Function Rooms

Conference & Workshop

Riyadh, KSA

Luncheon

Riyadh, KSA

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Monday 7th September 2026 - Day 1

PPP in a Changing World: How Vision 2030 Navigates Global Uncertainty, Capital Shifts, and Geopolitical Risk

8:00am

Registration and Morning Refreshments

8:45am

Welcoming Address and Opening Remarks

9:00am

PPP in a Changing World: How Vision 2030 Navigates Global Uncertainty, Capital Shifts, and Geopolitical Risk

Enhancing Investment Readiness in a Volatile Global Environment: Moving beyond portfolio expansion to build standardized risk-sharing models and contractual frameworks that respond to inflation, supply chain disruption, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Building Institutional Execution Capacity: Strengthening governance and delivery capabilities to ensure resilience amid global instability and shifting investment priorities.
Maximizing National Value & Strategic Autonomy: Leveraging PPPs to secure critical infrastructure across energy, water, transport, and digital sectors in an increasingly fragmented world.
Competing for Global Capital: How Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a stable, investable destination as capital reallocates toward low-risk, high-growth markets.

Ahmed Al-Obaid,
Strategic Advisor in Economic Policy, Investment Strategy & Public–Private Partnerships

9:35am

Digital Infrastructure Revolution: How PPPs Will Power Saudi Arabia’s Smart and Connected Future

From neutral host networks to AI-powered data centers reshaping how public and private sectors share infrastructure
Leveraging digital PPP models to enhance connectivity, efficiency, and sustainability across giga and smart city projects
Lessons from the Madinah Neutral Host project in integrating private innovation into national digital strategy
Future Outlook: Why data, AI, and telecom PPPs are becoming the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy
Strengthening Digital Sovereignty: The growing importance of PPPs in securing data, telecom, and AI infrastructure amid cybersecurity risks and geopolitical competition

H.E Ziad Alexandre Hayek,
President of the World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP) & Co-Founder of HyperCycle.ai.

10:10am

Tea/Coffee Break

10:25am

Inside the NCP Playbook: Empowering Partnerships, Driving Growth

How Saudi Arabia’s PPP frameworks are setting a new regional benchmark for private sector engagement amid increasing global competition for capital.
How the National Center for Privatization is building coordination across ministries and sectors to accelerate delivery despite external economic pressures.
Upcoming PPP pipeline: what’s tendering, what’s next, and where investors should look in a shifting global investment environment.
How digital tendering and streamlined processes are improving speed, transparency, and investor confidence.

Senior Representative from NCP

11:00am

How Logistics & Transport PPPs Are Reshaping Saudi Arabia’s Global Competitiveness

How logistics and transport PPPs are positioning Saudi Arabia as a global trade and connectivity hub
The role of integrated logistics ecosystems in supporting giga-projects and economic diversification
Building resilient supply chains and infrastructure amid global uncertainty
The future of multimodal transport, logistics zones, airports, and digital logistics platforms under Vision 2030
How public-private collaboration is accelerating infrastructure delivery and operational excellence

Rayan AlBakri,
President of logistics at SAL - Saudi Logistic Services

11:35am

Case Study: How SWPC is Redefining Wastewater Infrastructure Resilience, Energy Integration, and Delivery Under Global Pressure

How SWPC leverages PPP frameworks to ensure effective risk transfer, contractual discipline, and long-term performance sustainability.
Delivering major projects (e.g., Jeddah 300,000 m³/day and Taif 100,000 m³/day) amid global supply chain disruptions while maintaining schedule integrity and technical standards.
Integrating biogas and CHP systems to achieve up to ~70% renewable energy utilization in selected plants, alongside biosolids valorization for environmental and agricultural benefits.
Positioning decentralized treatment models as strategic enablers for sustainable reuse, highlighting Riyadh East ISTP as a forward-looking case example.
Delivering large-scale PPP projects amid global supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and contractor constraints.

Mohammed Khojah,
Executive Director - ISTPs & ISWRs project Delivery at Saudi Water Partnership Company SWPC

12:00pm

Lunch Break

13:00pm

Panel Discussion: Winning Global Capital in Uncertain Times: How Saudi Arabia is Positioning PPPs Amid Geopolitical Shifts

How are ministries aligning policies, regulations, and delivery timelines to remain competitive in a shifting investment landscape?
How are geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty reshaping investor priorities and infrastructure decisions?
What incentives and financial mechanisms are being introduced to attract and retain long-term capital?
How can collaboration and digital regulation accelerate delivery and reduce project delays?
Are investors increasingly prioritizing stability, transparency, and risk mitigation over returns?

Moderator:

David Baxter,
Senior PPP Advisor | ISRC | Chair, WAPPP North America

Panelists:

H.E Ziad Alexandre Hayek,
President of the World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP) & Co-Founder of HyperCycle.ai.
Mohammed Abdullah Alajaji,
Global Institutions and Partnerships Executive Director at National Infrastructure Fund (Infra)

13:40pm

Delivering Vision 2030 through Transport & Logistics PPPs

How Saudi Arabia’s regulatory frameworks, policies, and institutional structures are shaping a clear, credible environment for transport and logistics PPPs.
Making PPPs Bankable and Investor-Ready: The role of government in risk allocation, procurement design, and long-term policy stability to attract private capital and operators.
Practical insights from real transport and logistics PPPs, highlighting what works, what doesn’t, and where government intervention makes the biggest difference.
How coordinated government action across transport modes is driving efficiency, integration, and long-term economic impact in line with Vision 2030.

Rami Karout,
Senior Adviser, Middle East & North Africa, International Road Transport Union IRU

14:15pm

Powering Vision 2030 Through Delivering Sport & Entertainment PPPs at Global Scale in Saudi Arabia

How Saudi Arabia de-risks sport & entertainment PPPs through integrated demand creation, event pipelines, and sovereign coordination.
Governance and decision-making models that enable speed, accountability, and delivery certainty in complex, high-visibility leisure projects.
Financing structures that balance public objectives with private capital expectations in revenue-sensitive assets.
Practical lessons for governments and investors from Saudi Arabia’s end-to-end PPP delivery model under Vision 2030.
The next wave of entertainment PPPs: moving from asset delivery to portfolio optimization, operations, and global competitiveness.

Aftab Sindh,
Director Major Programs

14:50pm

Tea/Coffee Break

15:05pm

Reinventing Regulation: The New Era of PPP Law and Digital Oversight

How Saudi’s evolving PPP law is strengthening investor protection and transparency.
The rise of digital contracting and introducing smart, performance-linked agreements.
Why Saudi’s PPP legal ecosystem is becoming the gold standard for the GCC.

Stephen Beatty,
Infrastructure Strategist and PPP & Privatization Expert

15:40pm

From Policy Reform to Project Finance: Competing for Global Capital in a Fragmented Investment Landscape

How geopolitical tensions, global economic fragmentation, and capital reallocation are reshaping infrastructure investment flows and investor priorities
The role of FDI in driving technology transfer, innovation, and global market access, while strengthening domestic capital markets
Addressing capital misallocation caused by regulatory frictions, infrastructure gaps, and weak competition, and the policy levers needed to unlock sustainable growth
How governments can enhance credibility, reduce perceived risk, and position themselves as competitive, investment-ready destinations in a rapidly evolving global landscape

Dr. Abhishek Saurav,
Senior Economist, World Bank | Expert in Investment Climate Reform, Competitiveness & Growth Strategy

16:15pm

Delivering Urban PPP Projects on the Ground: From Design to Implementation in Saudi Municipalities

How municipalities translate national development plans into real infrastructure projects
The challenges of coordinating utilities, transport systems, drainage works, contractors, and delivery timelines
How PPP models can accelerate municipal project execution and efficiency
Practical lessons from urban infrastructure initiatives in cities such as Jeddah and Riyadh
Common misconceptions investors and developers may have about municipal project execution

Dr Ali Melibari,
Program Director (PMO Consultant), Jeddah Municipality

16:50pm

Closing of Forum - Day 1

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Tuesday 8th September 2026 - Day 2

Delivering Impact: Sectoral Transformation and Sustainable Development Through PPPs

8:00am

Registration and Morning Refreshments

9:00am

Welcoming Address and Opening Remarks

9:15am

Mainstage 01: AI-Powered PPPs & Smart Cities: Building Resilient, Secure, and Investable Infrastructure for the Future

How geopolitical dynamics and global uncertainty are shaping smart city investments and digital infrastructure priorities
The role of AI in enhancing resilience, risk management, and decision-making in large-scale infrastructure projects
How governments and investors can leverage AI to navigate volatility and improve long-term performance
Governance, trust, and regulation: frameworks for responsible, secure, and scalable AI in smart cities aligned with Vision 2030
Practical steps to move from pilot projects to scale, building AI-ready institutions, data ecosystems, and investable PPP models

Edgar Perez,
Top Global AI Keynote Speaker

10:05am

Mainstage 02: How AI, urban technology and PPPs can support the next phase of city transformation in Saudi Arabia

How do smart city investments become measurable urban outcomes?
Moving from technology deployment to better mobility, service quality, asset performance, liveability, sustainability and visitor experience.
What is the operating model for an intelligent city?
The role of data platforms, digital twins, interoperability, AI assurance, governance, cyber resilience and cross-agency coordination.
How should PPPs evolve for technology-enabled infrastructure?
Moving toward lifecycle performance, technology refresh, data-sharing, resilience and outcome-based contracts.
How can sustainable technology become bankable?
Turning energy efficiency, water resilience, smart mobility, circular economy, district systems and climate adaptation into investable propositions.
What global smart city lessons are most useful for Saudi Arabia’s next phase?
What has worked internationally, what has failed, and how cities can avoid fragmented pilots by building scalable governance and delivery models.

Mark Thomas,
Global Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Leader

10:55am

Tea/Coffee Break

11:10am

Mainstage 03: The Will To Win

The Mindset of an Adventurer: Embracing the Unknown and Continuous Growth
Turning Adversity into Strength and Opportunity
Pushing Personal Limits: Challenging Yourself to Achieve More
The Will to Win: Building Resilience, Focus, and High-Performance Thinking

Jamie Hull,
Motivational Speaker

12:00pm

The PPP & Smart Cities Leadership Awards Gala Ceremony

12:30pm

Lunch Break

13:30pm

Panel Discussion: Saudi PPPs Under Pressure: Delivering Vision 2030 in an Era of Global Disruption

How are healthcare, tourism, housing, and municipal sectors accelerating Vision 2030 delivery amid global uncertainty?
What are the biggest challenges impacting project execution, service delivery, and transformation across these sectors?
How can partnerships and innovation improve citizen experience, accessibility, and long-term public value?
What role are digital transformation, AI, and virtual services playing in shaping the future of healthcare, tourism, and cities?
How can governance and institutional collaboration accelerate delivery while maintaining quality and accountability?

Moderator:

David Baxter,
Senior PPP Advisor | ISRC | Chair, WAPPP North America

Panelists:

Hashem Al Fawaz,
Senior Vice President of Economic Affairs, Environment Fund (KSA)
Dr. Ibrahim Mubarak Al Baalharith,
Chief of Quality, Governance and Excellence Officer | SEHA Virtual Hospital and Innovation Enablement Center – Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia
Ibrahim Osta,
Senior Economic Growth Director & Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International

14:10pm

Global Case Study: Why Some PPPs Succeed While Others Fail: Lessons from Munich Airport

What makes airport PPPs successful: Structuring governance models that align public-sector objectives with investor expectations
Value Management as the common denominator: A practical framework that bridges the interests of governments, investors, and operators, driving operational excellence and financial performance
From strategy to execution: How to mobilize airport organizations to deliver on PPP commitments

Joerg Esser,
Managing Director, Munich Airport International (MAI)

14:45pm

How Multilateral Banks Really Decide on PPP Financing

What MDBs require before approving PPP debt, including credit criteria and government support.
How MDBs structure and share risk in mega PPPs, covering syndications and Islamic vs conventional tranches.
How MDBs monitor and manage PPP risk after financial close, including performance and covenant management.
Where do MDBs see opportunities in PPP in a rapidly changing World.

Mohamed Hedi Mejai,
Advisor to H.E The President, IsDB Group

15:20pm

Tea/Coffee Break

15:35pm

Governing the Future: How Responsible AI, Digital Risk, and Global Uncertainty Are Reshaping PPP Investment Strategy

How AI governance and digital risk frameworks are influencing infrastructure investment decisions
How geopolitical risk and digital threats are influencing infrastructure investment decisions.
Why cybersecurity and data governance are becoming critical due-diligence factors in PPP financing
The role of responsible AI in strengthening public trust, transparency, and long-term project sustainability
How governments can embed digital risk management into PPP procurement and regulatory frameworks
What investors and lenders now expect from PPP projects in an AI-driven world

TBA,
TBA

16:15pm

Giga Projects, Tourism & Culture: The New Frontier of Investment Partnerships

What makes giga-projects like NEOM globally investable, from financing models to long-term vision
How Saudi Arabia is balancing cultural authenticity with modern innovation to create world-class destinations.
Emerging PPP partnership and risk-sharing models accelerating tourism and mixed-use developments
The role of global collaboration in shaping Saudi Arabia’s next generation of iconic destinations
How success for tourism PPPs is being redefined beyond 2030 through economic, social, and sustainability impact

Paul Norris,
Managing Director - TRISKELION

16:50pm

Closing of Forum - Day 2

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Wednesday 9th September 2026 - Day 3

PPP EXECUTION Workshop: From Vision to Delivery
—
Building Bankable, Sustainable, and Future-Ready Projects

8:00am

Registration & Morning Refreshments

8:45am

CWI Opening Remarks

9:00am

INTRODUCTION – From Vision to Execution: The PPP Readiness Challenge

Are we truly ready to deliver the next generation of sustainable Saudi PPPs?

Redefining what PPP success means in the 2026–2030 landscape: delivery, trust, and innovation.
How does the next era of PPPs demand new skills on data literacy, negotiation agility, and sustainability.
Exploring lessons from global PPP markets that made the leap from policy ambition to project execution.
What is your organization’s biggest PPP challenge today: financing, governance, or delivery?

PART ONE - STRUCTURING WINNING PPPs – From Framework to Financial Close

How do you turn vision into a viable, investor-ready project?

The essential checklist of a sustainable bankable PPP, clarity, risk balance, and stakeholder alignment.
How to build investor confidence through visible leadership, transparency, credible feasibility studies, and institutional readiness.
What international lenders and local banks look for in your financial and operational model.
Reaching out to private sector partners.
Interactive exercise: identify structural red flags that kill investor appetite before financial close.

11:00am

Tea/Coffee Break

11:20am

PART TWO - NEGOTIATION & RISK ALLOCATION SIMULATION: Closing the Perfect Deal
What makes or breaks PPP partnerships?

The anatomy of successful PPP contracts with risk-sharing (allocation), performance metrics, and dispute clauses.
How to balance public accountability with private profit?
Practical risk-sharing mechanisms: force majeure, inflation, demand risk, and cost overrun clauses.
Planning for project closeout
Simulation: Government vs. Consortium negotiation - structure, argue, and finalize a deal.

Outcome: Participants understand how to close deals faster and protect long-term value.

PART THREE – FINANCING & PROJECT DELIVERY UNDER PRESSURE: From Tender to Execution

How do we deliver under real-world financial and market constraints?

Local vs. foreign financing: how inflation, interest rates, and currency risk reshape PPP deal-making.
Procurement challenges: best practices for transparent, efficient tendering enforcement.
Innovative solutions: milestone-based payments, blended finance, and outcome-linked contracts.
Integrating AI tools for risk prediction and digital procurement efficiency.

12:30pm

Lunch Break

13:30pm

PART FOUR – DELIVERING UNDER PRESSURE: From Performance Risk to Results-Driven Execution
How do we ensure projects stay on time, on budget, and on vision?

Designing performance-based contracts that reward delivery excellence and ESG compliance.
Using AI to track delivery progress, budget variance, and operational KPIs in real time.
ESG as a performance enabler integrating sustainability goals directly into project delivery milestones.
Case Simulation: “Delivery Under Pressure” your project faces financial delays, regulatory pushbacks, and ESG scrutiny. How do you respond, adapt, and communicate with stakeholders?

Outcome: Participants learn to manage performance risks through proactive monitoring, data-driven governance, and agile response systems.

CLOSING MODULE – THE PPP RESILIENCE ROADMAP 2030 - Turning Vision into Measurable Impact

Turning Vision into Measurable Impact

Key takeaways: how to make PPPs climate-resilient, socially inclusive, and digitally accountable.
Ensuring a full-lifecycle hands-on project management style.
Building a culture of accountability and partnership that outlasts contracts.
Reflection: What will define Saudi’s PPP leadership in the global landscape of Vision 2030?

15:30pm

Tea/Coffee Break

15:45pm

End of Forum

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Edgar Perez

Top Global AI Keynote Speaker

Jamie Hull

Motivational Speaker

Mark Thomas

Global Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Leader

H.E Ziad Alexandre Hayek

President of the World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP) & Co-Founder of HyperCycle.ai

Paul Norris

Managing Director - TRISKELION

Stephen Beatty

Infrastructure Strategist and PPP & Privatization Expert

Joerg Esser

Managing Director, Munich Airport International (MAI)

Mohammed Abdullah Alajaji

Global Institutions and Partnerships Executive Director at National Infrastructure Fund (Infra)

Rayan AlBakri

President of logistics at SAL - Saudi Logistic Services

Mohammed Khojah

Executive Director - ISTPs & ISWRs project Delivery at Saudi Water Partnership Company SWPC

Rami Karout

Senior Adviser, Middle East & North Africa International Road Transport Union IRU

Hashem Al Fawaz

Senior Vice President of Economic Affairs, Environment Fund (KSA)

AFTAB SINDH

Director Major Programs

Ahmed Al-Obaid

Strategic Advisor in Economic Policy, Investment Strategy & Public–Private Partnerships

Dr. Abhishek Saurav

Senior Economist, World Bank | Expert in Investment Climate Reform, Competitiveness & Growth Strategy

Dr. Ibrahim Mubarak Al Baalharith

Chief of Quality, Governance and Excellence Officer | SEHA Virtual Hospital and Innovation Enablement Center – Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia

Dr Ali Melibari

Program Director (PMO Consultant), Jeddah Municipality

Ibrahim Osta

Senior Economic Growth Director & Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International

Mohamed Hedi Mejai

Advisor to H.E The President, IsDB Group

Master Trainer

DAVID BAXTER

Senior PPP Advisor | ISRC | Chair, WAPPP North America

David Baxter is a globally recognized Public–Private Partnership (PPP) procurement expert, senior advisor, and thought leader with over 30 years of international experience supporting governments, development banks, and public institutions in the planning, procurement, and delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects. He is widely respected for his ability to translate PPP policy and complex procurement frameworks into practical, implementable solutions for the public sector.

Current Roles:

Senior Advisor, International Sustainable & Resilience Center (ISRC) – USA
Steering Committee Member & Chair, WAPPP North America Chapter
Former World Bank Consultant (2018–2021)

Global Experience:

Advised 40+ clients across Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas
Projects sponsored by World Bank, USAID, MCC, ADB, AfDB
Delivered PPP workshops and forums in Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Istanbul, Malaysia, Dubai.
Supported governments in strengthening PPP governance, attracting investment, and improving procurement standards

Expertise:

Structuring transparent, competitive, and bankable PPPs
Enhancing governance, risk management, and compliance in procurement
Developing ethical, resilient, and investor-ready infrastructure projects
Contributor to World Bank PPP Certification & Benchmarking Reports

What Our Participants Gain

By attending David Baxter’s workshop, participants will:

Master practical PPP strategies: Structure and implement bankable, transparent, and resilient projects.
Enhance governance and decision-making: Strengthen enabling environments, mitigate risks, and ensure ethical procurement.
Attract private investment & FDI: Learn how to design projects that appeal to investors and unlock funding.
Apply real-world, hands-on lessons: Gain practical insights from global case studies, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.
Build sustainable, resilient infrastructure: Deliver projects that are economically viable, socially responsible, and aligned with SDGs.

Supporting Partners

World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP)

The Kingdom PPP Transformation Forum and Awards is proudly supported by WAPPP, the global platform connecting PPP units, policymakers, investors, and infrastructure leaders across continents.

Visit Website

National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP)

The Kingdom PPP Transformation Forum and Awards is proudly supported by the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP), the Kingdom's official authority for privatization and PPP delivery under Saudi Vision 2030, established by Cabinet Resolution No. 355 as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Visit Website

List & Categories of Awards

1- Healthcare Transformation Partner of the Year
For pioneering PPP initiatives that expand access to quality healthcare infrastructure and services in alignment with Vision 2030.

2- Sustainable Housing & Urban Development PPP Award
For outstanding delivery of affordable, inclusive, and sustainable urban projects through PPP collaboration.

3- Transport & Mobility PPP Excellence Award
Recognizing innovation and efficiency in delivering large-scale transport projects, roads, metro, and airports that connect the Kingdom.

4- Tourism & Culture Infrastructure PPP Award
For exceptional contribution to tourism, culture, and entertainment projects that strengthen Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness.

5- Water & Utilities PPP Project of the Year
For driving resilience, innovation, and sustainability in desalination, wastewater, and utilities infrastructure.

6- Digital Infrastructure & Smart Governance PPP Award
For leadership in digitalization, smart infrastructure, and e-government partnerships enabling connected public services.

7- Education & Human Capital Development PPP Award

For innovative PPP initiatives that strengthen education infrastructure, vocational training, and research institutions while supporting Saudi Arabia’s long-term human capital development agenda.

List & Categories of Awards

1- Vision 2030 PPP Leadership Award

Honoring ministries or entities demonstrating strategic excellence and national impact through PPP delivery.

2- Excellence in PPP Financing & Investment Innovation

Recognizing institutions or financiers (public or private) advancing Islamic finance, blended funding, and de-risking mechanisms for PPPs.

3- Sustainability & ESG in PPP Implementation Award

For embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across project lifecycles.

List & Categories of Awards

1- PPP Visionary Leader of the Year

For outstanding strategic leadership in shaping and advancing PPP frameworks and governance in Saudi Arabia.

2- PPP Deal-Maker of the Year
For exceptional skill in structuring, negotiating, and closing high-impact PPP projects that drive transformation.

3- Outstanding Public-Private Collaboration Team Award
Recognizing a ministry, agency, or consortium demonstrating exemplary teamwork, transparency, and execution in PPP delivery.

Honorable Panel of Judges

David Baxter

Senior PPP Advisor | ISRC | Chair, WAPPP North America

H.E Ziad Alexandre Hayek

President of the World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP) & Co-Founder of HyperCycle.AI

Hashem Al Fawaz

Senior Vice President of Economic Affairs, Environment Fund (KSA)