Saudi Arabia’s real estate developer Diriyah Company has marked its inaugural participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos this week by taking a pivotal role in a high-level discussion on the urgent need for innovative solutions to large-scale contemporary urban development globally. Hosted by the Saudi House, the venue representing Saudi Arabia’s involvement at WEF, prominent international stakeholders and decision-makers participated in a session titled “New Frontier to Contemporary Urban Development,” featuring Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo.
Alongside panelists Rami Alturki, managing director and Executive Committee chairman of Nesma & Partners, and Aparna Bawa, COO of Zoom, the WEF-accredited session explored how visionary urban planning, technology integration, collaborative strategies, and investment opportunities can redefine the future of cities. Mr. Inzerillo was among a distinguished group of experts engaging in dynamic discussions aimed at transforming historic sites into vibrant, people-centric urban hubs, drawing inspiration from Diriyah, The City of Earth, located on the outskirts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Panelists explored the essential role of cross-industry partnerships, unique investment opportunities, and smart technologies in developing cities that are sustainable, inclusive, and appealing to investors, businesses, and residents.
Read more: Diriyah Company launches Raffles Residences Diriyah, promoting world-class luxury living
A significant milestone
This marks the first time Diriyah Company has participated in the WEF, following its accreditation in 2024 as an Associate Partner. Reflecting on their presence in Davos, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo stated: “We are enormously proud to be a participant in the world’s biggest annual gathering of the global economic and political community. It is giving us an unrivalled opportunity to share our story and the opportunities Diriyah has to offer to the world.”
“We are indebted to His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Arabia’s minister of Foreign Affairs and the head of the Kingdom’s delegation at WEF, and to His Excellency Khalid AlFalih, the Kingdom’s minister of Investment, for their support and guidance in making this happen. We are privileged to join so many Ministries and other leading organizations hosting global stakeholders at Saudi House. The high-powered event provided insights into how new smart development techniques and processes can accelerate the construction and delivery of assets in highly complex and interconnected master plans like ours at Diriyah, emphasizing the crucial role that international investment plays in achieving those objectives.”
Addressing global urban challenges
The event hosted at the Saudi House also examined innovative urban development models, identifying solutions for addressing global challenges in urbanization and enhancing quality of life while highlighting unique investment opportunities within that ecosystem.
Alturki added: “One of our goals from this timely and highly relevant discussion was to demonstrate the importance of collaboration between developers and contracting companies in accelerating urban development. By working together to integrate innovative technologies and sustainable practices, we are not just building infrastructure—we are creating thriving communities aligned with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030. At Nesma & Partners, we are proud to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s cities alongside forward-thinking partners like Diriyah Company.”
Participants in the session also discussed how robust private-public sector partnerships and shared goals are essential in constructing the human-centric cities of tomorrow—a debate that aligns with the WEF 2025 theme of “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.”
Engaging with global stakeholders
This was one of two events involving Diriyah Company at Saudi House. The first featured Diriyah Company Chief of Strategic Management, Talal Kensara, in a fireside chat discussing the diverse investment opportunities available to global investors within this $63.2 billion Public Investment Fund-backed giga project. Moreover, throughout WEF, senior company executives participated in various high-profile networking events to connect with global stakeholders.
Furthermore, Diriyah is one of Saudi Arabia’s five high-profile giga projects and the only urban-focused development creating a new contemporary city, embracing 300 years of history and heritage in the birthplace of the modern Saudi state. Also, it is designed to host 100,000 residents, feature over 40 luxury hotels, provide office space for tens of thousands, and include arts and cultural districts, world-class sports facilities, and hundreds of retail outlets. As a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, Diriyah is set to welcome 50 million visits by 2030, contributing $18.6 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP.
