development finance landscape, aligning its efforts with the core objectives of Vision 2030.
The NDF’s operational model is centred on stimulating financing and empowering vital sectors through its network of twelve development funds and banks. This ecosystem operates in close coordination to enhance the economy, serve the populace, and support environmental sustainability. The NDF’s performance indicators showcase its immense impact:
- Financial Mobilization: The ecosystem provided financing exceeding SAR 52 billion in a single year.
- Economic Contribution: It contributed approximately SAR 47 billion to the non-oil GDP, demonstrating a clear transition from mere support to sustainable, impactful development.
- Beneficiaries and Empowerment: The NDF served over one million beneficiaries, significantly raising the efficiency of development finance and enabling thousands of citizens to access entrepreneurship opportunities.
Global Reach and Green Commitment
The NDF’s influence extends beyond national borders. At the international level, the Fund has financed more than 800 projects and programs across 100 countries, with a total value surpassing USD 21 billion. This confirms the Kingdom’s commitment to global development.
Furthermore, the NDF is a major proponent of the global green economy:
- Over 20% of the Industrial Fund’s portfolio has been allocated to sustainable energy projects.
- This investment includes green hydrogen projects with a capacity of 3.8 gigawatts and solar energy projects with a capacity of 2.6 gigawatts.
MOMENTUM 2025 served to reinforce the NDF’s strategic directives, focusing on enriching the development sector, enhancing efficiency, and strengthening coordination to ensure a unified and lasting impact on society and the economy. The agenda covered vital topics such as: strategies for enhancing economic resilience, bridging financing gaps, and empowering youth-led ventures to foster a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.
💡 WPC Energy Congress: Charting the Next Energy Era
Looking ahead to April 2026, Riyadh is gearing up to host the 25th WPC Energy Congress at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, marking a historical first for Saudi Arabia. Under the theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All,” this event is set to be a definitive moment in the global energy dialogue.
A Global Convergence
The Congress will convene Heads of State, Ministers, CEOs, innovators, and policymakers from the entire energy spectrum. It provides a crucial, solutions-driven platform at a time when the world is balancing the complex demands of energy security, affordability, and sustainability.
- Scale and Scope: Following the successful 24th edition in Calgary, the Riyadh Congress is expected to surpass it in scale, anticipating over 25,000 visitors, a significant increase from the 10,000 participants in the previous event.
- Rich Programme: The event features an extensive Executive Programme of high-level dialogues and ministerial roundtables, alongside a robust Technical Programme. The latter will include 31 forums exploring critical areas such as decarbonization, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), digital transformation, hydrogen, and the evolving role of hydrocarbons.
Leading global energy giants, including Saudi Aramco, TotalEnergies, Shell, and China National Petroleum Corporation, have already confirmed their participation in the Technical Programme, underscoring the Congress’s importance.
See also: Grow It Back Without the Big Chop: A Textured-Hair Growth Plan After Relaxer Damage
Riyadh: The Gateway to Transformation
The decision to host the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh carries immense symbolic weight. As the world’s leading energy exporter and a nation aggressively pursuing economic diversification under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia embodies the blend of traditional strength and forward-thinking innovation. Riyadh offers attendees a unique gateway to one of the most dynamic energy ecosystems globally, one that is actively integrating emerging technologies and fostering regional collaboration.
🌟 Last Words
Riyadh’s role as the host city for MOMENTUM 2025 and the upcoming WPC Energy Congress underscores its ambition to be a central player in both global development finance and the future of energy. From aligning capital flows to achieve sustainable national and international impact through the NDF, to setting the agenda for a secure, affordable, and sustainable global energy future, the Kingdom is moving from planning to decisive action. These high-profile events solidify Riyadh’s status as a critical global hub where policy, finance, and technological innovation converge to define the next era of development and energy leadership.
