Technology

WAM Saudi 2026, the Kingdom’s flagship tech-driven summit for advanced manufacturing and logistics, has opened in Riyadh under the patronage of Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, bringing together global policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s industrial transformation.

Held in strategic partnership with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones and organised by KAOUN International, the three-day summit and expo is taking place at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre. The event focuses on next-generation technologies, Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, and future-ready industrial ecosystems aligned with Vision 2030 goals.

Organisers said the forum is designed to future-proof industry through strategic dialogue on policy, trade, investment frameworks, supply chains, and digital transformation, while enabling cross-sector collaboration and global partnerships.

Alex Nicholl, Vice-President at KAOUN International, said the summit gives exporters and investors a platform to directly contribute to Saudi Arabia’s industrial growth, identify emerging demand areas, and anticipate future talent needs. He described WAM Saudi as more than an exhibition, calling it an integrated cluster representing the core pillars of industrial innovation.

The summit is structured around three main pillars: the Conference, the Investor Programme, and the Startup Competitions, all aimed at accelerating regional industrial advancement and technology adoption.

Day one sessions focused on human-centric automation, the transition toward Industry 5.0, green manufacturing, quantum technologies, and Saudi Arabia’s evolving model linking energy and manufacturing. Industry-stage discussions explored autonomous intelligence, cybersecurity in connected factories, and global best practices in advanced production systems.

Featured speakers included senior figures from government and industry, such as representatives from Aramco Digital, the China Energy Security Institute, and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, alongside former ministers and technology leaders from Europe and Asia.

Upcoming sessions will examine resilient supply chains, smart utilities, digital twins, high-speed connectivity in industrial parks, and the links between manufacturing performance, human capital, and innovation. An interactive entrepreneurship workshop will conclude the second day’s programme.

The Investor Programme is set to connect investors with high-potential startups and C-suite leaders across industrial innovation and sustainability. Startup competitions include the Supernova Industry X Pitch, River Venture Studio Pitch, and 1Trepreneur’s 1Tank platform, offering funding access and partnership opportunities.

The forum has drawn participants from more than 20 countries, with new international startup pavilions from Singapore and India debuting at the event. Supporting partners include United Nations Industrial Development Organization, BVMW, Business Finland, and Amazon Web Services, alongside major sponsors and innovation networks.

WAM Saudi 2026 highlights key forces reshaping global industry — including AI, robotics, automation, ESG, sustainability, and food security — while positioning Saudi Arabia as a growing global hub for advanced manufacturing and logistics leadership.

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