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.
6000+
Attendees
120+
Countries
27
Ministers
20+
Ambassadors
70+
IPAs
106
Speakers
33
Conference Sessions
1st
Ministerial Roundtable
1st
Ambassador Roundtable
9
Masterclasses
18
Side Events
200+
B2B meetings
The Executive Board of WIC
The Executive Board guide every aspect of the conference—from agenda-setting to launching global initiatives—ensuring that WIC reflects WAIPA’s mission of fostering sustainable investments and strengthening collaboration among IPAs, for more information view The Executive Board page.
28th WIC Speakers
Ministers
International Organizations
Investment Promotion Agencies
#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.
WIC Outcomes
Ministerial Roundtable
“Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Strategy in the New Era”
Attendees: 28 Ministers and Heads of International Organizations
Chair: H.E. Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Moderator: James Zhan, Chair, Executive Board of the World Investment Conference, WAIPA
Ambassadors-IPA Executive Dialoge
“Synergies between Diplomacy and Investment Promotion”
Attendees: 30 ambassadors, the Executives of IPAs and the CEO of WAIPA
Chair: H.E. Ibrahim Almubarak, Assistant Minister of Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Moderator: James Zhan, Chair, Executive Board of World Investment Conference, WAIPA
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.
Thematic Focus
Digital Transformation
Sustainability
Economic Cooperation
Conference Tracks
Program Details
Explore the rich and diverse program of the recently concluded 28th WIC, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, here.
Videos Library
The 28th WIC was a landmark event that brought together ministers, ambassadors, and global thought leaders to share unparalleled insights and expertise. The conference tackled critical themes, including digital transformation, advanced data analytics, sustainability, and global economic collaboration. From ethical finance and strategic partnerships to cutting-edge innovations in technology and sector-specific opportunities, the discussions offered a comprehensive vision for the future of trade and investment. Watch the video recordings below to relive these inspiring conversations and gain valuable perspectives on shaping tomorrow’s investment landscape.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
HOST of WIC 2024
A Special Recognition Award was presented to H.E. Ibrahim AlMubarak, Assistant Minister of Investment and CEO of INVEST SAUDI, honoring his outstanding role as the incredible host of the 28th WAIPA World Investment Conference.
Invest Saudi demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication in orchestrating this landmark event, which brought together Ministers, Ambassadors, IPAs, global business leaders, and key stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue and foster collaboration on a global scale.
Their commitment to excellence set a new standard for WAIPA events, leaving a lasting impression on the global investment community.
A big thank you to Invest Saudi for their invaluable contributions to the success of the 28th WIC!
Sponsors
About World Investment Conference
Hosted since 1995, the WAIPA World Investment Conference (WIC) is a forum where IPAs convene to address current economic and social issues that may affect global investment flows and other strategic and policy considerations. The Conference includes formal panel presentations, ample networking opportunities and social events for the members. Past panelists include global and business leaders, along with other influencers like economists and members of academia. The topics of the panels are selected based on current events and trends.
For more information check out our previous legacy of WICs here.