- Largest-ever meeting of its kind praises the role of the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia's Vision 2030

    More than 60 government ministers and delegations responsible for their 
countries' minerals and metals strategies attended the second Ministerial 
Roundtable hosted by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources 
in the largest-ever meeting of its kind. The Roundtable, which took place today 
in Riyadh, will be followed by the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) 2023, which runs 
between 11 – 12 January 2023.  FMF is conducted under the auspices of the 
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

    21 international organizations also participated in the Roundtable, 
including the World Bank, the United Nations, the United Nations Industrial 
Development Organization, and the International Union for Conservation of 
Nature and Natural Resources, a 400-member NGO dedicated to nature conservation 
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_conservation) and the sustainable use 
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability) of natural resources.

    His Excellency Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Saudi Minister of Industry and 
Mineral Resources  opened the meeting with a speech in which he welcomed 
participants and highlighted that the meeting reflected the vital role mining 
plays in shaping our transition to a sustainable future and equitable economic 
development. While the focus was on the super-region that stretches from Africa 
to Central Asia, he said: "I think it's safe to say that mining interests all 
over the world are following what we discuss."

    His Excellency Al-Khorayef added: "When we convened the first Ministerial 
Roundtable a year ago, we intended to increase awareness of the potential for 
mineral-driven economic development across our region. We wanted to place this 
vast mineral heartland on the world's net-zero transition stage. In our second 
event, interest has only increased. This shows our joint commitment to the 
net-zero transition and a resource-efficient, resilient and responsible future. 
It also demonstrates the challenge this change poses to our generation."

    Several ministers will participate in the conference sessions, most notably 
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy;  HE 
the Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih;  HE the Saudi Minister of 
Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, and HE the 
Vice-Mining Affairs Khalid Al-Mudaifer.

    Confirmed speakers include leading energy, minerals and metals industry 
leaders and think tank experts, including: Mike Henry, CEO of BHP; Andrew 
Liveris, Chairman of Lucid Motors; Roy Harvey, President and CEO of Alcoa; Gerd 
Muller, Director General UNIDO; and Robert Wilt, CEO of Ma'aden. 

    Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1980978/FMF_Largest_Meeting.jpg

    Source - Future Minerals Forum