Global institutional investors, leading international investors, developers, policymakers and city leaders will be in Riyadh from October 20 to 21 for the first edition of Mipim Middle East where they will explore the trends, policies and investment opportunities shaping the future of cities, focusing on capital deployment, urban and sustainable development strategies.
Unveiling the programme for the debut edition of Mipim Middle East, the organisers said the two-day event in Riyadh would bring together industry leaders for high-level discussions, networking and deal-making.
Held at Sofitel, Riyadh, the event will connect the global real estate investment community with the Middle East's most ambitious development projects and urban transformation opportunities, thus reinforcing Saudi Arabia's position as a leading destination for international investment.
The programme will bring together senior decision-makers from across the investment, real estate, infrastructure, hospitality and public sectors. Confirmed global investors include: Aberdeen Investments, Arcapita, Clarion Partners, EQT Partners, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, Hines, Legal & General Asset Management, Schroders, UBS, GLP, Panattoni, Lazard, KFH Capital, Neuberger, GFH Partners, Equitativa, Madison Realty capital and ING bank.
The event will also feature participation from leading hospitality and tourism organisations: Hyatt, Kempinski Hotels, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Hotel101 Global, Accor, Marriott, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Shangri-La Group, reflecting the growing importance of tourism-led development across the region.
They will be joined by some of the largest organisations in real estate and investment from across the GCC, led by PIF-owned New Murabba and Soudah Development, alongside Dar Al Arkan, Cenomi Centers, Waha Capital, Mabanee, Rafal Real Estate Development, Thakher Development, Assayel Arabia, OPM and Rikaz. Together, they will highlight the breadth of development opportunities across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
The conference programme will explore the trends, policies and investment opportunities shaping the future of cities, focusing on capital deployment, urban development, hospitality growth, mega-events, innovation, technology and sustainable development strategies and will feature keynote interviews and high-level panel discussions exploring the opportunities and challenges shaping real estate investment across the Middle East.
Highlights include a keynote interview with Khaled S. Al Khattaf, the CEO of the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA), titled "Riyadh at the Heart of Vision 2030: Regulation, Investment & Economic Transformation", examining how regulatory reforms, foreign ownership policies, capital market evolution and strategic investment initiatives are strengthening the Kingdom's position as a global investment destination.
Additional programme highlights include:
Inside the Minds of Global Investors: Uncovering the Real Estate Strategies Shaping the Middle East:
•Oliver Hogg, CEO & Board Member, Arzan Investment Management
•Sara Nayef Al-Ateeqi, Vice Chairman and Acting CEO, Al Mal Investment Company
•Doha Hassani, Executive Director, Rava Partners - Hillhouse Real Assets
Branded Residences in the Middle East: From Luxury Asset to Lifestyle Imperative:
•Dr Raihan Jumah, Co-Founder and CEO, Kingdom International Real Estate
•Jaidev (JD) Menezes, Regional Vice President - Mixed-Use Development EMEA, Marriott International
•Govind Mundra, Head of Development, Middle East & Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
•Arif Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Flow - UAE
•Paul Kapiris, Head of Hospitality Middle East, Eastdil Secured Savills.
The programme has been designed to facilitate meaningful connections between investors seeking opportunities in the Middle East and the developers, project owners and policymakers driving the region's next phase of growth.
Through keynote sessions, panel discussions and networking opportunities, delegates will gain direct access to the people and projects shaping some of the world's most ambitious urban transformations.
Building on the success of Mipim in Cannes and Mipim Asia in Hong Kong, Mipim Middle East marks a significant new chapter for the global Mipim community, creating a platform that connects regional opportunities with international capital and expertise.
Nicolas Boffi, Mipim Director, said: "Launching for the first time in Riyadh, Mipim Middle East marks a new chapter for the global Mipim community. Under the theme 'One Mipim. Three Global Markets. One Investment Community', we are bringing together regional investors, developers, cities and businesses with international capital, expertise and opportunities at a time when dialogue and connection across markets matter more than ever."
"Building on the success of Mipim in Cannes and Mipim Asia, this new edition places the Mipim community at the heart of one of the world's most dynamic real estate markets," stated Boffi.
"Our inaugural programme reflects the scale of ambition, innovation and investment opportunity that exists across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East while recognising the importance of bringing people together in a changing regional environment," he added.
