Executive Overview: Saudi House Returns Bigger and Bolder
At the 56th WEF Annual Meeting, running from 19 to 23 January, Saudi House reprises its role as Saudi Arabia’s pavilion after debuting at the 2025 forum. Organised by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, this year’s edition features more than 20 sessions and activities designed to foster international dialogue on global challenges, investment opportunities and collaborative solutions for sustainable growth. The pavilion returns with its most comprehensive programme to date, signalling Saudi Arabia’s expanding diplomatic and economic influence on the global stage.
NextOn Talks: A New Thought Leadership Platform
A headline
highlight of Saudi House’s agenda is the introduction of NextOn Talks,
a series of over 12 forward‑looking conversations with experts and thought
leaders from around the world. These talks are crafted to
spotlight emerging trends that are shaping industries from tourism and
sustainable cities to data‑driven innovation and human capability development.
Organisers have indicated that these sessions will offer insights that extend
far beyond traditional panel discussions, aiming to inspire action, spark
partnerships and deepen understanding of transformational trends.
Six Strategic Themes Aligned with Vision 2030
The Saudi House programme is structured around six core themes, each reflecting strategic pillars of Saudi Vision 2030:
Under these themes, Saudi House curators have pooled
expertise from Saudi government bodies and private sector innovators to explore
global priorities including sustainable urban futures, tourism growth, ageing
populations and resilience to climate challenges. Several sessions are
accredited by the WEF itself, underscoring the pavilion’s relevance to the
forum’s core agenda.
Saudi Arabia’s Policy Leaders at the Forefront
A senior Saudi delegation, led by Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanies the pavilion, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to constructive international engagement. The delegation comprises senior officials from key ministries, including Tourism, Economy and Planning, Investment, Finance, Communications and Information Technology emphasising the Kingdom’s multifaceted approach to economic transformation and global cooperation. This high‑level presence is expected to drive strategic discussions with counterparts from governments, international organisations and private sector leaders.
Travel and Tourism Take Centre Stage
From a travel
and tourism perspective, Saudi House functions as an influential platform to
position the Kingdom as an emerging must‑visit destination.
With tourism now a cornerstone of economic diversification, sessions at the
pavilion will include discussions on investment in world‑class tourist
infrastructure, cultural heritage preservation and sustainable travel
experiences. With ministers and global travel industry executives participating,
Saudi House creates opportunities to highlight Saudi Arabia’s expanding
portfolio of attractions from ancient desert landscapes to Red Sea luxury
retreats to a global audience.
Investing in Quality of Life and Human Capability
One of the pavilion’s distinguished thematic areas is Quality of Life, which explores how nations can enhance citizen well‑being alongside economic progress. Discussions under this theme seek to unpack how Saudi Arabia’s own reforms, including urban development, educational initiatives and cultural enrichment dovetail with global aspirations for inclusive growth. Equally, the People and Human Capability theme focuses on equipping populations with skills and opportunities to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy, reinforcing Saudi efforts to cultivate talent and unleash potential.
Strategic Investment and Global Partnerships
Saudi House also
places a strong emphasis on investment and collaboration,
reflecting the Kingdom’s active role in shaping new economic frameworks and
partnerships that transcend borders. Sessions within this strand explore how
cross‑sector cooperation and capital flows can open new frontiers in
technology, infrastructure and sustainable development, essential components
for resilient global economies. Thought leaders will analyse how Saudi Arabia’s strategic positioning
attracts investment while contributing to collective prosperity.
A Forum for Innovation, Insight and Influence
Across its
curated sessions, the pavilion sets the stage for travellers, investors, policy
makers and business leaders to engage with dynamic conversations
about the future. From AI and trust to debt capital markets, and from drought resistance solutions to urban sustainability, Saudi House presents not just
dialogue but actionable insights that may influence policy and investment
landscapes long after the WEF concludes.
A Pivotal Stage for Saudi Tourism and Global Dialogue
The Saudi House is not just a pavilion as the 2026 WEF
Annual Meeting in Davos progresses it is a vibrant crossroads of policy,
investment and cultural narratives. It provides a unique opportunity for
travelers and global tourism industry players to see first-hand Saudi Arabia’s
dream of creating a marriage of tradition, innovation, and top-notch
experiences. The delegates and visitors will be able to take more than just the
knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s changing story with them: a country that is
revealing its frontiers to the world and at the same time is welcoming the
world to live its future.
Tags: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia Saudi House World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026