Tirana, Albania – May 2025 – The FII PRIORITY Europe Summit concluded today in Tirana with a compelling call for economic transformation across the continent. Gathering over 500 participants — including heads of state, global CEOs, and next-generation changemakers — the summit presented a bold roadmap for investment, innovation, and inclusive growth.
French President Emmanuel Macron declared the beginning of a “new phase of Europe’s journey,” urging deeper integration of the single market, streamlined regulation, and accelerated investment in green technology, artificial intelligence, and defense.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted Albania’s emergence as a dynamic investment destination and a bridge between East and West. “Albania is good friends with many. We are strategic partners of the EU and US, and close partners to Saud Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf countries,” he said, emphasizing openness and adaptability as national strengths.
His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), reaffirmed Europe’s central role in global investment strategy: “The PIF has deployed nearly $85 billion in Europe since 2024 — a figure expected to double to $170 billion by 2030. Predictability and regulatory clarity are key to long-term commitments.”
A standout session — Board of Changemakers — brought together Senator Matteo Renzi, Bernard Mensah, Mohamed Alabbar, Professor Adah AlMutairi and Henri Poupart-Lafarge to tackle the question: Can Capital Connect a Fractured World? The panel called for bold action on over-regulation, talent development, and the reinvention of education systems to better match future labor markets.
In a powerful conversation on the evolving nature of influence, Linda Rama , Prime Minister’s wife joined Cécilia Attias to explore the role of transparency and professionalism in leadership. “When you truly get close to the youth, you find a power in them we don’t possess,” Linda Rama reflected.
Penny Richards, CEO of the FII Institute, summarized the summit’s tone: “We heard a clear message — change is no longer optional. Europe is ready to redefine its global role with renewed energy and purpose.”
The summit closed with a forward-looking dialogue — Old Europe, Young Voices — chaired by Richard Attias, Chairman of the FII Institute’s Executive Committee. Featuring insights from the Institute’s latest Future of Work report, the session called for urgent reform in education and inclusion of youth voices in policy and investment. As angel investor Elsa Hyland stated: “Include us in the conversation — we know what’s happening on the ground.”
ENDS
