Future Minerals Forum 2026 In Riyadh: Shaping Global Mineral Supply Chains For Sustainable Development

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has announced the fifth Future Minerals Forum (FMF 2026), scheduled for January 13-15, 2026, in Riyadh. The event, under the theme "Dawn of a Global Cause," is supported by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Minister Bandar Alkhorayef expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their ongoing support.

The FMF aims to strengthen Saudi Arabia's leadership in global mining discussions. It serves as a key platform for shaping the future of minerals and promoting responsible supply chains. Over the past four years, FMF has addressed critical issues in the sector, encouraging investment and sustainable mineral supply.

Minister Alkhorayef highlighted that FMF is more than just an event; it is a call to action. The theme "Dawn of a Global Cause" signifies the crucial role minerals play in global progress. The forum seeks to inspire change and forge new partnerships within the sector.

The FMF will gather diverse stakeholders, including governments, industry leaders, multilateral organizations, and academia. This gathering occurs at a time when minerals are vital for achieving global electrification goals. The forum will focus on funding infrastructure projects to unlock mineral corridors in Africa and Latin America.

The FMF 2026 program includes a government-led Ministerial Roundtable focusing on three main areas: funding infrastructure projects, building capacity through Centers of Excellence, and enhancing supply-chain transparency with traceability schemes.

At the previous Ministerial Roundtable in 2025, Saudi Arabia hosted representatives from over 90 countries, including G20 nations and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank. Discussions centered on strengthening collaboration across Africa, West Asia, and other supplier regions.

Achievements from Previous Forums

The fourth FMF demonstrated significant global engagement with 18,000 participants from 165 countries. It facilitated agreements worth SAR 107 billion across exploration, R&D, and sustainability initiatives. Notable announcements included ventures by Aramco-Ma'aden and Ma'aden's new discoveries.

The accompanying exhibition featured 170 exhibitors and national pavilions. Past forums have seen participation from industry giants such as BHP, Rio Tinto, and Barrick Gold. China's Baosteel announced plans for its first overseas steel plant in Saudi Arabia during FMF 2025.

Future Prospects

The upcoming fifth FMF Roundtable will review progress under the International Critical Minerals Framework. It will track impacts using the Future Minerals Barometer and mobilize efforts to ensure mineral-rich regions play a central role in shaping a sustainable global minerals future.

The unveiling of the Future Minerals Barometer highlights FMF's commitment to monitoring global mineral supply chain dynamics effectively. This tool aims to provide authoritative insights into these dynamics as part of broader efforts to foster resilient supply chains globally.

With inputs from SPA