Riyadh: Riyadh is hosting the Global Infrastructure Forum and Exhibition on September 15-17, bringing together a distinguished group of experts and specialists alongside more than 300 exhibitors from 25 countries.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the event reflects the city's accelerating efforts to build an advanced urban system capable of meeting growing needs and keeping pace with major national ambitions. It also serves as a strategic platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing the latest technologies and solutions in water, energy, transportation, communications, and smart cities.
The forum provides opportunities to promote investment, expand international partnerships, and enhance Riyadh's readiness to host global events, most notably Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034. On its opening day, the forum witnessed the launch of the Major Projects and Events Support Office in the Riyadh region. The office aims to achieve the highest levels of coordination between megaprojects and service providers, ensuring smooth workflow, avoiding conflicts, enhancing quality of life, and increasing spending efficiency. The initiative represents a key pillar of sustainable urban development.
The event also saw the signing of five strategic partnerships between the Infrastructure Project Center and several national entities. The agreements focus on developing innovative, data-driven solutions, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies, and enhancing digital capabilities in project management.
The forum further gained momentum through specialized sessions that addressed vital issues such as sector alignment, innovative financing, and sustainable technologies. Participants emphasized that major projects cannot achieve their objectives without robust infrastructure capable of supporting future growth.
Figures highlight the scale of progress achieved, with coordination of more than 7,200 projects, participation of over 62,000 exhibitors, expansion of service networks to more than 800,000 kilometers, and the operation and renewal of 11.4 million smart meters. In addition, infrastructure project licenses increased significantly, rising from 71,000 in 2017 to 151,000 last year, with a target of reaching 200,000 licenses by the end of 2025.
The forum reflects the strong development momentum underway in the capital, where national ambitions intersect with global expertise to showcase the Kingdom's leadership in adopting innovative solutions and developing infrastructure capable of meeting future requirements. Such efforts consolidate Riyadh's position as a global metropolis prepared to host major international events and set a model for sustainable urban development. They also confirm the Kingdom's steady progress toward building integrated infrastructure based on innovation, sustainability, and institutional coordination, thereby strengthening Riyadh's competitiveness on the global stage.