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PIF Hosts 7th Annual One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds Summit in Riyadh

PIF Hosts 7th Annual One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds Summit in Riyadh
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PIF Hosts 7th Annual One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds Summit in Riyadh

PIF Hosts 7th Annual One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds Summit in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) organized the seventh annual summit for the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds (OPSWF) Group in Riyadh on Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron, PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and over 100 CEOs, members of OPSWF, asset managers, and private equity fund representatives attended the event.

The summit coincided with Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Saudi Green Initiative, and the One Water Summit.

Tuesday’s discussions focused on the pivotal role of sovereign wealth funds as global investors in addressing climate challenges, creating value through opportunity-driven investments, and financing current and future climate solutions to drive economic transformation and sustainable development.

Other issues included expanding investments in renewable energy, supporting green financing in hard-to-abate sectors, utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance emission reduction strategies, and advancing green building standards.

Key action tracks were identified to enhance investment decision-making for climate action, boost efficiency and impact within the global financial system, and address crucial areas, such as climate-related data, enabling technologies like AI, transition finance, clean hydrogen, greening real estate, and renewables in emerging markets and developing economies.

"PIF is committed to net zero by 2050, contributing to Saudi Arabia's aim of net zero by 2060. Renewables is one of PIF's strategic sectors, and PIF is working toward the localization of renewable energy and hydrogen production to achieve its target of developing 70% of the nation's renewable energy capacity," he added.

He stressed PIF's ongoing efforts to support sustainability through various projects and initiatives, including the issuance of its Green Finance Framework, the first sovereign wealth fund to issue a green bond, and the first to issue a 100-year green bond.

PIF and OPSWF Network members are building a sustainable and inclusive investment approach to ensure inclusivity for all in the transition to net zero, he noted.

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US Close to Several Trade Deals, Announcements to be Made in Next Days, Bessent Says

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters at the US Capitol as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass US President Donald Trump’s sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., US, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters at the US Capitol as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass US President Donald Trump’s sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., US, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo
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US Close to Several Trade Deals, Announcements to be Made in Next Days, Bessent Says

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters at the US Capitol as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass US President Donald Trump’s sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., US, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters at the US Capitol as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass US President Donald Trump’s sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., US, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo

The United States is close to clinching several trade deals ahead of a July 9 deadline when higher tariffs kick in, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday, predicting several big announcements in coming days.

Bessent told CNN's "State of the Union" the Trump administration would also send out letters to 100 smaller countries with whom the US doesn't have much trade, notifying them that they would face higher tariff rates first set on April 2 and then suspended until July 9.

"President Trump's going to be sending letters to some of our trading partners saying that if you don't move things along, then on August 1 you will boomerang back to your April 2 tariff level. So I think we're going to see a lot of deals very quickly," Bessent said.

Bessent denied that August 1 was a new deadline for negotiations. "We are saying this is when it's happening. If you want to speed things up, have at it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that's your choice," he told CNN, Reuters reported.

The US Treasury chief said the Trump administration was focused on 18 important trading partners that account for 95% of the US trade deficit. But he said there had been "a lot of foot-dragging" among countries in getting closure on a trade deal.

He declined to name countries that were close to a trade agreement, adding, "because I don't want to let them off the hook."

Trump has repeatedly said India is close to signing a deal and expressed hope that an agreement could be reached with the European Union, while casting doubt on a deal with Japan.

Since taking office, the US president has set off a global trade war that has upended financial markets and sent policymakers scrambling to guard their economies, including through deals with the US and other countries.

Trump on April 2 announced a 10% base tariff rate and additional amounts for most countries, some ranging as high as 50%. The news roiled financial markets, prompting Trump to suspend all but the 10% base rate for 90 days to allow more time for negotiations to secure deals, but the process has proven more challenging than expected.

That period ends on July 9, although Trump early on Friday said the tariffs could be even higher - ranging up to 70% - with most set to go into effect August 1.

Bessent, asked about the 70% rate, referred back to the April 2 list, but that did not include such high rates.