Annual AlUla Economic Policy Conference Opens in Saudi Arabia to Drive Global Dialogue on Emerging Market Resilience
Top finance officials, central bankers and policymakers gather in AlUla to address global economic shifts and strengthen cooperation
A major high-level economic policy forum has opened in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Governorate, bringing together finance ministers, central bank governors, senior policymakers and leaders of international institutions to discuss opportunities and challenges facing emerging market economies amid evolving global conditions.
The second annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, jointly organised by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund, began on February 8 and continues through February 9.
The two-day forum, held under the theme “Policies Amid a Reset of the International Trade and Financial Systems”, is designed to facilitate policy dialogue on how emerging markets can navigate a period of structural shifts in global trade, finance and economic growth.
Sessions at the conference focus on topics including the transformation of global trade frameworks, responses to monetary and financial uncertainty, fiscal policy in shock-prone environments and strategies for private sector-led growth supported by technological innovation.
Attendees include representatives from emerging markets and select advanced economies, heads of major financial organisations, academic experts and private sector leaders.
Discussions are expected to explore how coordinated policies can strengthen economic resilience, support sustainable growth and safeguard stability in the face of geopolitical realignment, regulatory changes and demographic trends that are reshaping the world economy.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the forum reflects its expanding role in facilitating international economic cooperation and highlights the Kingdom’s strategic partnership with the IMF.
Organisers have positioned the conference as a platform to elevate the perspectives of emerging markets in global policy dialogues — emphasising inclusive approaches to addressing external shocks, boosting productivity and harnessing technological advances such as artificial intelligence to enhance competitiveness.
The AlUla Conference aims to produce actionable insights and strengthen multilateral engagement on economic policy, providing a space for consensus-building among policymakers confronting widespread economic uncertainty and looking to align their strategies with broader efforts to sustain global growth and stability.