Future Investment Summit Draws Roadmap for Global Challenges

CEO of Future Investment Initiative Institute Richard Attias during a previous global summit in New York (SPA)
CEO of Future Investment Initiative Institute Richard Attias during a previous global summit in New York (SPA)
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Future Investment Summit Draws Roadmap for Global Challenges

CEO of Future Investment Initiative Institute Richard Attias during a previous global summit in New York (SPA)
CEO of Future Investment Initiative Institute Richard Attias during a previous global summit in New York (SPA)

The Saudi Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) is organizing "Priority Asia in Hong Kong" in December to discuss priorities such as evolving social, economic, and geopolitical climate.

The data-driven summit, which will host leaders, policymakers, CEOs, students, volunteers, academics, investors, and more, aims to lay a road map for overcoming the world's most pressing challenges.

It was designed as a regional platform to understand humanity's needs, desires, and expectations and then engage in discussions and debates that stimulate effective action and pioneering solutions.

FII CEO Richard Attias explained that the PRIORITY is held to open "our eyes to humanity's main concerns— a priceless tool in the hands of those capable of change."

Attias indicated that the summit focuses on what action we can take to address these concerns and how to redesign business models and economies to make way for more prosperous, fulfilling lives. It echoes the annual FII flagship conference.

"As part of the FII Institute's vision to make a lasting, positive impact on humanity, our priority is to ensure that no one's voice goes unheard—which is why we are determined to hold this global dialogue on all continents so that those in power can listen and connect to all of humanity,” he said.

FII PRIORITY is designed as a regional platform for understanding humanity's needs, wants, and expectations—then engaging in discussions and debates to prompt action and pioneering solutions.

Based on the FII Institute's global PRIORITY Report, which surveyed citizens worldwide, the goal is to empower leaders and decision-makers through information and dialogue as they address the key priorities for several segments of society.

For his part, the Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, Paul Chan, welcomed the FII Institute's decision to host the first FII PRIORITY Asia Summit in Hong Kong.

Chan said it demonstrates Hong Kong's unique position and role in connecting the Mainland, Asia, and the world and will further deepen ties with partners and counterparts around the globe, especially with those in the Middle East.

He added, "The summit will be an important platform for gathering global political and business leaders, academics, and experts to exchange views on world trends and topical issues."

"I trust this Summit will be a great success with fruitful outcomes."

Furthermore, the Chairman of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEX), Laura M Cha, expressed HKEX's delight in partnering with FII Institute and the HKSAR Government to bring FII PRIORITY to Asia in December 2023.

She noted that the significant new summit fully aligns with HKEX's commitment to promoting connectivity across markets, economies, and societies, fostering a world where collaboration and innovation can help solve global challenges.

"We look forward to welcoming experts and leaders to Hong Kong and building a shared and sustainable future for us all."

FII is a global nonprofit foundation driven by data with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity.

The Institute fosters great minds worldwide and turns ideas into real-world solutions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics, Education, Healthcare, and Sustainability.



OPEC Secretary General: Producing Critical Minerals in Future Not Only Dependent on Renewable Energy

Trucks transporting minerals from the mountains (Getty)
Trucks transporting minerals from the mountains (Getty)
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OPEC Secretary General: Producing Critical Minerals in Future Not Only Dependent on Renewable Energy

Trucks transporting minerals from the mountains (Getty)
Trucks transporting minerals from the mountains (Getty)

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said on Monday that those that talk of critical minerals delivering the world a future of only renewables and EVs, are not providing a full picture.

In an article published on the organization’s official website, Al Ghais spoke about the many future energy pathways for nations and peoples across the world, affirming that “we all need to be realistic about how these can be achieved.”

Al Ghais said that sustainable energy pathways are vital for populations all over the world. However, he noted, “we need to appreciate the real-world impacts of scenarios and policies aimed at ramping up renewables and electric vehicles (EVs). There are many elements that filter into this, a central one being the role played by critical minerals.”

At this point, he mentioned the International Energy Agency (IEA), which says that in its Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2050 Scenario, demand for critical minerals quadruples by 2040.

“It is a pace never seen before in history,” Al Ghais wrote.

He noted that while these minerals, such as copper, cobalt, silicon, nickel, lithium, graphite and rare earths underpin the development of renewables and EVs, OPEC Member Countries are investing heavily in renewables, in all stages of their supply chains, and participating in the development of EVs.

OPEC attaches an importance “to the role of renewables and electrification in our energy future,” he said.

Al Ghais then posed several questions on the nature of such an expansion of critical mineral requirements.

“Is this kind of expansion truly feasible? What are the implications? How sustainable is it? And how important is oil and gas to the expansion of critical minerals, as well as renewables, EVs and grids,” he asked.

In the mentioned IEA scenario, Al Ghais said that by 2040, copper demand rises by 50%, rare earths demand almost doubles, cobalt demand more than doubles, and nickel demand is close to tripling.

“These are nowhere near the largest increases either. Graphite demand grows almost four times, and lithium sees a nearly ninefold expansion by 2040, underlining its crucial role in batteries,” he noted.

The OPEC Secretary General affirmed that this will require the construction of a huge number of new mines.

“Back in 2022, the IEA said that by 2030 alone, the world would need to build 50 new lithium mines, 60 new nickel mines and 17 cobalt mines,” he said.

He added, “It should be borne in mind that, historically, critical supply chain projects, such as for these types of commodities, have had long development lead times, from discovery to first production.”

Here, Al Ghais asked another question: is such growth realistic? And what might the impact be if growth comes up short, and equally importantly, what if policymakers have also followed a path of no longer investing in new oil and gas projects?

The Secretary General said EVs, wind turbines, solar panels, as well as new grids, are all hungry for critical minerals.

“An EV contains approximately 200 kg of minerals,” he explained. “For contrast, a conventional car uses around 34 kg. One megawatt of electricity produced by an offshore wind turbine requires around 15 tons of minerals, while the figure for solar is around seven tons. For natural gas, it is just over 1 ton.”