The fifth annual Future Minerals Forum (FMF), scheduled to take place in Riyadh next week, will reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as a global leader in shaping dialogue on the future of the mining and minerals sector.

Speaking at a news conference in Riyadh, Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng Khalid Al-Mudaifer said the forum has established itself as an international platform for shaping the future of minerals and managing responsible supply chains, adding that over the past four years it has played a key role in addressing the sector’s most pressing challenges, stimulating investment, and ensuring adequate mineral supply to support global development pathways., according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

The forum will be held from January 13 to 15 under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with the theme “Dawn of a Global Cause.”

Al-Mudaifer explained that the forum brings together governments, the private sector, financing institutions, and knowledge partners around the shared practical objective of securing the minerals required for a new era of global development, particularly in producing countries. He noted that the forum’s vision is built on three interlinked pillars: maximising economic returns for producing countries, embedding sustainability as a priority for markets and local communities, and enhancing the readiness of capabilities and institutions to ensure effective policy implementation and governance.

He pointed out that financing gaps in infrastructure and exploration remain among the main barriers to accelerating global mineral supply. Since its launch in 2022, the forum has adopted a practical approach that moves from dialogue to solutions, including developing applied models to identify global infrastructure needs and assess their economic impact, as well as coordinating with the World Bank to mobilize multilateral and commercial capital for cross-border projects.

 Al-Mudaifer added that the forum is working in parallel to build capacity in supplier countries through a Network of Centers of Excellence coordinated by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. The network focuses on technology, innovation, sustainability, and talent development, linking global expertise with the needs of producing countries and helping transform mineral resources into value-added, sustainable outcomes.

 He noted that the theme of the FMF reflects growing global awareness of the importance of minerals not only for industry but for human progress, stressing that the next phase requires executable partnerships that translate dialogue into practical solutions.

 For his part, FMF Executive Director Ali Al-Mutairi stated that the forum has in a short time become a central platform bringing together governments and sector leaders from around the world to discuss challenges and opportunities in the minerals industry. He explained that the 2026 program was designed to balance high-level strategic dialogue with clear implementation pathways, enabling a transition from interest to assessment and then to commitment, while ensuring that outcomes remain subject to follow-up after the forum concludes.

 Al-Mutairi confirmed that the International Ministerial Roundtable, which headlines the forum’s program, continues to consolidate its status as the largest government-led multilateral gathering in the mining and minerals sector. He said the FMF targets participation from 100 countries and 70 international organizations to discuss priorities for international cooperation in supply chains, infrastructure financing, capacity building, transparency, and sustainability.

 He added that the forum will feature more than 400 speakers, with chief executives and senior leaders accounting for around 90 percent of participants, alongside executives from the automotive, energy, and data-center sectors. He noted that about half of the speakers will be participating for the first time, reflecting the forum’s ability to renew dialogue, attract new voices, and strengthen its role as a global platform guiding the future of mining from vision to implementation.

 Meanwhile, FMF Director of Strategy and Program Aldo Pennini said this year's event reflects the forum’s maturity and a stronger focus on the quality of outcomes through specialized tracks that bring together investors, financiers, experts, and decision-makers to support the conversion of opportunities into measurable partnerships and initiatives.

 The FMF is expected to attract more than 20,000 participants, including ministers, leaders, experts, representatives of major global mining companies, international organizations, academic institutions, and financial entities.

 The program includes a wide range of activities, most notably the International Ministerial Roundtable and the launch of the “Future Minerals” report in partnership with McKinsey & Company. New initiatives include the Mining Investment Journey and the Gateway to Funding program in partnership with BMO (Bank of Montreal), MinGen workshops for youth and women in mining, the MinValley innovation and technology platform, and the Knowledge Exchange platform, which brings together experts to share the latest developments in geology, technology, sustainability, and skills development. The forum will also host specialized meetings, including the third International Geological Survey Leaders Meeting and the second Centers of Excellence and Technology Meeting, alongside regional leadership workshops for Africa, Central Asia, and Latin America.