The Majlis

Ari Matityahu has spent the last decade bringing global companies to  Saudi, and shares his insights and advice on how global companies can support the vision 2030 goals. He says, “it isn’t too late to expand in to the region, it’s in fact the right time to explore”.  Ari is a global entrepreneur with over a decade working and investing in KSA. As Founder & Chairman of  Wafa Global Solutions, he focuses on driving world-class ventures and solutions to the GCC through strategic investments and partnerships. He is also the Founder & Chairman of Danforth Holdings. Ari has advised public and private entities on entrepreneurship and foreign direct investment into the kingdom.

Bilal provides an overview of Saudi Arabia's ambitious defense transformation plan. Relying on his professional experience as a defense analyst and a former official in the Pentagon, he explains the challenges and opportunities of Saudi defense reform from a historical perspective, while ultimately tying the subject to the future of US-Saudi security relations.Bilal is the Senior Managing Director of TRENDS US in Washington, DC, a consulting firm that focuses on strategic relations between the United States and the Middle East. He is also an Associate Fellow with Chatham House in London and an Adjunct Professor with Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. He served as a senior advisor in the US Department of Defense in the first term of the Trump administration, overseeing all US security cooperation activities in the Middle East.

Dr. Ibrahim Almojel, a founding partner of Khwarizmi Holding and a former CEO at the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, shares his wealth of experience in investment and economic transformation. He discusses the crucial role of Vision 2030 in reshaping Saudi Arabia’s economy and emphasizes the importance of understanding personal investment strategies. Dr. Almojel also highlights the significance of mentorship for youth, the importance of building relationships in the local investment ecosystem, and the balance of attracting global talent while nurturing local professionals.

Ambassador Michael Ratney is the current U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, a position he has held since April 2023, the first career diplomat to serve in the role in approximately 30 years. Prior to this, he has held diplomatic positions across the Middle East.Ambassador Ratney and I discuss the history of U.S.-Saudi relations, the sectors the two countries collaborate on, the importance of cultural diplomacy, and the global importance of the alliance.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Reem Bunyan. We discuss value-centric healthcare, which focuses efforts on the quality of care received rather than the amount of health services offered, to transform the way healthcare is done globally. Dr. Reem spearheads Saudi Arabia's efforts on this front, fostering connection and knowledge-sharing with the G20. Dr. Reem is the CEO of the Center for Value in Health in Saudi Arabia, leading national efforts to enhance healthcare value through policy influence and capability building. She co-chaired the G20 Health Working Group in 2020, advocating for a Global Innovation Hub to improve healthcare systems globally. An American Board-Certified Neurologist specialized in Multiple Sclerosis, she has held various leadership roles and received the King Abdulaziz Order of Merit for her contributions to health system transformation in the Kingdom.

Abdulrahman Albassam, founder and executive chairman of AWN Enterprises and a leader in Saudi real estate and tourism, shares his insights on the transformative impact of Vision 2030. He discusses the challenges and opportunities that arose for the private sector, particularly in real estate and tourism development. The talk highlights a surge in domestic tourism, aiming for 150 million visits by 2030, and emphasizes the need for public-private partnerships to balance luxury and accessibility in tourism offerings. Abdulrahman also reflects on the rich legacy of his family's business.

Join us for a conversation with Frank Kane, an award-winning journalist who has spent the last two decades reporting on the Gulf, as part of institutions like Arab News, The National, and Arabian Gulf Business Insight. He is also a communications consultant to the Ministry of Energy in KSA. Frank and Yasmin discuss the latest COP events in Baku & in Riyadh, the advances in green energy occurring, and the Western media perception of Saudi Arabia as a blocker rather than a proponent of clean energy.

This week, join us for an inspiring conversation with Aida Murad on the creative economy. We discuss the ways in which the arts not only benefit the individual but the economy as a whole, Aida's journey as an artist, and the various ways she infuses art into programs to the benefit of governments and corporations.Aida Murad, shortlisted as America’s Next Top Artist by Smithsonian Channel, is a Global Impact Artist, who has been collected by top art collectors. In fine art, she has sold out 10 collections and has been featured in 35 exhibitions.  Her painting was the first to be auctioned by the New York Public Theatre, selected by Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Hamilton and The Heights) and his father. She is selected as a BMW Foundation Leader.

Ragad AlNasser is the CIO of Jabal Uhud Holding Company, and founder & CEO of the “Wealth Management Company.” Ragad has experience managing global assets and joins us to encourage everyone to invest, particularly women in Saudi. Ragad and I discuss the low investment and savings culture in Saudi, give realistic and tactical advice on how to get started, and dissect the reasons behind the recent IPO boom in Saudi, what it means for the country and the wider region, and why it matters for you as an individual.

Sultan Moraished, Group Head of Technology and Corporate Excellence at Red Sea Global, shares insights from his banking background on fostering a positive work culture. He emphasizes the role of ‘ihsan’ (goodwill) in enhancing teamwork for massive projects. Sultan discusses tech as an enabling force, advocating for sustainable practices and minimizing AI overuse for environmental reasons. The conversation also highlights the importance of cybersecurity awareness and building local workforce capabilities through education and collaboration.