Day two of the 21st UNIDO General Conference in Riyadh concluded with high-level ministerial interventions, strategic discussions on investment and industrial development, and a dynamic Africa Investment Roundtable focused on bankable projects, industrial corridors, and sustainable economic transformation.

The day opened with the Plenary Session titled “Introduction to Investment & Partnerships,” where H.E. Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, delivered a keynote address highlighting Saudi Arabia’s national priorities for empowering women and youth in the industrial sector.

AlKhorayef affirmed the Kingdom’s ambition to become one of the world’s most attractive destinations for industrial investment, noting that Saudi Arabia’s young talent and growing female workforce are redefining the country’s industrial future. He emphasized that women are now leading factories, managing industrial zones, and contributing meaningfully across economic sectors, supported by comprehensive capability-building programs designed to accelerate their participation in future industries.

He also highlighted youth-driven initiatives such as the Saudi Made and Future Factory programs, which have become evidence of the innovative capabilities of the next generation. These national efforts, he stated, form a core pillar of building a competitive, opportunity-driven industrial ecosystem aligned with Vision 2030.

At midday, during the session entitled “Enabling Two-Way Investment with the Middle East: Leveraging Economic Diversification for Mutual Growth,” H.E. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, highlighted global industrial competitiveness and the emergence of a new landscape for global supply chains. Industrial production is no longer concentrated in a few major global hubs; instead, supply chains are being reshaped into regionally connected industrial clusters that are leveraging this shift to attract investment and increase their industrial significance.

He affirmed that the Kingdom is steadily advancing toward greater industrial competitiveness thanks to its strategic location, unique resources, and ambitious economic reforms, noting that Saudi Arabia has today become one of the key pillars in the reshaping of global supply chains.