Saudi Arabia drops Oct. 26 in-person FII summit

Saudi Arabia ruled out holding the Future Investment Initiative in person on Oct. 26 in Riyadh, the New York Post reported on Monday, citing reports including the Wall Street Journal.

The cancellation of the in-person format, seven days before the scheduled opening, threatens a marquee forum for foreign capital after reported Houthi missile strikes sharpened security concerns for banks and executives.

Event organizers dropped the physical gathering on Monday, according to the report. A decision on whether to postpone the conference was expected by Tuesday; the alternative under discussion was an online format.

The report said JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup bankers had already started canceling meetings over security concerns. Teams for JPMorgan Chief Executive Jamie Dimon and Citigroup Chief Executive Jane Fraser were debating whether to travel, according to the report.

FII has become a flagship Saudi investment platform tied to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s effort to draw foreign capital. The New York Post report said the disruption adds another constraint as the confrontation with the Houthis weighs on Saudi finances.

Atlas360 reported on Oct. 18 that Riyadh mandated remote work for major firms following Houthi attacks, and that Saudi forces intercepted Houthi drones near the border.

It was not clear from the report whether the event would be postponed or moved online, or how many participants had canceled travel. The next stated step is the organizers’ decision expected by Tuesday.

Source: news report, New York Post, Oct. 19, 2026