Editor’s note: At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Saudi Arabia outlined a series of initiatives spanning environmental protection, AI infrastructure, manufacturing, and sustainable development. Announcements included plans to host the first Global Coral Reef Summit in 2026, new financing to expand hyperscale AI data center capacity, and partnerships to accelerate advanced manufacturing and secure critical mineral supply chains. Together, these moves reflect how environmental policy, digital infrastructure, and industrial transformation are being positioned as linked priorities under Vision 2030, with implications for global sustainability efforts and the evolution of the MENA technology and innovation ecosystem.
Key points
- Saudi Arabia will host the first Global Coral Reef Summit in 2026 to address policy gaps and financing for reef protection.
- A strategic financing framework of up to $1.2 billion was announced to support up to 250 MW of hyperscale AI data center capacity.
- The Business4Land Champions’ Council was launched to mobilize private-sector leadership on land restoration and drought resilience.
- A new Lighthouse Operating System framework aims to accelerate manufacturing transformation and non-oil industrial growth.
- A cooperation agreement with WEF will focus on securing sustainable supplies of critical minerals through 2027.
Why this matters
The announcements signal a coordinated approach linking sustainability, AI infrastructure, and industrial policy at a national scale. For builders and investors, the focus on hyperscale data centers and advanced manufacturing points to growing demand for digital infrastructure and critical technologies in the Kingdom. For the region, integrating environmental initiatives with economic diversification highlights how climate resilience, AI capacity, and industrial competitiveness are increasingly treated as interconnected pillars of long-term growth.
What to watch next
- Details on the agenda, participants, and outcomes expected from the Global Coral Reef Summit in 2026.
- Progress on financing arrangements and timelines for the planned AI data center capacity.
- Implementation milestones for the Lighthouse Operating System and manufacturing initiatives.
- Updates from the joint executive committee overseeing the critical minerals cooperation through 2027.
Disclosure: The content below is a press release provided by the company/PR representative. It is published for informational purposes.
Davos, Switzerland. 22 January 2026 – The Saudi delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 today observed a series of announcements aimed at addressing urgent global challenges.
Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America, announced that Saudi Arabia will host the first Global Coral Reef Summit in 2026, bringing together global leaders, scientists, and investors to drive solutions for the protection and recovery of coral reef ecosystems.
The summit will address key challenges and policy and regulatory gaps, develop science-based solutions, and advance sustainable financing and investment mechanisms to scale coral reef protection and recovery.
Building on the call for constructive dialogue in an era of fragmentation, His Excellency Ahmed A. Alkhateeb, Minister of Tourism, said: “Tourism brings peace at a time when it's needed – connecting people and encouraging dialogue. Tourism growth is good for peace, it's good for people, good for youth, and good for women.”
On the Kingdom's ambitions to become a global hub for AI, His Excellency Abdullah A. Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, commented: “Saudi Vision 2030 was about economic diversification and empowering youth. Fast forward to today and we've achieved 56% non-oil contribution to GDP, and in terms of talent and youth, our tech force has increased dramatically.”
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 the Kingdom. The agreement outlines non-binding financing terms for HUMAIN's development of up to 250 MW of hyperscale AI data center capacity.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 Presidency also launched the Business4Land (B4L) Champions' Council. This high-level coalition brings together CEOs, sustainability leaders, investors, and policymakers to accelerate land restoration, combat land degradation, and strengthen drought resilience.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM,) in collaboration with WEF, announced the Lighthouse Operating System, a country-level framework designed to accelerate manufacturing transformation. Developed in partnership with WEF's Advanced Manufacturing and Production Centre (AMPC), this initiative aims to diversify the Kingdom's economy, build robust non-oil industries, and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and logistics.
MIM and WEF announced a cooperation agreement on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum, which took place the week before the WEF Annual Meeting. The agreement runs until September 2027 and aims to unify efforts to strengthen partnerships around critical minerals required for energy and other technologies, contributing to the assurance of resilient, sustainable, and responsible mineral supplies aligned with industrial objectives and the energy transition. According to the agreement, the initiative will be overseen by a joint executive committee comprising representatives from the ministry and WEF.
Media Contact:
Danah Alhumaid
dalhumaid@mep.gov.sa
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