WEF26: Saudi Arabia leads global push to protect coral reefs and unlock AI potential

Government

WEF26: Saudi Arabia leads global push to protect coral reefs and unlock AI potential

Saudi Arabia announced a series of major initiatives at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026, underscoring the Kingdom’s expanding role in addressing global environmental, technological, and economic challenges.

Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States, revealed that Saudi Arabia will host the first Global Coral Reef Summit in 2026. The summit will convene world leaders, scientists, investors, and policymakers to accelerate solutions for the protection and recovery of coral reef ecosystems. Discussions will focus on closing policy and regulatory gaps, advancing science-based solutions, and developing sustainable financing and investment mechanisms to scale coral reef conservation efforts.

Highlighting tourism’s role in fostering dialogue and stability, His Excellency Ahmed A. Alkhateeb, Minister of Tourism, said tourism can act as a bridge between cultures at a time of global fragmentation, delivering benefits for peace, youth, women, and communities worldwide.

Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence was reinforced by His Excellency Abdullah A. Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology. He noted that Saudi Vision 2030 has driven economic diversification, with non-oil sectors now contributing 56 per cent of GDP, alongside rapid growth in the Kingdom’s technology workforce and youth participation.

Earlier in the day, HUMAIN and the National Infrastructure Fund (Infra) announced a strategic financing framework agreement of up to $1.2 billion to support the expansion of AI and digital infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. The non-binding agreement outlines financing terms for HUMAIN’s planned development of up to 250 megawatts of hyperscale AI data centre capacity, strengthening the Kingdom’s digital backbone.

In parallel, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 Presidency launched the Business4Land (B4L) Champions’ Council, a high-level coalition of CEOs, investors, sustainability leaders, and policymakers. The initiative aims to accelerate land restoration, combat land degradation, and enhance global drought resilience through coordinated private- and public-sector action.

Further advancing industrial transformation, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM), in collaboration with WEF, announced the Lighthouse Operating System—a country-level framework designed to fast-track manufacturing transformation. Developed with WEF’s Advanced Manufacturing and Production Centre, the initiative seeks to diversify the Saudi economy, strengthen non-oil industries, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and logistics.

On the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum, MIM and WEF also confirmed a cooperation agreement running until September 2027. The agreement aims to align efforts on securing critical minerals essential for energy transition and advanced technologies, supporting resilient, sustainable, and responsible mineral supply chains under joint oversight.

Together, the announcements at WEF26 highlight Saudi Arabia’s integrated approach to sustainability, digital transformation, and economic diversification on the global stage.