The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute has postponed its 10th Riyadh conference from Oct. 26-29, 2026, to 2027, delaying a gathering of investors, business leaders and government officials.
The institute said it wanted the 10th edition to meet its expectations for scale and quality; it did not cite the attacks as a reason for postponement. It said attendee registrations and partnership arrangements would carry over to the rescheduled event. The first FII conference was held in 2017.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said two Oct. 8 attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and a Saudia aircraft. Three Saudi citizens were killed, the authority said. It also reported injuries without specifying how many people were hurt. FII did not link its decision to the attacks.
In a post on Sunday, Oct. 18, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf urged regional governments, funds and companies to withhold resources from artificial intelligence and data firms he accused of aiding attacks. Ghalibaf also mentioned a future “Persian Gulf Data Authority” but did not describe its duties or provide a start date.
Egypt’s National Defense Council pledged support for Saudi Arabia at a meeting chaired by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday, Oct. 18. The council said it would step up diplomacy to lower regional tensions. Its statement did not announce a military deployment.
According to Egypt’s State Information Service, an overseas combat mission requires consultation with the National Defense Council and approval from two-thirds of the House of Representatives. The council’s statement set no timetable for assistance.
FII said it would announce dates for the 2027 conference later.
