Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the world’s leading sovereign wealth funds, announced today that top speakers from the investment world had confirmed their attendance at the invitation-only Future Investment Initiative (FII), to be held in Riyadh from October 24 to 26.

 

It is estimated that the speakers at FII control a combined asset value of $22 trillion.

 

Confirmed speakers represent the leaders of major asset managers, such as: Thomas Barrack - executive chairman, Colony NorthStar; Leon Black - chairman and CEO, Apollo Global Management; Victor Chu - chairman and CEO, First Eastern Investment Group; and Larry Fink, chairman and CEO, BlackRock, said a statement.

 

Asset managers will be joined by speakers represent a range of sovereign wealth funds and pension funds including: Kirill Dmitriev - CEO Russian Direct Investment Fund; Jeffrey Jaensubjakij - managing director and Group CIO, GIC; Azman Mokhtar - director and CEO, Khazanah Nasional Berhad Malaysia; and Shahmar Movsumov - chief executive officer, State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan.

 

Leading GCC sovereign wealth funds will also be represented, including by Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji - CEO, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company; and Khaldoon Al Mubarak - group chief executive and managing director, Mubadala Investment Company.

 

Over the past five years, sovereign wealth funds have significantly increased their exposure to emerging markets, while at the same time moving away from investment in foreign government bonds. While this partly reflects geopolitical instability, it is also a recognition that high yield returns are more readily available in the private sector. In particular alternative, unlisted and private investment portfolios, often in emerging technologies, are becoming increasingly popular with managers. The growth of funds in the Middle East and Asia enables managers from these regions to increasingly drive the global investment agenda, said the statement.

 

The highly collaborative and interactive programme has been carefully structured to allow investment leaders to discuss a range of topics pertinent to the current and future trends.

 

The programme will also explore how investors can reconcile the demands to consider the environmental, social and governance benefits alongside the traditional returns drivers. Another key focus area will be how to meet transparency requirements and actively build trust with public constituents. Participants will also gain insights direct from global sovereign wealth fund leaders on how they can adapt to new technology driven strategies.

 

The investment themes have been developed through three key content pillars: Shifting centers of power; the new investment paradigm; and innovation for a better world, said the statement.