By Ahmed Asmar
ANKARA (AA) — A Saudi investment summit is scheduled to open in Miami, Florida, next week with US President Donald Trump expected to attend.
The Priority Summit hosted by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund, will be held on Feb. 19-21 under the theme "Investing with Purpose."
It will be attended by global leaders, investors, innovators, financiers and tech executives, including TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew and Oracle CEO Safra Catz, in addition to academic partners such as Columbia University and McKinsey Health Institute.
US news agency Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that Trump is expected to deliver an in-person address at the gathering.
Washington has not yet confirmed Trump’s participation in the event.
According to the official Saudi news agency SPA, the summit will host impactful panels on “geographic fragmentation and the role of geopolitical shifts in reshaping global investment flows, artificial intelligence and infrastructure, investing in sports, and economics in crises.”
“Purposeful investment is key to shaping a sustainable and prosperous future, and we are proud to partner with industry leaders whose commitment to innovation and responsible investment aligns with our mission,” said Richard Attias, executive committee chairman of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, run by the Saudi wealth fund
“Their expertise will drive meaningful discussions at the Miami Priority Summit, ensuring that global capital is directed towards solutions that deliver lasting economic and social value.”
The summit comes amid tension between the Arab world and the US over Trump’s controversial plan to “take over” the Gaza Strip and resettle Palestinians elsewhere to develop what he calls “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
His proposal was met with widespread condemnations from Palestinians, Arab countries, and many other nations across the world, including Canada, France, Germany, and the UK.
A ceasefire agreement has been in place in Gaza since Jan. 19, halting the Israeli war that has killed more than 48,200 people, mostly women and children, and left the Palestinian enclave in ruins.