PR99431

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 11, 2023/PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ -

    - 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