Minerals Cooperation Between Saudi Arabia And World Economic Forum Advances Global Supply Chains

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the World Economic Forum agreed a new cooperation that runs until September 2027, using the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh as the main platform. The partnership focuses on critical minerals that support energy systems and modern technologies. It aims to help secure mineral supplies that are resilient, sustainable and responsible, in line with industrial policy and global energy transition goals.

Under the agreement, a joint executive committee will manage implementation, with representatives from the ministry and the World Economic Forum. This committee will oversee dialogue, planning and review. The cooperation seeks to support mineral value chains from exploration to end use. It will prioritise capacity building, risk management and transparent practices across producing and consuming countries.

The Future Minerals Forum has grown into an influential global meeting since its launch in 2022. FMF offers a space where governments, companies and experts discuss mineral traceability, sustainability and investment. It provides structured dialogue that links policy discussions with industry needs. The forum also highlights opportunities in new mining regions, including those near Saudi Arabia, and helps connect investors with projects.

Within this wider role, the Future Minerals Forum and the World Economic Forum will work together to mobilise both public and private sectors. They will encourage joint initiatives that improve resilience in mineral value chains and strengthen transparency standards. The partners plan to generate and share knowledge on mineral traceability systems, including digital tools and reporting methods. These efforts are intended to support practical policy choices that can expand secure supply.

Insights from this cooperation will feed into existing Future Minerals Forum programmes that seek to raise standards and good practices in the minerals sector. The agreement highlights plans to support enabling policies, technology uptake and new operating models across supply chains. It also targets environmental, social and corporate governance improvements, aiming for responsible extraction, processing and trade. Addressing sustainability and efficiency challenges remains a central objective of the planned activities.

The ministry stated that the partnership marks a key step in advancing FMF’s goals to build a more sustainable and fair global minerals system. The collaboration with the World Economic Forum reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to act as an important hub within worldwide mineral value chains. The arrangement is presented as part of the Kingdom’s broader industrial strategy and its role in energy transition discussions.

Fernando J. Gómez from the World Economic Forum expressed support for the agreement, noting that secure and sustainable mineral supplies depend on close cooperation across sectors and borders. The partnership is expected to help highlight how mineral resources can support sustainable growth and shared prosperity. It also fits with the World Economic Forum’s function as a neutral, non-profit international organisation that promotes solution-focused dialogue on long-term resource security and inclusive development.

Outcomes and analysis from the joint work are planned for presentation at the sixth edition of the Future Minerals Forum, scheduled in Riyadh in January 2027. The ministry, the World Economic Forum and FMF will use the agreement to deepen cooperation between governments and private companies, and to back practical measures that improve mineral supply chains. This includes initiatives that deal with investment conditions, technology choices and regulatory frameworks in producing and consuming states.

The cooperation was announced on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, attended by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, FMF Chief Executive Ali Al-Mutairi and World Economic Forum Executive Committee Member Fernando J. Gómez. Through the FMF ministerial roundtable, the forum gathers senior officials, policymakers, industry leaders, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and other stakeholders. Together, they examine sector challenges, seek better investment opportunities and work to maintain responsible and resilient mineral supplies.

With inputs from SPA