Global Research Leaders Convene for 2nd Centers of Excellence Meeting in Riyadh at the 5th Future Minerals Forum
Riyadh hosted the second edition of the Network of Centers of Excellence (CoE) and Technology, one of three initiatives established by the Future Minerals Forum aimed at enhancing capacity building across the Mining Super Region that spans Africa, Central and Western Asia, as well as Latin America.
The CoE, held as part of the fifth Future Minerals Forum, drew participation from global industry leaders, academics, geologists, and representatives from research, innovation, and development sectors.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Eng. Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs, reinforced that the meeting forms part of a global effort to develop modern, responsible and technologically advanced mining industries.
He emphasised that the meeting and the CoE were critical to the sector, ensuring stable supplies of minerals essential to global electrification, while creating jobs and economic development for host countries.
Al-Mudaifer went on to underscore the importance of closing the talent gap, noting the need to address the retirement of an experienced generation by attracting new investment and equipping the next generation with the skill sets required to meet sustained workforce demand across the sector.
Along with other industry experts, the Vice Minister reviewed the CoE roadmap and the distribution of its strategic roles across the Super Region. They include: The Sustainability Center at University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Morocco will host a sustainability hub to enhance transparency and develop responsible mining standards Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa will host and lead a talent development and research hub Mining Innovation and Acceleration Park (MIAP) in Riyadh will serve as the regional hub for technology and innovation, as well as the coordinator of the network
The meeting featured specialized discussion sessions addressing four strategic objectives: Accelerating research and development to innovate and disrupt mineral exploration, extraction, and processing Building a global network to share insights, best practices, and resources to leverage the hubs as catalysts for economic growth and infrastructure development. Facilitating technology transfer from other sectors, such as medicine, space and hydrocarbons to the mineral sector And defining modes of partnering and integrating the regional network of COE.
Taking place on 14 - 15 January, FMF 2026 will convene a record global audience of ministers, industry leaders, investors, researchers and practitioners from across the minerals value chain. Building on the work of initiatives such as the Network of Centers of Excellence, the Forum will host targeted engagement streams on investment, innovation, talent development and knowledge exchange, designed to translate collaboration into practical outcomes. Together, these platforms reinforce FMF’s role as a global convening point where policy, capital and capability align to strengthen resilient, future-ready minerals supply chains.