President Paul Kagame of Rwanda arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Friday for the World Economic Forum’s special meeting focused on “Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.”
The three-day gathering, taking place April 27-29, brings together global leaders from government, business and civil society to discuss key issues around economic growth, climate change, energy security and international cooperation.
President Kagame was greeted at King Khalid International Airport by senior Saudi officials before heading to the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center, where the WEF meeting is being held.
He is expected to participate in several panel discussions and meetings with other heads of state, prime ministers and corporate executives in attendance. Energy policy and climate initiatives are likely to be key areas of focus for the Rwandan leader.
In his national policy agenda, Kagame has prioritized sustainable development, economic transformation and regional integration efforts. Rwanda is part of the East African Community trading bloc.
The World Economic Forum has held its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland for over 50 years. However, this special April meeting is taking place in Saudi Arabia, which is chairing the G20 presidency in 2024 under the theme “Uniting for Progress.”
Over 2,000 participants from more than 90 countries are registered for the Riyadh summit, including delegations from G20 nations, international organizations, experts, and representatives from stakeholder groups globally.
Key topics on the agenda span restoring economic growth, tackling climate change, addressing energy insecurity, managing global financial stability risks, food security challenges, and exploring opportunities in the energy transition.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to deliver opening remarks at the meeting’s plenary session on Saturday morning. The forum will conclude on Sunday with the release of final reports and policy recommendations.
