Welcome to WIC Highlights  

Explore the top highlights from the 28th World Investment Conference. From the grand opening ceremony to engaging panel discussions, first-time initiatives, video recordings, and much more, this page brings you a comprehensive overview of the event.

28th WIC Speakers

Ministers

International Organizations 

#28thWIC Top Highlights

Opening Ceremony

Riyadh — Hosted by WAIPA and INVEST SAUDI , the 28th WAIPA World Investment Conference began with an inspiring opening address by H.E. Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Investment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His speech set the tone for an extraordinary gathering of global investment leaders.
The ceremony featured a powerful keynote by Nivruti Rai, President of WAIPA and Managing Director and CEO of Invest India, followed by a visionary address from Dr. James Zhan, Chair of the Executive Board of the WIC. Closing the ceremony, Ismail Ersahin, Executive Director and CEO of WAIPA, reflected on WAIPA’s legacy and outlined its future aspirations.

High-Level Ministerial Roundtable

For the first time in WIC’s history, we hosted the prestigious High-Level Ministerial Roundtable, bringing together ministers and global leaders.

Moderated by Dr. James Zhan, this historic forum emphasized the importance of aligning industrial policy with investment promotion strategies to tackle global challenges such as climate change, technological advancements, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. The event was a testament to the critical role of collaborative leadership in driving transformative economic change.

Ministerial Roundtable

Ambassadors – IPA Executive Dialoge

High Level Plenary Sessions

The 28th WIC showcased a series of dynamic panel discussions that delved into key topics in investment promotion and economic development. Thought leaders and industry experts shared insights on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), leveraging innovation to boost global competitiveness, and fostering sustainable growth through responsible investment practices.

The discussions also underscored the value of regional collaboration, private-sector partnerships, and adaptable policies tailored to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving investment landscape. A strong emphasis was placed on digital transformation and data-driven strategies, ensuring IPAs remain resilient and adaptive in today’s dynamic global economy.

Gala Dinner & IPA Excellence Awards Ceremony

The Gala Dinner at the 28th WAIPA World Investment Conference celebrated the inaugural WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards, recognizing IPAs and their investor partners for outstanding contributions in three key categories.

In the Innovative Use of ICT in Investment Facilitation, Invest India was the winner for the Noida International Airport Project, with Tanzania Investment Centre receiving a Special LDC Award for Keda Tanzania Ceramics, and Invest Shanghai as runner-up for Nine United’s Asia-Pacific headquarters.

In Contribution to Sustainability & Local Linkages, GAFI Egypt won for supporting Haier Egypt Ecological Park, with Special LDC Awards going to Uganda Investment Authority for Nexus Green Limited’s Solar Water Irrigation Project and ANAPI-RDC for RAXIO DATA CENTER DRC; ProInversión Perú was the runner-up for the Salaverry Multipurpose Port Terminal Project.

For Excellence in Investment Facilitation, ANPI Comores won for enabling MidOcean University through the Empowering Education Through Innovation Project, and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) was runner-up for MaiStorage Technology’s Greenfield Project.

The evening concluded with a Special Recognition Award presented to H.E. Ibrahim AlMubarak, CEO of INVEST SAUDI, for his exceptional leadership in hosting this landmark event, which underscored the vital role of IPAs in driving transformative investments globally.

General Assembly 

This year’s General Assembly welcomed 58 distinguished WAIPA members and Business Advisory Board representatives, including Dr. Caroline King, Global Head of Business Development & Corporate Affairs at SAP, and Dr. Trevor Gunn, Vice President of International Affairs at Medtronic.

The meeting began with an official call to order led by WAIPA Executive Director Mr. Ismail Ersahin, WAIPA President Ms. Nivruti Rai, and representatives of the Vice-Presidencies. Mr. Ersahin presented the Permanent Secretariat’s updates, covering the audited financial statements, the Annual Report of WAIPA Activities for 2023-2024, and the Budget and Activity Plan for 2025.

A key highlight was the presentation by Mr. James Zhan, Chairman of the Executive Board of the WAIPA World Investment Conference, who outlined WAIPA’s new institutional strategies in response to the evolving global economy. His insights underscored the need for agile and forward-thinking approaches to empower IPAs in this transformative era.

The discussions emphasized the transformative power of collaboration between IPAs and the business community in achieving investment success. Open dialogue, shared strategies, and a commitment to innovation stood out as cornerstones of progress during this pivotal session. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the WAIPA Executive Director and presentation of the membership plaques, marking a successful assembly that laid the groundwork for future initiatives.