Riyadh: Riyadh will welcome global mining leaders on Tuesday, January 13, for the 5th Ministerial Roundtable. As a headliner of the Future Minerals Forum, the world's largest mineral gathering, the Ministerial Roundtable will address the sector's critical role in supporting global economic growth and resilient mineral supply chains.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this year's roundtable records the highest level of international representation to date, with confirmed participation from over 100 countries, including all G20 member states and the European Union, 59 multilateral organizations, industry associations, and non-governmental organizations, and 14 senior business leaders. This highlights the Roundtable's status as a leading global platform for aligning perspectives, building partnerships, and advancing practical solutions to the challenges facing the global mining and minerals sector.
The Ministerial Roundtable agenda will focus on reviewing progress across the three ministerial initiatives, outlining next steps, and discussing funding pathways for the priority mineral infrastructure corridors. It will also focus on avenues for strengthening cooperation in capacity building with international partners.
The Roundtable will review progress on an international standard, developed in cooperation with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), to advance responsible mining and supply chain transparency, traceability and sustainability integration.
The agenda will further address practical steps to strengthen capacity building through the global network of Centers of Excellence, supporting investment, skills development, technology, and innovation, as well as policy and research.
Discussions will also cover the Future Minerals Framework as a practical pathway to align priorities and enhance global cooperation with industry, multilateral organizations, and civil society.
Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef will deliver the opening address, highlighting Saudi Arabia's critical role in advancing sustainable mineral development. The address will emphasize the strategic integration of investment, innovation, and national talent empowerment, reinforcing the Kingdom's emerging position as a global hub for driving collaboration in the sector.
Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Almudaifer affirmed that the Ministerial Roundtable represents an important milestone in translating global dialogue into practical action.
He noted that the year-round efforts of initiative groups, comprising 141 experts from 42 countries, enable the Roundtable to deliver practical outcomes through programs that advance sustainability, expand investment, and reinforce resilient mineral supply chains for future industries.
Almudaifer added that FMF has become a global platform that convenes decision-makers and industry leaders at a critical time marked by rapidly growing demand for minerals. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia continues to play a role in building bridges to foster international cooperation and developing an advanced mining ecosystem that balances economic growth with environmental and social responsibility.
FMF 2026 will host a record eight program streams, including a new Gateway to Funding initiative in partnership with BMO (Bank of Montreal), at which 13 companies, including seven of the world's top 50 miners, will present strategic outlooks to global investors.
MinGen workshops to support youth and women in mining; MinValley platform for innovation and technology. It will also feature the third International Geological Survey meeting, Knowledge Exchange, where experts will share the latest advancements in technology and sustainability.
The forum will also host 13 leadership roundtables, up from eight in 2025, with support from anchor partners.
The conference will be held from January 13 to 15 and will feature more than 400 speakers, 90% of whom are CEOs and senior leaders, alongside key figures from the automotive, energy, and data center industries. Around 50% of the speakers will be participating for the first time, highlighting the Forum's ability to lead global dialogue on minerals and strengthen its role as a platform shaping the future of minerals from vision to execution.
