Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources Unveils 5th Future Minerals Forum Program in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced the program details for the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), set to take place in Riyadh from January 13–15, 2026. FMF 2026 will convene under the theme “Dawn of a Global Cause” to herald a new age of minerals for development across supplier and consumer nations. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Forum, His Excellency, the Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs, Eng. Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer stated that the fifth edition reinforces Saudi Arabia’s growing global leadership and its commitment to shaping the future of minerals through dialogue to drive responsible, resilient supply chains. The Vice Minister noted that FMF vision is built on three interlinked pillars aimed at maximizing 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 the effective implementation of policies and governance frameworks. AlMudaifer noted that infrastructure and exploration financing gaps remain major barriers for supplier nations seeking to accelerate global mineral supply. Since its launch in 2022, the Conference has responded by moving from dialogue to action—developing practical models to assess global infrastructure needs and their economic impact and coordinating with the World Bank to mobilize multilateral and commercial capital for cross-border projects. He further noted that the Conference 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, connecting global expertise with the needs of producing countries and helping turn mineral resources into value-added, sustainable outcomes. This, he said, is captured in the theme of the fifth edition, which reflects growing global recognition of minerals as enablers of human progress, and that the next phase will require executable partnerships that turn dialogue into practical solutions. Meanwhile, the Executive Director of FMF, Ali Al-Mutairi, noted that FMF has become the world’s go-to forum for senior government officials, industry leaders, financiers, multilateral organizations, and stakeholders to convene and address the sector’s challenges, promote policies, and drive collaboration. “The Ministerial Roundtable, which headlines the Forum's program, continues to consolidate its status as the world's largest government-led gathering on minerals and mining,” Al-Mutairi said.” For the fifth edition, we are expecting participation from more than 100 countries and 70 international organizations to discuss priorities for enhancing global collaboration in supply chains, infrastructure financing, capacity building, transparency, and sustainability in the sector.” The Executive Director noted that FMF 2026 will feature more than 400 speakers, with C-level industry executives, CEOs, and senior leaders representing 90% of the speaker lineup. This includes representatives from 20 of the world's top 50 mining companies, as well as more than 20 CEOs from industries such as automotive, energy, and data centers. Al-Mutairi added that 50% of the speakers are participating in the Forum for the first time, reflecting its ability to further the dialogue on minerals, attract new voices, and reinforce its role as a global platform leading the future of the mining sector from vision to implementation. In his remarks, FMF Director of Strategy and Program, Aldo Pennini, affirmed that FMF is more than a conference, stating that the Forum will launch a Future Minerals Barometer, developed in partnership with McKinsey & Company and sector-leading experts, to track mineral trends and sentiments. “FMF Barometer is a first-of-its-kind global tool designed to measure and track the progress of critical mineral value-chain development across the ‘Super Region’ spanning Africa, Western Asia, Central Asia, and Latin America,” Aldo said. The Forum will feature a wide array of programs, most notably the Ministerial Roundtable, which serves as the headline opener of the conference. FMF 2026 will host a record eight program streams, including a new Gateway to Funding initiative in partnership with BMO (Bank of Montreal), at which 13 companies, including seven of the world’s top 50 miners, will present strategic outlooks to global investors. MinGen workshops to support youth and women in mining; MinValley platform for innovation and technology. It will also feature the third International Geological Survey meeting, Knowledge Exchange, where experts will share the latest advancements in technology and sustainability. The Forum will also host 13 leadership roundtables, up from eight in 2025, with support from anchor partners. The fifth edition is expected to attract more than 20,000 participants from different continents, including ministers, industry leaders, experts, major global mining companies, international organizations, academia, and financial institutions. To learn more about the Forum and its programs, visit https://www.futuremineralsforum.com/