Financial Sector Conference

The Financial Sector Conference is one of the initiatives of the Financial Sector Development Program, which stems from Saudi Vision 2030. It is organized by the program’s partners, represented by the Ministry of Finance, the Saudi Central Bank, and the Capital Market Authority. The conference serves as a dialogue platform to keep pace with global developments in the sector and to achieve significant advancements in financial services that align with Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in business and services.

The conference discusses investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s financial sector and the realization of Saudi Vision 2030 in relation to the economy in general and the financial sector in particular. It aims to produce actionable outcomes and recommendations that support economic development in Saudi Arabia. The conference attracts decision-makers in the financial sector and senior executives from local and international financial institutions.

Objectives of the Financial Sector Conference

The Financial Sector Conference aims to highlight the competitive regional and global position of Saudi Arabia’s financial sector, promote awareness of the Financial Sector Development Program and its initiatives to achieve Saudi Vision 2030, and enable key players in the financial industry to meet and connect under one roof. It also seeks to facilitate the exchange of experiences and information, discuss challenges and best practices to advance the financial sector, showcase investment opportunities, stimulate competition, and enhance the attractiveness of the Saudi financial sector.

First Financial Sector Conference

The first edition of the Financial Sector Conference was held in Riyadh City on April 24–25, 2019, under the theme “Promising Financial Prospects.” It aimed to attract around two thousand participants, including leaders from the financial and business sectors at the local, regional, and global levels, as well as representatives from both the public and private sectors, locally and internationally.

The conference featured more than eighty male and female speakers who, over the course of two days and twenty-one sessions, discussed topics of importance to the financial sector based on six main themes: capacity building in the financial sector, challenges and opportunities in the insurance market, real estate financing, Islamic finance, financial sector competitiveness, and financial technology. The agenda also included sessions on enhancing financial literacy, awareness, and planning within the broader context of promoting a financial culture and raising awareness of the importance of saving at both the individual and societal levels. The conference was accompanied by several side events involving key government entities, major institutions, and leading companies dedicated to the development and support of the financial sector. These events showcased ongoing efforts, future plans for sector advancement, the latest innovations, financial and insurance products from Saudi banks and institutions, as well as the latest developments and innovative solutions in financial technology. The conference also presented the Financial Sector Development Program, its initiatives, and its targets.

Second Financial Sector Conference

The second edition of the Financial Sector Conference was held in Riyadh City on March 15–16, 2023, with 3,200 participants in attendance and the participation of numerous representatives from leading global financial institutions, as well as finance ministers. The conference featured over one hundred speakers who addressed topics such as the challenges and opportunities of the global economy, the adaptability and resilience of financial institutions in the new financial reality, and the development of a clear roadmap to achieve growth and prosperity in the future of the financial sector. Conference sessions also explored the future of the global financial community under the theme "Promising Financial Prospects" through enabling technology, diversifying investment, and enhancing international cooperation toward a green economy. Discussions included financing for the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector in light of its rapid regional and international growth, and the role of SMEs in job creation.

Financial Sector Conference Dialogues

On September 27, 2021, the Financial Sector Conference organized dialogue sessions in Riyadh, discussing: “The Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia: Opportunities and Challenges.” The discussion focused on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), examining its impact on the financial sector, key opportunities, and the latest developments in the field. Several topics were also discussed regarding the role of ESG in the global financial system.

The Financial Sector Conference Dialogues resumed in Riyadh City on May 29, 2022, focusing on two main themes. The first was “Open Banking and Islamic Finance,” with the first session addressing open banking under two key topics: the journey of open banking in Saudi Arabia—including the concept of open banking, the roadmap of the Open Banking Program and its upcoming implementation phase, and the roadmap for launching open banking services. The second topic focused on innovation in open banking. The speakers provided an overview and elaborated on aspects of innovation in open banking services, use cases of open banking, and what comes after open banking. The second session addressed the theme of Islamic finance and national aspirations, as well as the role of Islamic finance in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Local and international experts discussed the SME sector and the prospects of Islamic financing, along with the sukuk sector and the financing of development projects in Saudi Arabia. In the third session, titled “Future Opportunities for the Islamic Finance Industry,” speakers engaged in discussions on the endowment sector, the SDGs, and financial technology.

The third Financial Sector Conference Dialogues, held on November 15, 2022, addressed two main themes. The first focused on the fund sector and building a promising funds industry. It included a legislative dialogue on regulatory developments and opportunities within the sector, emphasizing the creation of long-term value in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The second theme discussed the debt instruments market as a driver of economic growth and explored the role of technological advancement in strengthening the economy.