Riyadh: FII conference postponed to 2027 after Houthi attacks

On Monday, 19 October 2026, Saudi Arabia postponed the "Future Investment Initiative" (FII) conference, the country's most important investment gathering, to 2027. The tenth edition was due to be held in Riyadh from 26 to 29 October; the decision came after a wave of missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory by the Houthis, allies of the Islamic Republic.

Princess Maha bint Mishari Al Saud, CEO of the FII Institute, said in a statement that the delay is so that the "tenth edition" can be held at the level and quality participants expect, and that new dates will be announced "soon". The organisers also told registered participants that the conference will not take place for now.

Investors' security concerns

In recent weeks the Houthi attacks have targeted, among others, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha Airport, disrupting flights and alarming international executives and investors. Figures such as Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, and Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, were expected to attend the conference. According to reports, banks and major investment firms had privately raised their security concerns with the management of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

This is not the only economic event to be postponed. The Intersec Saudi Arabia security exhibition, planned for 16 to 18 November, has been moved to October 2027, and the Saudi Retail Forum has been moved from 19 November to March 2027. A number of sporting and cultural events have also been cancelled or delayed for security reasons.

The cost of the Islamic Republic's proxy war for the region

The postponement was announced on the same day that a Houthi missile attack on the al-Alam camp in Shabwa, Yemen left at least 53 dead and 200 wounded, according to local officials. The IRGC had earlier been accused of sending missile and drone parts to the Houthis on Mahan Air flights; attacks that now not only take the lives of Yemeni and Saudi civilians but also hold the economy and stability of the entire region hostage.

Saudi Arabia's most important investment conference has become a victim of the missiles and drones of the Houthis, allies of the Islamic Republic.