Miami— Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute’s FII PRIORITY investor summit concluded on Friday, having explored a range of issues of global significance. The summit, entitled ‘On the Edge of a New Frontier,’ reflects the profound changes the world is experiencing as technology transforms society and economies.
Investors from the U.S. and around the world gathered with CEOs of major global corporations and policy experts to seek practical impactful solutions to issues such as the regulation of AI.
In his closing remarks, Richard Attias, CEO of FII Institute, said: “The time for action is now. More than 1000 leaders from finance, business and government attended this week’s summit in Miami, and all agreed that the world faces urgent challenges. Foremost amongst these challenges is the need for concerted, coordinated action, involving not just national governments but international organizations. That’s why summits such as this are so important as humankind grapples with huge issues that span borders, cultures, and will impact the generations to come.”
The second day featured a special breakfast session on how the 2024 U.S. election will impact the global economy. Joining Matteo Renzi, Senator of the Italian Republic and Former Prime Minister, were Mike Pompeo, 70th Secretary of State of the United States and Executive Chairman, lImpact Investments; Patrick Zhong, M31 Capital; Magda Wierzycka, Sygnia Ltd; Henadi Al Saleh, Agility; Macelo Claure, Claure Group; and Don Peebles, The Peebles Corporation. The session, moderated by Shannon K. O’Neil, Council on Foreign Relations, also covered the intersection of geopolitics and investment, noting the interconnectedness of both and their ability to impact the global outlook on economy and international cooperation.
In a candid, cross-generational discussion about the future of business, David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman of Carlyle, and daughter Gabrielle Rubenstein, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Manna Tree, shared their insights on several issues. The conversation underscored the evolving landscape of investment, highlighting the robust nature of private equity, and the importance of experiential branding.
With new technology reshaping the nexus between business and security, Cecilia Attias, Senior Vice-President of Public Affairs at RA&A, and Founder & President of Cecilia Attias Foundation for Women, discussed how to harness technology for security and stability with Palantir Co-Founder Dr. Alex Karp. The conversation covered the relationship between technology and ethics, highlighting the pivotal role of software in shaping society, and called for a balanced approach to privacy and security.
In keeping with Miami’s DNA, the summit also featured a number of panels dedicated to entertainment and sport, with actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Rob Lowe participating in the summit. Lowe, who is President of Lowe Profile Productions, and Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO Of Eldridge Industries Todd Boehly, engaged in a conversation about technology and the future of film and TV. Lowe noted that “consolidation is coming, and perhaps even bundling, but the important thing will always be the creatives. We’ve been telling stories since we sat by the campfire and we’ll be telling them when we’re orbiting the Earth.”
FII PRIORITY Miami also hosted a sports-focussed summit, which featured a session on the impact of the influx in new funding streams and how they redefine the entire sports ecosystem. Speakers in the session included Gerry Cardinale, Founder, Managing Partner & CIO at RedBird Capital Partners, former football star Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., Co-Founder of Trenches Capital, Sam Kennedy President & CEO Fenway Sports Group, owner of the Miami Dolphins and Chairman & Founder of The Related Companies Stephen Ross.
FII PRIORITY Summit Miami continues conversations held in Hong Kong and Riyadh in fall (autumn) 2023. It is part of an ongoing global programme of summits held throughout the year, with summits coming up in Rio de Janeiro in June and Riyadh in October.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Phone: +966 53 978 2030
Email: Media@fii-institute.org
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is a global non-profit foundation driven by data with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global and inclusive, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
The FII PRIORITY Miami summit continues conversations held in Hong Kong and Riyadh in Autumn 2023. It is part of an ongoing global program of summits held throughout the year, with upcoming summits in Rio de Janeiro in June and Asia later in the year.
Miami, FL – Leading figures from finance, government, business, tech, and innovation are convening to deliberate on a range of pressing economic and public policy issues at FII PRIORITY Miami summit, a major global investor summit, held today and tomorrow at Miami’s Faena Forum.
The summit brings together investors from around the world gathered with CEOs of major global corporations and policy experts to seek workable impactful solution to issues such as the regulation of AI. This year’s theme, ‘On the Edge of a New Frontier, reflects the profound changes the world is experiencing as technology transforms society and economies.
Richard Attias, CEO of FII Institute, said,“Today’s conversations reflected a sense of urgency as the world grapples with what to do about AI, political uncertainty, and changes in the shape of the global economy. And we bring these conversations to Miami—the new America—so we can chart a steadfast course towards a prosperous future, fully equipped with the insights and knowledge we need, harnessing the power of collective work and thought.”
In his opening conversation, H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Public Investment Fund Governor and Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute Chairman, underscored the role of AI and its key contribution to future economies, saying “Al is coming in a big way! The impact will be very positive as soon as we have regulations in place to monitor, control, and enable this technology. AI could increase global GDP by 14%.”
Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, addressed the issue of AI regulation, and how CEOs can innovate through periods of extreme volatility and pivot towards future trends, adding “regulations will struggle to match the rapid pace of technological change and may be outdated within a year. We have to ensure that emerging technologies reflect humanity and our system of values and beliefs.”
The summit’s much anticipated roundtable of global CEOs, entitled the “Board of Changemakers,” discussed trends and economic outlook. Participating in this year’s roundtable were Pamela Liebman, President and CEO of The Corcoran Group; Pierre Beaudion, Chairman of the Board of Bombardier Inc; Jenny Johnson, President and CEO of Franklin Templeton; Marcello Claure, Founder and CEO of Claure Group; and Stephen A. Schwarzman, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of The Blackstone Group. The session underscored the impact of digitalization, particularly blockchain and AI, on future investments, advocating for regulation and ethical usage. The members of the board also highlighted AI’s massive role in increasing efficiency and how AI can be harnessed to resolve climate change issues.
Mike Pompeo, 70th Secretary of State of the United States and Executive Chairman of Impact Investments, addressed the economic consequences of conflict, saying: “in the economic sphere, the connectivity between the things happening geopolitically is now ever more closely tied to thinking about investments and capital flows. It is impossible to separate geopolitical risk from capital allocation.”
Conclave sessions were held for select senior participants to delve into the concerns relevant to their sectors with full transparency. For example, the conclave on AI convened many leading figures involved in the development of technologies, governance of AI, technology investment, and regulation, with a number of global initiatives on AI regulation presented
A special address by former Treasury Secretary Dr. Lawrence H. Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor & President Emeritus at Harvard University, and board member at OpenAI, highlighted economic and political contexts, including prospects for soft or hard economic landing, and likely outcomes of the US election. Dr. Summers was joined by Eric Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Fututes, who noted that AI is likely to double everyone’s productivity, underscoring the importance of AI regulation, he added “there are questions about what happens when computers start to make decisions.”
FII Institute’s Founding Partner is the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which, alongside the Vision Partner, the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, and 26 international strategic partners are actively involved in the ongoing work of the institute. The FII Institute welcomed two new strategic partners at the summit: ACWA Power and Franklin Templeton. Speakers from strategic partners Franklin Templeton, GFH, HSBC, NEOM, ROSHN, Sanabil, Softbank, and State Street shared updates on their international projects relevant to the themes of the summit.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Phone: +966 53 978 2030
Email: Media@fii-institute.org
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is a global non-profit foundation driven by data with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global and inclusive, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
The FII PRIORITY Miami summit continues conversations held in Hong Kong and Riyadh in Autumn 2023. It is part of an ongoing global program of summits held throughout the year, with upcoming summits in Rio de Janeiro in June and Asia later in the year.
Riyadh: In a signing ceremony that took place today at the FII PRIORITY summit in Miami, ACWA Power announced its strategic partnership with the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute. This collaboration underscores the commitments of both organizations to sustainability and fostering sustainable investments aligned with global climate ambitions.
ACWA Power is the world’s largest private water desalination company, a first mover into green hydrogen and a leader in energy transition. Its partnership with FII Institute, the global non-profit organization that catalyzes sustainable and inclusive investments, is dedicated to advancing strategic initiatives that foster sustainable development around the world. This collaboration aims to harness their complementary strengths, focused on thought leadership in the fields of innovation, green technologies, and renewable energy.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, commented, “As a leader in green energy, water and hydrogen, ACWA Power is committed to driving the energy transition across the world. The signing today cements our strong relationship with the FII Institute and signifies a bold leap towards achieving our shared goal to tackle climate change.”
CEO of FII Institute, Richard Attias, celebrated the partnership, stating, “This moment heralds an era of purpose-driven collaboration. ACWA Power and FII Institute share a common vision to unlock sustainable opportunities that drive a positive Impact on Humanity and the environment by finding solutions to the world’s most pressing issues at this pivotal moment in the global energy transition.”
The strategic partnership between ACWA Power and FII Institute is poised to inspire a new wave of sustainable investments in the energy sector by fostering an inclusive global energy landscape that prioritizes sustainability, innovation, and long-term value creation for stakeholders.
The FII PRIORITY Miami summit is taking place in Miami, Florida, USA February 22-23, 2024, convening global leaders and decision makers to discuss the most critical issues facing humanity today. Under the theme, “On the Edge of a New Frontier,” the summit showcases disruptive technologies including green tech, connects ideas to investments, and helps changemakers accelerate innovation.
Media Inquiries
Please address any inquiries to: media@fii-institute.org
About FII Institute
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is global non-profit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global, inclusive, and driven by data: we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions and actions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
About ACWA Power
ACWA Power (TADAWUL:2082) is a Saudi-listed company and the world’s largest private water desalination company, the first mover into green hydrogen, and a leader in energy transition. Registered and established in 2004 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ACWA Power employs over 4,000 people and is currently present in 12 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. ACWA Power’s portfolio comprises 81 projects in operation, advanced development, or construction with an investment value of SAR 318 billion (USD 84.7 billion), and the capacity to generate 55.1 GW of power and manage 7.64 million m3/day of desalinated water per day, delivered on a bulk basis to address the needs of state utilities and industries on long term, off-taker contracts under utility services outsourcing and Public-Private-Partnership models.
Miami, Florida: Franklin Templeton, a global leader in asset management, and FII Institute, the global non-profit foundation on a mission to make an Impact on Humanity, have announced their three-year strategic partnership during the FII PRIORITY summit hosted today in Miami. The strategic partnership aims to elevate thought leadership in the field of investment and propel new investment opportunities on a global scale.
FII Institute is renowned for its commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering profound dialogue on critical investment and economic issues. Gathering leaders and visionaries from across the globe, FII Institute provides a variety of platforms for meaningful exchanges and impactful initiatives. It convenes world leaders, policymakers, top CEOs investors, academia, NGOs, entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists activists, and media for FII, its annual flagship conference in October in Riyadh. It also hosts FII PRIORITY summits around the world in cities like Miami, Hong Kong, and Rio de Janeiro, which serve as international hubs of investment, innovation and inspiration.
With over 75 years of investment expertise and as one of the world’s largest independent asset managers, Franklin Templeton is committed to driving client success through an unwavering focus on investment excellence delivered on a strong global platform. This is backed by investments in cutting edge technology and product innovation. In this way, clients receive a consistent, coordinated experience and are empowered with an extensive range of specialized capabilities, all delivered through one trusted global partner.
Speaking on the renowned “Board of Changemakers” panel discussion at FII PRIORITY Miami, Jenny Johnson, President and CEO of Franklin Templeton, shared her insights on the trends that will be most influential on the growth of companies in 2024. She underscored that it is the spirit of strategic partnership which has the power to create tangible impact in the world and weather volatility as we look to the future.
Richard Attias , CEO of FII Institute, welcomed Franklin Templeton to its growing list of international partners, noting, “the world of global investment is on the precipice of extraordinary transformation. This collaboration represents more than just a partnership of two influential entities; it embodies a convergence of vision and purpose with the collective determination to not only catalyze investments, but to also shape the future.”
Jenny Johnson commented, “At Franklin Templeton, we seek to drive strong investment outcomes by focusing on delivering investment excellence through a robust global platform. Our strategic partnership with FII Institute seamlessly aligns with this steadfast commitment and provides an opportunity to tap into new audiences where we can continue to share our expertise on a global scale.”
FII Institute will welcome over 1,000 registered attendees and over 120 speakers for its second edition of the FII PRIORITY Miami summit, hosted February 22 & 23, 2024 under the theme, “On the Edge of a New Frontier.” Discussions centered around disruptive technology, connecting ideas to investments, and accelerating innovation for the betterment of business and society.
For media inquiries, please contact media@fii-institute.org.
About FII Institute:
FII Institute is a global, nonprofit foundation driven by data with one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global and inclusive, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions and actions in four critical areas: AI & Robotics, Education, Healthcare, and Sustainability.
About Franklin Templeton:
Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,400 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of January 31, 2024. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
MIAMI, FL – 4 Jan 2024. The FII Institute is thrilled to announce the return of the FII PRIORITY Miami summit, themed ‘On the Edge of a New Frontier’.
This prestigious event is set to take place on February 22-23, 2024, at the Faena Hotel & Forum, Miami Beach.
Building on the inaugural event’s success, FII PRIORITY Miami 2024 aims to be a pivotal platform for global leaders, investors, CEOs, entrepreneurs, scientists, cultural figures, media, and FII Institute members.
This year’s summit offers an interactive program, focusing on disruptive technologies and fostering innovation for investment and societal betterment. It is an opportunity to explore and discuss how cutting-edge advancements in AI, robotics, healthcare, finances and sustainability can be harmoniously integrated into our global society.
Central to the summit’s objectives is bridging the Americas to global markets and addressing key challenges for a thriving future. In Miami’s dynamic entrepreneurial and vibrant corporate landscape, the summit will facilitate critical discussions on international markets and innovative global ecosystem integration.
Guided by insights from the FII PRIORITY Compass report, speakers and attendees will tackle urgent global issues identified in the report, including the cost of living, social inclusion, and technology challenges. These discussions are more relevant than ever, as economic growth and advanced technologies evolve, presenting humanity with pivotal choices that impact sustainable progress and well-being.
The event is set to host over 1000 business and finance leaders, making it a not-to-be-missed opportunity for networking and collaborative engagement in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Richard Attias, CEO of the FII Institute, emphasizes the summit’s crucial role: “As we convene some of the brightest minds across various sectors, our focus will be on responsible decision-making in investment and economic growth. This summit is a stepping stone towards shaping a sustainable and technologically advanced future.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
– Phone: +966 53 978 2030
– Email: Media@fii-institute.org
About the FII Institute:
The FII Institute is a global non-profit foundation focused on impactful solutions in AI and robotics, education, healthcare, and sustainability. With a data-driven approach combined with an innovative investment arm, the Institute has been at the forefront of fostering transformative changes and global collaboration.
The Inaugural Asia FII PRIORITY Summit, Powered by FII Institute and held Dec 7-8 in Hong Kong, convened nearly 1000 business and finance leaders from around the world together to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing humanity.
Front and center were the considerations around technology, with the FII PRIORITY Compass showing we are at a tipping point when it comes to AI: while 46% of the people believe that generative AI tools can add value in their everyday lives, 41% see it as a threat to society. What is more, nearly two thirds of citizens (62%) believe governments need to do more to regulate the impact of AI, a concern that is most strongly expressed in emerging markets (66% vs. 58% in developed markets).
With global concerns running ahead of government action, and with notable industry leaders themselves expressing disquiet, an urgent need for immediate and robust global action has been identified at FII.
The Asia FII PRIORITY Summit assembled global leaders to review the work program of the FII AI Coalition, an international, private-sector led effort to advance the AI alignment agenda globally and bringing together investors, corporations, government leaders and academics from developed and emerging markets to engage in a frank and candid dialogue on the critical issue of AI alignment.
Over the coming year, the AI Coalition will focus its efforts on three important strategic areas:
- Improving response preparedness by mapping out viable solutions to global AI risks and helping to mobilize resources towards them.
- Bridging the gaps between developed and emerging markets by proposing solutions that can help ensure AI alignment at the local level. A central element of that effort will be the creation of a blueprint on how to build locally-aligned models reflective of local culture and values.
- Growing the momentum for global action by providing a platform where global AI initiatives can meet to cooperate and by bringing the voice and the work of the FII AI Coalition to all international efforts focused on concrete responses.
The coalition will convene at each FII PRIORITY to meet with members, report on progress and accelerate action.
Richard Attias, CEO of FII Institute: “The next 12 months will determine the way the world chooses to respond to AI risks and harness AI’s full potential. Citizens demand action, and we stand ready to play our part. The FII AI coalition is a key element of that effort and we look forward to working with all interested parties – because this concerns us all and only by working together can we ensure AI positively impacts humanity.”
Eric Pulier, CEO, Vatom Corporation and co-chair of the FII AI coalition “To ensure AI benefits everybody, we need to develop locally-trained models that reflect all customs and traditions, not just one. Demand for such ‘localization’ is rising across the globe. The blueprint we are working on will provide guidance for how public and private actors can work together to realize the full promise of AI while preserving their most important resource– the history and culture of their people.”
Caroline Yap, Managing Director, Global AI Business, Google and co-chair of the FII AI conclave in Hong Kong: “The world’s leading tech companies and technologist are rapidly coming to a consensus that immediate action is necessary. Three things are needed for a coalition to succeed at scale: timing, relevance and momentum. The FII AI Coalition Shas all three. It is a wonderful opportunity for the private sector to lead on the issue of AI Alignment and to help advance global action on this critical topic.”
The Future Investment Initiative PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong today reconvened leaders from finance and government for a second day to address global matters of concern to humanity.
One thousand global investors, policy makers, innovators and business leaders were joined by counterparts from across Asia to discuss ‘megatrends’ including the unstoppable rise of Asia as an economic power, the impact of technology on lifestyles and jobs, and the deployment of capital between diverse markets and economies.
The day began with a presentation by FII Institute CEO Richard Attias and COO Rakan Tarabzoni of the Priority Compass Report, a global survey of 53,000 people across 23 countries. The survey revealed a sharp drop of 20% worldwide in people’s overall satisfaction with their lives, with respondents reporting concerns over cost of living, loneliness, technology, and climate concerns. 65% of people in countries polled are worried about day-to-day living costs. Loneliness has leaped up the list of concerns, with 41% of Asia’s population reporting frequent feelings of loneliness. 55% of people worldwide are worried about access to affordable and accessible healthcare and climate concerns continue to deepen as 78% of people across the Global South are worried about pollution.
Laurence Moroney, Lead AI Advocate at Google addressed concerns about AI and the risk of biases emerging because of reliance on narrow English language datasets. Moroney pointed out that 60% of information on Web 2.0 is generated by bots.
He also argued that innovators in AI need to account for distinctive local cultural identities in the development of AI models and explained that Google’s Gemini is working to condense and preserve cultures into small models, allowing people to interact with, learn about, and preserve individual distinctive cultures.
A panel discussion on cost of living heard Jerry Li, Founder and Managing Partner eWTP Arabia Capital describe data as the new oil, a resource driving innovation and progress. The 120 zettabytes (120, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000 bytes) generated in 2023 is expected to increase by over 150% in 2025, to 181 zettabytes.
During a panel discussion on the future of work Edith Yeung of Race Capital suggested that AI will free people from doing the things that they do not want to do, freeing them for more meaningful activities. The average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime.
Raymond Yuan, CEO & Chairman CTH Group pointed out synergies between blockchain and AI starting to emerge in healthcare, life sciences, as well as financial services. The global Blockchain Market size was estimated to be approximately $7.4 billion in 2022 and the global artificial intelligence market $428 billion.
A panel of leading Asian venture capitalists debated ways in which Asia can grow vibrant and successful startup ecosystems, with $22.3 billion invested in Asian startups between July and September 2023.
Discussing the impact of investment on longevity and ageing Joshua Fink, Founder Luma Group, explained that revolutionary regenerative medicine, inspired by Nobel Prize-winning research, can reverse cells to a pre-disease state, offering hope against genetic diseases.
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman, Saudi Esports Federation described the spectacular growth of gaming over the last 20 years at 12% per year. By the end of 2023 it is projected there will be 3.75 billion gamers in the world.
In a ‘titan of industry’ fireside chat with Sir Martin Sorrell, Richard Attias and Sorrell surveyed the global media sector, worth $950 billion, with digital projected to comprise 70% by 2025. On the future of platforms such as TikTok Sorrell explained that with young people’s views being shaped by new forms of social media, issues surrounding data safety and privacy will continue. Discussing ‘hyper personalization’ he pointed out that Coca Cola is thinking about the potential for AI to target individual messages to consumers.
Rakan Tarabzoni, COO, FII Institute presented the summit with FII’s inclusive ESG tool, launched to help companies in emerging markets improve sustainability and help investment capital find current and future performance leaders. The tool, which has been made publicly available will address biases inbuilt in other ESG methods and may unlock a $5.4 trillion funding gap of investments into emerging markets.
In the final session HE Kjell Magne Bondevik former Prime Minister of Norway and President, Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Right declared himself convinced that businesses that take more seriously the concerns of common people will be the businesses that will thrive in the future.
The FII Institute has worked with HKEX and consulting firm Deloitte to offset the carbon emissions generated by the summit, by purchasing credits on the HKEX Core Climate exchange, exemplifying a shared conviction that purposeful markets and business can serve humanity as a force for good.
During the summit BOC International signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with SPIC International Finance (Hong Kong) Company Ltd. on green finance, bond investment and issuance, and global capital management. The signing was witnessed by Mr. Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong SAR.
The summit, held in partnership with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), took place at HKEX Connect Hall.
The FII PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong continues conversations held in Riyadh last month. It is part of an ongoing global programme of summits, to be held next year in Miami (February) Brazil (June) and Africa (September))
Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative Institute said:
“I should like to thank Hong Kong Government, the Hong Kong Exchange and the people of this fabulous city for the welcome they have shown us this week. As the world charts its forward course we must be mindful at every turn of the issues that matter. Whether it’s cost of living, developing new modes of payment, new social media platforms, or poverty, it is investment and innovation that can make the difference. The investors and innovators here this week have taken these issues seriously and the conversations and hard work will continue as we strive for a better tomorrow.”
ENDS
For media inquiries, please contact:
Phone: +966 53 978 2030
Email: Media@fii-institute.org
About FII Institute
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is a global non-profit foundation driven by data with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global and inclusive, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
Hong Kong, 7 December 2023
The Future Investment Initiative PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong today convenes global investors, innovators and policymakers to tackle technology, climate, and economy threats.
Investors and leaders from across Asia have gathered in Hong Kong with counterparts from around the world at an international summit to address global challenges, and the mobilisation of investment as a force for good.
His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute introduced the inaugural Asia FII PRIORITY summit.
HE Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment also attended the summit and participated in a panel discussion in which he observed that the Global South is turbocharging the global economy, driven by demographics and economic growth.
John Lee, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, welcomed the FII Institute to Hong Kong in the presence of Paul Chan, Financial Secretary, and Laura M Cha, Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX). John Lee delivered a special address to delegates in which he highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a ‘super value adder’ for economies, cultures, and peoples from east and west, made possible by the unique ‘one country, two systems’ principle.
The summit, held in partnership with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), is taking place at HKEX Connect Hall today, Thursday 7 December and tomorrow, Friday 8 December 2023.
Nicolas Aguzin, CEO, HKEX noted the dramatic changes to the geopolitical landscape, with power shifting eastwards, and the rising importance of local exchanges and imperative for continuous innovation in financial markets.
During the set piece ‘board of changemakers’ panel, Richard Li, Chairman, Pacific Century Group observed how digitalisation is democratizing financial services, enabling even those with incomes of all levels to access tailored financial products.
A traditional gong striking ceremony signaled the historic moment the markets opened in the presence of HKEX Chairman, Laura M. Cha, Hong Kong Chief Executive, John Lee, and Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan alongside FII Institute’s Chairman HE Yasir Al-Rumayyan and CEO Richard Attias, witnessed by over 1,000 summit attendees and audiences the world over.
The summit, held under the theme ‘Megatrends Shaping Humanity’ is addressing the implications of the rise of Asia as a technological, economic and geopolitical power; advances of AI, and the profound changes to life as we know it; as well as increasing calls for humanity and empathy as anchors to economy and society in a fractured and uncertain world.
Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt & Road, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region described Hong Kong as a “true global hub” and outlined his vision to strengthen Hong Kong as the regional headquarter for MENA region business.
Laura M. Cha pointed out that of the top 15 sovereign wealth funds, five are in Asia and six in the Middle East. China has untapped capital in terms of personal saving of 30 trillion USD and the Middle East has similar potential because of the rise of Saudi and other GCC countries. “It’s going to be an amazing connection that has been underdeveloped in the past; now it is the time for two-way traffic in terms of capital and commerce.” she said.
The FII Institute carries out ongoing research to identify the issues that matters to citizens worldwide. This year’s polling sampled 50,000 people from 23 countries to identify humanity’s priorities. The findings are then used to shape FII’s policy agenda and programme of summits. For example, this year’s research has revealed a dramatic global drop of 20% in satisfaction levels, and discontent across a range of issues, including cost of living, loneliness, technology, and climate concerns.
On the rise and regulation of AI Eric Pulier, Founder & CEO, Vatom Corporation describe how AI models must be trained using locally relevant datasets that preserve local heritage if the AI future is to be universally human-centric.
Solina Chau, Co-founder, Horizons Ventures discussed the importance of curious minds and counterfactual thinking to avoid biases and bad policies in an ever-changing world. She also addressed the low number of women in finance and the need to continue to strive for equality and support each other.
The FII institute showcased two Hong Kong-based grassroots initiatives focused on sustainability and local ecosystem. Redress is an environmental organization aiming to accelerate the change to a circular fashion industry. Farm the City builds and manages urban farms to transform underutilized areas to create sources of nutritious and organic food.
The FII PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong continues conversations held in Riyadh last month. It is part of an ongoing global programme of summits, to be held next in Miami (February), London (April), and Brazil (June).
Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative Institute said:
“Megatrends are reshaping our existence. The advancements in AI, automation, and blockchain are opening doors to futures we have yet to imagine. With the world changing and Asia in the driving seat we are discussing the global issues that matter to the 8 billion people who live on this planet, and focusing investor attention for policy action.”
ENDS
For media inquiries, please contact:
Phone: +966 53 978 2030
Email: Media@fii-institute.org
About FII Institute
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is a global non-profit foundation driven by data with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global and inclusive, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
FII PRIORITY Hong Kong Summit, held in partnership with the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and HKEX, will convene business and finance leaders from around the world
28 November 2023
Riyadh—HE Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, will introduce the inaugural Asia FII PRIORITY Summit in Hong Kong next week.
Welcoming the FII Institute to Hong Kong will be John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Paul Chan, Financial Secretary; Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury; and Laura Cha, Chairman of HKEX. John Lee will deliver a special address to delegates.
The FII Institute is a global data-driven non-profit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: to make a positive ‘impact on humanity’. The institute’s PRIORITY programme spans summits, initiatives and reports supported by its members and strategic partners, with the aim of tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.
HE Yasir Al-Rumayyan will be joined by HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, and HE Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment.
Kicking off the two-day global summit will be a ‘Board of Changemakers’, the set piece of the event at HKEX Connect Hall starting on December 7th. HKEX Chairman Laura Cha, Hang Lung Capital’s founder Ronnie Chan, Chairman of Schneider Electric Jean-Pascale Tricoire, Founder and Chairman of ACWA Power Mohammad A Abunayyan, President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Tony Chan, Richard Li Chairman of Pacific Century Group, and Kevin Sneader, President, Asia Pacific, Goldman Sachs will discuss global economic and strategic issues during the board’s 45-minute session.
Other speakers at the summit will include Hopu Capital’s chairman Fang Fenglei, GGV Capital Asia Managing Partner Jixun Foo, and co-chairman and co-chief investment officer of Hong Kong-listed Value Partners Group Cheah Cheng Hye, Lawrence Moloney, Lead AI Advocate, Google, Patrick Motseppe, Executive Chairman, Africa Rainbow Minerals, and Joshua Fink, founder Luma Group.
Over 1,000 business and finance leaders are expected to attend the summit.
Richard Attias, chief executive of the FII Institute: “Hong Kong has a hugely important role as a global business hub and a place for investors to connect. With our partners, the Hong Kong Government Special Administrative Region and HKEX, we are honoured to bring our inaugural Asia summit and movement to this great city. Our purpose at FII Institute is to tackle some of humanity’s biggest challenges, such as economic growth, prosperity, and financing the energy transition by convening leaders for top-level constructive dialogue. Our deliberations over the 7th and 8th of December will be focused sharply on important global issues, and we look forward to working with our friends and colleagues from across Asia for a better future for all.”
The summit will continue conversations at FII7 in Riyadh this past October under the theme ‘The New Compass’, seeking workable solutions to unlocking ESG flows to the Global South, driving global alignment on AI regulation, and investment for more equitable access to education and healthcare.
Other topics to be discussed at the FII PRIORITY Summit in Hong Kong include how innovators can act to resolve citizen concerns at a global level, the role of the Global South in driving economic growth, the new Asia, the ‘hyper-tech century’, AI and Web4 improving life for all, where next for BRICS, human-centred macro-finance, Asia supply chains, COP28 and climate tech.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Phone: +966 53 978 2030
Email: Media@fii-institute.org
About FII Institute
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is a global non-profit foundation driven by data with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global and inclusive, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute releases “Inclusive ESG Tool” and accompanying “Inclusive ESG Score” to help emerging market companies and global investors unlock investments.
- Despite a global surge in sustainable investments over recent years, emerging markets receive less than 10 percent of ESG capital flows worldwide.
- After the success of the Inclusive ESG Framework developed by FII Institute in 2022, this year, FII Institute has partnered with ESG Book to create an online tool and score for investors to analyze ESG performance and make better investment decisions.
- Addressing data gaps in emerging market analysis, the Inclusive ESG Score identifies companies that prioritize ESG factors while fostering long-term sustainable growth.
- The Inclusive ESG Score drives the Inclusive ESG Ranking, which identifies the 250 most sustainable emerging markets companies, launched at the 7th edition of FII Institute’s flagship conference in Riyadh, FII.
- The new tool has the potential to help reduce the USD $5.4 trillion ESG investment gap in emerging markets.
26 October, 2023 – Riyadh and London – The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a global non-profit foundation dedicated to tackling global challenges, has unveiled its Inclusive ESG Tool and Score at the annual FII flagship conference to improve the quality of data on ESG in emerging markets and empower companies in these markets to receive financial flows. The initiative has been developed in partnership with ESG Book, a global leader in sustainability data and technology.
The FII Institute’s Inclusive ESG Tool has been developed to empower companies in these markets improve sustainability efforts and results while helping investors identify current and future performance leaders.
While there has been a surge in ESG investing over the past decade, with an estimated USD $38 trillion in sustainability-led assets now under management worldwide, emerging markets continue to receive less than 10 percent of ESG capital flows, despite accounting for 58 percent of global GDP. The new Inclusive ESG Tool has the potential to help reduce an ESG investment gap of USD $5.4 trillion in emerging markets1.
Interviews conducted by FII Institute with leading global investors have revealed that ESG rating agencies are one of the main barriers to increasing investment in emerging markets, with a core challenge being that many rating agencies use KPIs that are not relevant to emerging markets.
In 2022, the Inclusive ESG Framework and Scoring Methodology developed by FII Institute met this need by answering the key question for investors: “What does good ESG performance look like in emerging markets?”
This year, with the unveiling of the Inclusive ESG Tool and Score, FII Institute recognized the need for metrics that are tailored specifically to the challenges of emerging markets. Its systematic materiality approach emphasizes industry risk, ensuring an equitable evaluation of companies operating within diverse sectors. To promote transparency and accuracy, the score differentiates performance and disclosure analytics.
The primary analytic of the toolkit is the Inclusive ESG Momentum Score, which integrates current performance and ongoing change in companies’ sustainability performance. It acknowledges corporate commitment in driving positive change by indicating future ESG performance. Combined with a company’s current ESG Performance Score and Disclosure Score, it provides a comprehensive and nuanced picture of corporate sustainability performance.
Based on the new score, FII Institute and ESG Book have co-developed a Top 250 Inclusive ESG Ranking to identify the most sustainable emerging markets companies. The ranking has launched alongside the new tool at FII Institute’s flagship conference in Riyadh, FII7, which takes place from 24 – 26 October 2023.
Richard Attias, CEO, FII Institute, said: “Our planet faces immense challenges, including global warming, a rapid decline in biodiversity, and an increasingly unbearable cost of living for many. However, we are not without the means to address these issues. Our global financial markets are more interconnected and driven by change than ever before. Investing in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives plays a pivotal role in the solution. These funds should be strategically directed toward emerging markets where their impact is most needed, all while ensuring the returns necessary for the vitality of these markets.”
Dr Daniel Klier, CEO, ESG Book, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with FII Institute to usher in a new approach to ESG data in emerging markets. The Inclusive ESG Score is a next generation tool for investors that identifies the sustainability leaders of today and tomorrow, with a transparent, data-driven approach that is tailored to emerging markets. Through this partnership, we look forward to providing a solution that enhances investment decision-making, and in turn helps to drive greater ESG investment flows to emerging market companies.”
References
- In 2021, 3.4% of global ESG-based assets under management (AUM) were held in emerging markets, while 20.2% of total global AUM were held in emerging markets. This equates to a gap of USD $5.4 trillion. ESG Book, 2023.
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Notes to Editors
For more information and for all media requests, please contact
Phone: +966 53 978 2030
Email: Media@fii-institute.org
About FII Institute
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is a global non-profit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global, inclusive and driven by data, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions and actions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability. Learn more: https://fii-institute.org/
About ESG Book
ESG Book is a global leader in sustainability data and technology, with a mission to transform finance through sustainability by making ESG data accessible, comparable, and transparent. ESG Book is the only provider in the world to combine a highly competitive, global sustainability dataset reported by corporates together with a disclosure platform. ESG Book’s solutions are used by many of the world’s largest financial organisations including Bloomberg, BNY Mellon, Citi, Dow Jones, JP Morgan, HSBC, and Glass Lewis. For more information, visit esgbook.com