RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 26 October 2021: The 5th Anniversary Future Investment Initiative (FII) kicked off in Riyadh on Tuesday, with world leaders, global CEOs, investors, and policymakers discussing how best to invest in humanity over the course of the October 26-28 conference in the Saudi capital.
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a global non-profit foundation with one agenda: Impact on Humanity, is hosting the 5th Anniversary of FII at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center (KAICC). It is taking place under the theme “Invest in Humanity”.
Discussions on the first day revolved around the investments that will create the greatest benefits for humanity, as multiple sectors witness a renaissance in the post-COVID era. Bringing together world leaders, experts, innovators, and media, the three-day conference will include interactive summits on Investing in Education; Investing in the Metaverse; and Investing in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
World Leaders attending FII include His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President, Nigeria; His Excellency Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister, Canada; Her Excellency Kersti Kaljulaid, former President, Estonia; His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba, President, Gabon; His Excellency Mario Renzi, former Prime Minister, Italy and FII Institute Board of Trustees member; His Excellency Armen Sarkissian, President, Armenia; and HE Stephen Harper, Former Prime Minister, Canada.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia; and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, attended a special session on Tuesday to listen to a live interview with His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of Greece.
The key sessions on opening day included global perspectives on the future of tourism, the new social contract and the evolving roles of government; data futurism, how will Artificial Intelligence power the metaverse, gaming and e-sports. Sessions also debated strategies for addressing global supply chain disruptions, convolution of the digital economy and space economy, and metaverse infrastructure for citizens of the digital worlds. A key session discussed the new age of investment for growth, profit and impact.
The 5th Anniversary edition opened with a live board meeting featuring leading global CEOs, investors, and policymakers discussing how best to invest in humanity. FII discussions will revolve around the investments that will create the greatest benefits for humanity, as multiple sectors witness a renaissance in the post-COVID era. The platform brings together world leaders, experts, innovators, and media in a global forum to explore pioneering solutions addressing society’s challenges and propel action towards their realization. The three-day conference will include interactive summits on Investing in Education; Investing in the Metaverse; and Investing in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
First day announcements included the launch of the National Infrastructure Fund.
The National Development Fund will be appointing BlackRock as its chosen strategic partner to advise on establishment and the operation of the National Infrastructure Fund. NIF will facilitate increased levels of private sector investments by building on the Kingdom’s strong Public Private Partnership track record and providing a range of financial solutions to de-risk projects and enhance their structures to attract more private capital.
INAURGURAL FII INSTITUTE FOR HUMANITY AWARD: Gloria Gaynor and Graça Machel
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute for Humanity Award was launched on Tuesday at the 5th Anniversary of FII. Dame Graça Machel, one of the world’s foremost advocates for women’s and children’s rights, and American singer Gloria Gaynor, were named as the first co-recipients of the Institute’s inaugural Award.
The annual award will be given each year to two individuals in recognition of their distinguished careers and lifelong track record of commitment to serving humanity, said the FII Institute. The new award reflects the FII Institute’s own ‘Impact on Humanity’ agenda and how to make a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity.
The award’s first recipient opened FII in spectacular style with global singing icon Gaynor singing her classic song “I Will Survive”. Richard Attias, CEO of FII, presented the FII Institute’s inaugural humanity award to her and later to Machel in recognition of their distinguished careers and lifelong track record of commitment to serving humanity.
Attias said the award recognizes outstanding individuals who have made a positive impact on humanity. “We want to celebrate their lifelong contributions and efforts in areas such as promoting women’s and children’s rights, education, development, as well as art and culture. The FII Institute for Humanity Award is setting new standards for serving people around the world.”
Machel, humanitarian and women’s and children’s rights advocate and Chair, The Graça Machel Trust; spoke about the challenges of our times and the importance of investing in humanity, in a conversation moderated by HRH Princess Reema Al Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States. The session focused on how the global investment community can work together to launch a new era of investment in human progress, as leaders navigate the global economy through unprecedented transformations, amid increasing opportunities as well as risks.
During the conversation Machel said: “I encourage captains of industry here today, as you innovate our financial systems and explore new frontiers of space and technology, see the human face of the lives you will impact, and keep the welfare in mind as your North Star. Focus your efforts beyond the traditional markets. Include the most marginalized in your business models. Enable your employees and customers to enjoy the dignity of choice.”
LIVELY DEBATE
CNN anchor Richard Quest hosted a live Board meeting on “Investing for Impact” with HE Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak CEO and Managing Director at Mubadala; Ana Patricia Botin, Group Executive Chairman of Banco Santander, Ray Dalio Founder and Co-Chairman Bridgewater Associates, Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO BlackRock, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, African Rainbow Capital, Stephan Schwartzman, Chairman and CEO of Blackstone Group, and David Solomon, Chairman and CEO Goldman Sachs Group.
In a lively debate, board members talked about the vital importance for a collective will to contribute to the climate challenge as no country can achieve this on its own and governments, private sector, and civil society have to combine to do more. They also outlined how important investment is in small businesses around the world to build the stronger economy of the future
“When we bring the private sector and public sector together, we can solve many problems, but often we see the public sector trying to do it all. At this moment capital is abundant and it needs to be put to work but to use this capital in a wise and responsible way,” Larry Fink said.
Other Day One highlights:
- Global Perspectives on Tourism was a session that had CNN Anchor Richard Quest in conversation with HE Ahmed Al Khateeb, KSA Minister of Tourism and Arnold W Donald, CEO Carnival Corporation and Chair World Travel and Tourism. The discussion focused on the need for global solutions and collaborative partnerships to rebuild the economic sector the most badly impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic.
- Arnold W Donald said some of the key factors to building a stronger tourism sector in the future there is a need for frictionless travel, greater access to vaccinations and vaccine equity with the introduction of tools to make travel easier such as digital passports. The KSA Minister of Tourism added, “This pandemic will be behind us sooner or later. We need to be ready for strong growth and in Saudi Arabia we are playing an important role to introduce new initiatives in training and sustainability while bringing the world together to talk about issues impacting our industry.”
- In a conversation session later in the day, HE Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece, said: “I am very excited to be here at FII and would like to thank his Royal Highness for his hospitality and the very interesting discussions that we have had. When I was elected one of my main priorities was to restore strong ties with the Gulf region and I am sure this is just the beginning of forging a very strong strategic partnership between our two countries.” Mitsotakis added: “There are many natural synergies in the hospitality and tourism sector between Saudi Arabia and Greece and we can export our know-how to a country just scratching the surface of its tourism potential.”
In a discussion on the evolving role of business UK Investment Minister Lord Garry Grimstone argued that governments around the world do not have the resources to deal with climate change. He believes they need to leverage vast amounts of private-sector investment alongside to do that.
Giving a Mongolian perspective Boler-Erdene Bottsenge, Chairwoman of the Mongolian Telecommunication and Information Technology Authority, said: “We implemented the e-mongolia platform that can be accessed even by a goat herder in the middle of nowhere in Mongolia. The platform offers 545 services. The amazing thing about is that these services can be delivered to everyone, everywhere in Mongolia. This has helped to reduce corruption by 25%.”
Later in a special address to FII Nigerian President HE Muhammadu Buhari explained how his government was committed to continuing to build resilience and achieve recovery. He outlined its commitment to investing in humanity is driven by stronger public private sector partnerships through investing in health, education, gender equality and multiple other areas for economic growth.
On the issue of global supply chain disruptions, Hon. Don Graves, US Deputy Secretary of Commerce, said: “Predictability, consistency and transparency – that’s really the way we can make sure our supply chains continue to be strengthened. We have to invest in supply chains at home, but also invest in partnerships around the world.”
ENDS
About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Committed to ESG principles, we foster the brightest minds and transform ideas into real- world solutions in five focus areas: AI and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
We are in the right place at the right time – when decision makers, investors and an engaged generation of youth come together in aspiration, energized and ready for change. We harness that energy into three pillars – THINK, XCHANGE, ACT – and invest in the innovations that make a difference globally.
Join us to own, co-create and actualize a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 5 May 2022: The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is hosting a summit, ESG in Emerging Markets, at Rosewood London, England on May 20, 2022, from 9:00 – 16:00. The summit will bring together international investors, world leaders, thought leaders, policy makers, global CEOs, and heads of sustainability to discuss and shape the future of ESG, particularly in emerging markets.
At the event, FII Institute will anchor two major themes: The Future of ESG and The Future of Sustainability, with more than 40 international leaders and experts slated to speak including:
• H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan (Governor of Saudi Arabia PIF, Chairman of FII Institute, Chairman of Saudi Aramco)
• H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad (Minister of Environment of Egypt)
• Larry Fink (CEO of Blackrock)
• Senator Matteo Renzi (Former Prime Minister of Italy)
• Noel Quinn (Global CEO of HSBC Holding).
• Vincent Keaveny (Lord Mayor of the City of London)
Furthermore, FII Institute will unveil a proprietary new inclusive ESG framework and scoring methodology, developed for informing and accelerating ESG investments in emerging economies.
According to FII Institute CEO, Richard Attias, “The planet has huge problems with climate, with destruction of nature and with peace and security. But we also have enormous resources, including our shared humanity. We believe ESG is a critical tool for bringing us together and directing capital to meet these challenges. At the Institute our work is inspired by a new generation of leaders, many of whom are women, many even under the age of 40. These leaders will be in attendance at this event, and they are the motivators and drivers of the change we need.”
While the use of ESG standards to make investment decisions is on the upswing globally, with assets projected to reach USD $53 trillion, about a third of global AUM, by 2025, the lack of a framework for effectively implementing ESG in emerging economies is a stumbling block for investors. With FII Institute ´s proprietary measurement framework, developed in conjunction with investors, global corporations and FII Institute ´s strategic partners we will finally have the tool required for developing sustainable investment strategies in these markets.
The event, which fulfills the institute’s XCHANGE pillar, is in line with its focus area of Sustainability. The Institute has a mandate to have an impact on humanity across four areas of focus: AI & Robotics, Education, Healthcare, and Sustainability.
The event is one part of a series of events the Institute is hosting, which will culminate in the 6th edition of the annual FII Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October.
ENDS
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 12 October 2021: The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is proud to announce 16 partnerships with some of the world’s largest companies and entities ahead of the 5th Anniversary of FII on October 26-28, 2021, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As a global nonprofit foundation, the partners will support the work of the FII Institute to make an impact in five areas: AI, Robotics, Education, Healthcare, and Sustainability.The 5th Anniversary FII will take place under the theme “Invest in Humanity”. Discussions will revolve around the investments that will create the greatest benefits for humanity, as multiple sectors witness a renaissance in the post-COVID era. The platform brings together world leaders, experts, innovators, and media in a global forum to explore pioneering solutions addressing society’s challenges and propel action towards their realization. The three-day conference will include interactive summits on Investing in Education; Investing in the Metaverse; and Investing in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).FII Institute CEO Richard Attias said, “We are delighted to welcome all of our partners to FII Institute. Each partner brings unique expertise, strategies and thought leadership, crucial to supporting our mission to positively impact on humanity.”
“At FII we believe in inclusivity as the prerequisite for effective cross-border collaboration to help resolve some of the most pressing issues faced by humanity. Our partners are leading companies and organizations from both the public and private sectors and have all expressed their eagerness to join hands with us to address the challenges and to help serve humanity.”
Founding Partner
Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia (PIF)
Vision Partner
Ministry of Investment, Saudi Arabia (MISA)
Strategic Partners
BNY Mellon, a global investments company
HSBC, one of the largest banking and financial services organizations
Ma’aden, the largest mining company in Saudi Arabia
NEOM, a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built from the ground up as a living laboratory — a place where entrepreneurship will chart the course for this New Future Reliance Industries, a multinational conglomerate company
Royal Commission for AlUla, the commission working to preserve and develop the 2,000-year-old archaeological AlUla site in northwest Saudi Arabia
SABIC, a global leader in chemicals Saudi Aramco, a public petroleum and natural gas company, and one of the largest companies in the world by revenue
Saudi National Bank (SNB), one of the Kingdom’s biggest banks SoftBank Vision Fund, one of the world’s largest technology-focused investment funds
Saudi Telecom Company (STC), the Saudi-based leading telecom and technology services provider
The Red Sea Development Company, the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project, The Red Sea Project (TRSP) Summit Partners
Ministry of Tourism, Saudi Arabia
Sanabil Investments, a financial investment company specialized in global private investments ENDS
About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global non-profit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Committed to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, we foster the brightest minds and transform ideas into real-world solutions in five focus areas: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
We are in the right place at the right time – when decision makers, investors and an engaged generation of youth come together in aspiration, energized and ready for change. We harness that energy into three pillars – THINK, XCHANGE, ACT – and invest in the innovations that make a difference to lives globally.
Fii-institute.org
• The 5th anniversary of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) closed on Thursday, October 28 with a focus on the next generation of leaders and change makers.
• FII Institute CEO Richard Attias told young members of the Board of the Future session: “It’s important to give you a voice; you’re not the next generation, you’re the current generation.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 28 October 2021: The 5th anniversary of the Future Investment Initiative closed with a session dedicated to building the next generation of leaders.
Led by FII Institute CEO Richard Attias, the Board of the Future explored both the opportunities and the challenges the next generation are facing – and will face – including social media, fake news and further growth in technology and innovation. Mr. Attias said it was important that events like FII stay relevant for the next generation and that they work to build the board members of the future.
“It’s important to understand you,” he told the panelists, “Because for the past two and a half days, many Old Guard people like me were talking on stage and trying to explain what the world should be and what we should do. But it’s important to give you a voice; you’re not the next generation, you’re the current generation.”
The closing session brought together rising leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the next generation and what they need from the global investment community to succeed. Reem Bin Saddik, Founder and CEO Bin Saddik Consultancy, spoke about the importance of giving young people a voice, and Marlene Ngoyi, Board Member of Afrexim Bank PAPPS, added that diversity was key.
“When you have 20 men who decide on the future of the world that is frankly unacceptable and almost offensive for some of us. We need a more diverse group of people around the table to make a win-win for everyone,” Ms. Ngoyi argued.
Oliver Ripley, CEO and Co-Founder of Habitas, and Saudi journalist Lama Alhamawi, spoke about being global citizens and connecting via social media.
“What I am seeing today is a generation growing up who are not defined either by their nationality or their jobs but by a common set of values about how they want to live their lives. That is the change that is happening.” Mr. Ripley said.
Ms. Alhamawi meanwhile urged the FII community to “listen to the voices around the world and ask them what they need. If everyone just takes that step and does their part, the global change is incredible that could happen.”
The session closed with an energetic song by American artist AY Young, Founder of the Battery Tour, powered by 100% renewable energy, that urged the crowd and virtual viewers to unite to change the world.
For more information visit www.fii-institute.org. You can also watch the full program on the FII Institute YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x97BKR7KAlk.
ENDS
About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Committed to ESG principles, we foster the brightest minds and transform ideas into real- world solutions in five focus areas: AI and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
We are in the right place at the right time – when decision makers, investors and an engaged generation of youth come together in aspiration, energized and ready for change. We harness that energy into three pillars – THINK, XCHANGE, ACT – and invest in the innovations that make a difference globally.
Join us to own, co-create and actualize a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity.
5th Anniversary FII
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a global non-profit foundation with one agenda: Impact on Humanity, hosted the 5th Anniversary of FII from October 26 to 28 under the theme “Invest in Humanity.” Bringing together world leaders, experts, innovators, and media, the three-day platform included interactive summits on Investing in Education; Investing in the Metaverse; and Investing in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 27 October 2021: The second day of the 5th Anniversary Future Investment Initiative (FII), which kicked off in Riyadh on Tuesday with world leaders, global CEOs, investors, and policymakers in attendance, saw another day of lively debate and discussions including the impact of climate change, investing in green initiatives, ESG and sustainable food security and their influence on humanity.
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a global non-profit foundation with one agenda: Impact on Humanity, is hosting the 5th Anniversary of FII under the theme “Invest in Humanity”. Bringing together world leaders, experts, innovators, and media, the three-day conference will include interactive summits on Investing in Education; Investing in the Metaverse; and Investing in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
Day two discussions placed ESG, the impact of climate change, investing in green initiatives, and sustainable food security high on the agenda. Business and leisure travel for a sustainable world, looking to sustainable tourism, regenerative tourism, and redesigning tourism also discussed.
INVESTING IN THE CIRCULAR CARBON ECONOMY ‘Science in Action’ sessions debated investing in the circular carbon economy and explored how the investment community, business, and government work together to achieve progress towards the G20 recommendations of last year. In 2020, under Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the G20, the world’s largest economies endorsed the concept of circular carbon economy — an integrated and inclusive approach to transitioning toward more comprehensive, resilient, sustainable, and climate friendly energy systems that support and enable sustainable development.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy, KSA, encouraged leaders to recognize energy strategies that will drive improved health on a global scale. He said: “There are three pillars any energy leader recognizes – energy security, economic prosperity & wellbeing of people and climate change.”
Matthew Harris, Founding Partner, Global Infrastructure Partners, said collective efforts between governments, corporates and private capital to transition into a new age of energy. “But what in existing businesses today can be repurposed? There is infrastructure that can enable the circular carbon economy. Pipelines that carry oil and gas today – there is no reason why they can’t carry hydrogen in the future.”
Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, Lanzatech, noted: “We think about recycling carbon itself and we imagine a future where we can refine CO2 to make the products we need in our daily lives. For example, we have already fueled a flight from Orlando to Gatwick with sustainable aviation fuel made from recycled carbon ethanol.”
William Winters, Group CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, added: “All of these transitions cost money. But when we look at developing countries – accounting for major contributions to global emissions – we see a disconnect between the funding that exists and the ability to get that into the hands of people who can drive the projects.”
‘TOURISM IS TOO BIG TO FAIL’
Sustainable tourism development to help the sector recover from the devastating pandemic was front and center in many discussion areas and debates throughout the day.
Talking about regenerative tourism, John Pagano, Group CEO Red Sea Development Company and Amaala, said: “We serve nature best by not just protecting it but by enhancing it. That’s what I mean when I talk about regenerative tourism. Regeneration goes further than sustainability. It’s leaving the place better than when we arrived. It’s what I’m passionate about and I believe we’re leading the way.”
HH Princess Haifa Al Saud, Assistant Minister for Executive Affairs & Strategy, Ministry of Tourism, KSA, said there was a need to redefine the principles that govern tourism and create a roadmap that creates new opportunities for job creation, investment and innovation. “As a sector tourism is too big to fail but we need to focus on the environmental, social and economic sustainability of tourism as it lacks resilience,” she said.
Julia Simpson, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council, said now is the moment to leapfrog several generations of innovation and technology to embrace a new era of truly contactless, frictionless travel.
Talking about ‘Business and Leisure Travel for A Sustainable World’, Eng. Ahmad Arab, Deputy Minister for Strategy and Business Intelligence, Ministry of Tourism, KSA, said sustainability and training are two of the fundamentals of our tourism development strategy. “We are committed to simultaneously safeguarding our natural resources and investing in our people for a sustainable future on every level,” he said. “It is why we have already trained 127,000 people across 14 sectors in the hospitality sector.”
ESG IN SPOTLIGHT
ESG was in very much focus with many sessions addressing various facets of Environmental, Social, and Governance principles and models. The ‘G’ in ESG session on how better governance can create more sustainable business delved into questions such as whether the lessons from large corporations promoting the “G” in ESG, can be leveraged to develop better management among early stage companies, entrepreneurs, founders, and small business owners, and eventually lead to sustainability and growth.
HH Princess Nouf bint Muhammed Al Saud, Chair of C20 and CEO King Khalid Foundation, said: “We cannot leave governance to the benevolence of shareholders, it has to be a top-down, bottom-up approach. NGOs need to be involved.”
Rania Nashar, Head of Compliance and Governance, Public Investment Fund (PIF), said Saudi Arabia has the ambitious goal to ensure the contribution by SMEs to the economy grows to 35 percent from 20 percent. “SMEs are a major contributor to the economy and to job creation and it is important to embrace them.”
Meanwhile, Stephen Harper, Former Prime Minister, Canada, noted: “In my business we hear ESG all the time. But if you want to be effective at the “S” and the “E” you have to have the “G”, the governance that structures that. Everything flows downstream from governance.”
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT
Delegates also listened to wide-ranging conversations on climate change and its impact.
Akim Daouda, CEO, Fonds Gabonais d’Investissements Stratégiques argued that: “A lot of promises were made on climate change so far, but too little has been delivered. Massive capital is needed to achieve this and while the intent is there, but there remains is a trust issue in delivering real change. To succeed there must be strong collaboration across global institutions.”
Noel Quinn, GCE, HSBC Holdings, noted: “If we have to overcome a public trust deficit, we have to bring definition to the statement of transitioning to net zero and deliver against that definition. We have to go beyond just a high-level phrase.”
Talking in a session about the impact of climate change on communities, Walid Al Saqqaf, CEO & Cofounder, Rebalance Earth, said we live in an interconnected world, a world where we cannot operate anymore in silos. “A rich and thriving biodiversity can help to significantly capture carbon and is one of our best weapons to combat climate change,” he added.
‘WEALTH OF NATIONS’
In this session, that touched on new legal policies to supercharge FDI, The Hon. Dan Tehan, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment, Australia, said: “We are working to secure a strong and sustainable economic recovery, powered by the private sector and FDI. Getting investment flowing is one of the most powerful things we can do to secure our recovery.”
HE Khalid Al Mudaifer, Vice Minister, Mining Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, KSA, said that since Saudi Vision 2030 was approved, the Kingdom has made more than 400 changes and updates to its legal framework. “This has helped Q1 2021 record FDI of over $14 billion. It shows we’re on the right track and we are delivering on the transformation,” he added.
FOOD SECURITY
Dr. Mustapha El Bouhssini, Professor of Entomology and Program Lead, Biodiversity and Plant Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, said: “When we look at innovations to help make food more sustainable it is clear that looking into alternative crops can hold the key for global food security.”
Dr. Ahmed Amri, Honorary Head of Genetic Resources Unit, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, said: “It has become clear from our research how crop diversification can both protect public health and enhance the quality of the land while ensuring the sustainability of our resources.” But Gregory Lu, CEO, Natufia, said: “The current global business models that are in place limit the ability we have to enhance quality and diversity of seeds, thus removing rich tasting and healthy products off our tables.”
ENDS
About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Committed to ESG principles, we foster the brightest minds and transform ideas into real- world solutions in five focus areas: AI and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
We are in the right place at the right time – when decision makers, investors and an engaged generation of youth come together in aspiration, energized and ready for change. We harness that energy into three pillars – THINK, XCHANGE, ACT – and invest in the innovations that make a difference globally.
Join us to own, co-create and actualize a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity.
• The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute has partnered with world-class universities UM6P, HEC-Paris and leading science journal Nature
• Projects will look at ways to achieve zero net carbon goals to harnessing the power of AI and new research into the concepts behind the circular economy.
• The FII Institute is also supporting clean energy research at Precourt Institute for Energy – Stanford
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 27 October 2021: The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a global non-profit foundation with one agenda: Impact on Humanity, has today announced projects with world-class universities and the world’s leading multidisciplinary science journal to make an impact on humanity.
The FII Institute has partnered with world-class universities Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, HEC-Paris and leading science journal Nature It has also pledged significant support to clean energy research being undertaken at Stanford’s Precourt Institute for Energy.
The announcements came during the second day of the FII 5th Anniversary taking place in the Riyadh this week. As a global nonprofit foundation, these relationships will support the work of the FII Institute to make an impact in five areas: AI, Robotics, Education, Healthcare, and Sustainability.
FII Institute CEO Richard Attias said the institute is delighted to welcome the latest group of academics to the THINK pillar.
“These leading global institutions will help support the role of the FII Institute as a player within international thought leadership in support of our one agenda goal: Impact on Humanity. These relationships underscore the fact that these globally recognized organizations see the value of the FII Institute and believe in our mission to have a positive impact on humanity.”
“The academic quality of these institutions reinforces the FII Institute’s mandate to be a truly global catalyst for change. We are proud to have secured such high-profile educational agreements that will cover a hugely diverse range of research from ways to achieve zero net carbon goals to harnessing the power of AI and new research into the concepts behind the circular economy.”
Discussions, debates and presentations at the current FII revolve around investments that will create the greatest benefits for humanity, as multiple sectors witness a renaissance in the post- COVID era. The platform brings together world leaders, experts, innovators, and media in a global forum to explore pioneering solutions addressing society’s challenges and propel action towards their realization.
President of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Hicham El Habti said he is “looking forward to seeing UM6P and FII continuing to join efforts towards making an impact through daring, experimenting and disrupting. I am confident that this collaboration will allow us to achieve the mutual goals of being impact generators through innovative research, capability building, education and investing in and for the future.”
Dean of HEC-Paris in Qatar, Pablo Martin de Holan said “We are delighted to work with FII to advance understanding of how to reconcile business models with the circular economy. HEC Paris is committed to creating actionable knowledge that will contribute to the solution of the global challenges of our time and help train the women and men who will lead the massive transformations that are required for a better, more sustainable, and more just world for us and future.”
Director of Stanford’s Precourt Institute for Energy and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Yi Cui, said he was grateful for the generous support from the FII Institute and the contribution to the clean energy research at Stanford.
Chief Publishing and Solutions Officer of Springer Nature, Steven Inchoombe, said: “through this partnership we aim to provide the research community and key decision makers with information they can use to accelerate solutions to key societal challenges.”
ENDS
About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Committed to ESG principles, we foster the brightest minds and transform ideas into real- world solutions in five focus areas: AI and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
We are in the right place at the right time – when decision makers, investors and an engaged generation of youth come together in aspiration, energized and ready for change. We harness that energy into three pillars – THINK, XCHANGE, ACT – and invest in the innovations that make a difference globally.
Join us to own, co-create and actualize a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity.
PROJECTS
• Stanford University, one of the world’s leading teaching and research institutions, based in Stanford, California. Recognizing that new breakthrough technologies are needed in many areas to enable the transformation of the world economy to net zero carbon by 2050, the goal of the FII Institute’s planned funding is to broadly explore novel ideas. There are two initial high impact areas to be examined – CO2 capture and building energy saving materials for clean and green living. However, the research scope will extend to other areas in the future.
• Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Moroccan non-profit private higher Education and Research institution that is impact and innovation driven, relies on multidisciplinary, experimental approaches in education and research to address local regional and Global challenges.
• HEC-Paris, leading business school in Europe. The school has been committed to developing and disseminating thought leadership around Climate & Sustainability issues for over 20 years. The partnership agreement calls for a long-term relationship where the FII Institute will create a research chair at HEC-Paris on the theme ‘Business Models for Circular Economy’.
• Nature, the world’s leading multidisciplinary science journal, which publishes the finest peer- reviewed research. A first of its kind unique collaboration with Nature where both entities will collaborate on creating thought leadership and driving the conversation for novel research. As a unique first partner of FII in the African continent, the aims of this master agreement are for FII to join efforts with UM6P as a knowledge partner in addressing a number of areas including but not limited to Food Security, Sustainability, Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence among many others.
• Current and former heads of state from Africa, Europe and North America attend the 5th Anniversary of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh this week.
• FII opened on Tuesday, October 26 with leading global CEOs, investors, and policymakers discussing how best to invest in humanity.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 26 October 2021: Current and former world leaders join the debates and discussions at the 5th Anniversary of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) this week in Riyadh. Showing the reach of the FII community across the world, current and former Heads of State from Africa, Europe and North America join discussions on sustainability, technology and innovation, and AI.
World Leaders attending FII include:
• His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President, Nigeria;
• His Excellency Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister, Canada;
• Her Excellency Kersti Kaljulaid, former President, Estonia;
• His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister, Greece;
• His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba, President, Gabon;
• His Excellency Mario Renzi, former Prime Minister, Italy and FII Institute Board of Trustees member;
• His Excellency Armen Sarkissian, President, Armenia
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) opened today with leading global CEOs,investors, and policymakers discussing how best to invest in humanity.
The 5th Anniversary FII is taking place under the theme “Invest in Humanity”. Discussions revolve around the investments that will create the greatest benefits for humanity, as multiple sectors witness a renaissance in the post-COVID era. The platform brings together world leaders, experts, innovators, and media in a global forum to explore pioneering solutions addressing society’s challenges and propel action towards their realization.
The full program is available at www.fii-institute.org. Registration to attend virtually is now open.
ENDS
About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Committed to ESG principles, we foster the brightest minds and transform ideas into real- world solutions in five focus areas: AI and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
We are in the right place at the right time – when decision makers, investors and an engaged generation of youth come together in aspiration, energized and ready for change. We harness that energy into three pillars – THINK, XCHANGE, ACT – and invest in the innovations that make a difference globally.
Join us to own, co-create and actualize a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity.
• The opening session of FII’s 5th Anniversary event was a live 90-minute ‘board meeting’ featuring high profile business leaders from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the United States
• FII attendees include Presidents, Prime Ministers, corporate executives, experts, innovators, and media who gather to explore solutions for society’s challenges and commit to their realization.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 26 October 2021: The 5th Anniversary of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) opened with a live board meeting featuring leading global CEOs, investors, and policymakers discussing how best to invest in humanity.
The opening session on day one of FII was entitled ‘The Board of Changemakers: Investing for Impact’. The meeting was moderated by CNN anchor Richard Quest, who was joined by high profile business leaders from Africa, Europe, and the United States including H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO & Managing Director, Mubadala Investment Company, Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO & Co- Founder, Blackstone, and Ray Dalio, Founder, Co-Chairman & Co-CIO, Bridgewater Associates, LP. They debated ways the global financial community can come together to invest in humanity.
FII Institute CEO Richard Attias said the live board meeting was an extra special event for FII. “It was a highly unique live board meeting. FII hosted this special live ‘meeting’ on practical and actionable ways to invest in humanity. This set the scene for three days of vibrant debate and decision-making designed to help transform the future of humanity.”
The board meeting included:
• H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO & Managing Director, Mubadala Investment Company (UAE) • Ana Patricia Botin, Group Executive Chairman, Banco Santander S.A. (Spain)
• Ray Dalio, Founder, Co-Chairman & Co-CIO, Bridgewater Associates, LP (United States)
• Larry Fink, Chairman & CEO, BlackRock, Inc. (United States)
• Dr. Patrice Motsepe, Founder, African Rainbow Capital (South Africa)
• Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO & Co-Founder, Blackstone (United States) • David M. Solomon, Chairman & CEO, The Goldman Sachs Group (United States)
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About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Committed to ESG principles, we foster the brightest minds and transform ideas into real- world solutions in five focus areas: AI and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
We are in the right place at the right time – when decision makers, investors and an engaged generation of youth come together in aspiration, energized and ready for change. We harness that energy into three pillars – THINK, XCHANGE, ACT – and invest in the innovations that make a difference globally.
Join us to own, co-create and actualize a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity.
• The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute for Humanity Award was launched today at the 5th Anniversary of FII
• International advocate for women’s and children’s rights, Dame Graça Machel, and award- wining singer and humanitarian Gloria Gaynor are the first two recipients of the inaugural award in recognition of their distinguished careers and exemplary commitment to progressing positive impacts on humanity.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 26 October 2021: The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute has awarded the inaugural FII Institute for Humanity award to Dame Graça Machel, international women’s and children’s rights advocate, and Gloria Gaynor, award-winning singer and humanitarian, today. The FII Institute welcomed both to the opening session of FII where Ms. Gaynor performed her hit “I Will Survive” and Ms. Machel gave the opening remarks and a live interview with HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia Ambassador to the United States on the importance of investing in humanity.
Dame Graça Machel is the former First Lady of Mozambique and South Africa; Chair, The Graça Machel Trust; humanitarian, and women and children’s rights advocate. Dame Machel is the co-founder and Deputy Chair of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders working together for peace, justice and human rights.
Ms. Gaynor works tirelessly for several charities, with a special emphasis on helping individuals triumph over illness and grief, as well as those who are piecing their lives together after bearing witness to a national tragedy. “I Will Survive,” has become an emotional anthem embraced by survivors and fans around the world.
The FII Institute for Humanity Award reflects the Institute’s ‘Impact on Humanity’ agenda and how to make a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity. The FII Institute is a global non-profit foundation with an investment arm that helps turn good ideas into actions, enabling the brightest minds and transforming ideas into real-world solutions across five focus areas: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Education, Healthcare, and Sustainability.
FII Institute CEO Richard Attias said the award recognizes outstanding individuals who have made a positive impact on humanity.
“We want to celebrate their lifelong contributions and efforts in areas such as promoting women’s and children’s’ rights, education, development, as well as art and culture. The FII Institute for Humanity Award is setting new standards for serving people around the world.”
The first recipients were announced during the 5th Anniversary FII that is taking place under the theme “Invest in Humanity”. Discussions and debates at the event are revolving around the investments that will create the greatest benefits for humanity, as multiple sectors witness a renaissance in the post- COVID era. The platform brings together world leaders, experts, innovators, and media in a global platform to explore pioneering solutions addressing society’s challenges to have a substantial impact on humanity.
About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Committed to ESG principles, we foster the brightest minds and transform ideas into real- world solutions in five focus areas: AI and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
We are in the right place at the right time – when decision makers, investors and an engaged generation of youth come together in aspiration, energized and ready for change. We harness that energy into three pillars – THINK, XCHANGE, ACT – and invest in the innovations that make a difference globally.
Join us to own, co-create and actualize a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 27 October 2021: The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute has announced a 1 million EUR investment in AZmed, developers of Artificial Intelligence-enabled diagnostic applications which can help address the shortage of radiologists around the world.
The investment, which is part of AZmed’s latest 3.5 million EUR round, builds on the Institute’s commitment to catalyze globally relevant, real-world solutions in five focus areas: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability. AZmed is a medical technology company that develops AI-enabled diagnostic applications for medical images.
AZmed CEO Julien Vidal said the company is addressing the recognised global shortage of radiologists. “Our goal is to be the trusted tech partner for every doctor analysing a medical image anywhere in the world,” he said. “We are excited to work with the FII Institute which will bring strategic value to AZmed through connections with healthcare and AI specialists in its network, as well as go-to-market partners in the United States and MENA region.”
The AZmed investment announcement comes during the 5 th Anniversary of FII, the Institute’s marquee platform taking place this week in Riyadh. The platform is centered around the theme “Invest in Humanity” and discussions that can create the greatest benefits for humanity especially in the post-COVID era.
FII Institute CEO Richard Attias welcomed the investment and said that AZmed fits the Institute’s mission to make an impact on healthcare, AI and education. “We are very excited to support a company that is focused on life-saving technologies. Improving products and services for radiologists is an important issue for this specialty and we need to relieve the pressure on healthcare systems around the world that are already stretched by limited resources.”
The company’s first product, Rayvolve, is a market leading, AI-powered Fracture and chest abnormalities detection tool that was the first in its field to receive CE-certification, ensuring the product is compliant with all applicable European health, safety, performance and environmental requirements.
This marks the fourth FII Institute investment announced with Interstellar Lab, a space technology company designing closed-loop biodomes for sustaining life on Earth, the moon, and Mars; Lilium, an electric-powered aircraft reducing the carbon impact of regional travel; and Red Sea Farms agtech making it possible to grow food using sun and saltwater in challenging desert climates.
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About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Committed to ESG principles, we foster the brightest minds and transform ideas into real- world solutions in five focus areas: AI and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.
We are in the right place at the right time – when decision makers, investors and an engaged generation of youth come together in aspiration, energized and ready for change. We harness that energy into three pillars – THINK, XCHANGE, ACT – and invest in the innovations that make a difference globally.
Join us to own, co-create and actualize a brighter, more sustainable future for humanity.
About AZmed
AZmed facilitates X-ray diagnostics thanks to artificial intelligence. It helps doctors save time and dedicate resources to life-threatening exams. AZmed has been the first French company to commercialize an AI-powered radiology software.
Deep learning technologies as developed by AZmed are fully integrated into doctors’ workflow, making it easy to use, without requiring any change in their work habits.
AZmed solutions are already used in more than 250 centers. More than 2500 doctors are using their solutions on a daily basis, in 12 different countries.