Australia and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Mining Ties

Saudi–ANZUK Forum 2025: Building Global Pathways Under Vision 2030

Riyadh, October 22–23 — The Saudi–ANZUK Forum 2025 marked a defining chapter in international collaboration, bringing together leaders from Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom for two transformative days of dialogue, innovation, and connection.

Organised by Trademark Group of Companies in partnership with the Australian Saudi Business Council & Forum (ASBC/F), the Forum served as a living bridge between nations — a place where ideas, industries, and aspirations converged under the unifying ambition of Vision 2030.

Inside Riyadh’s buzzing venue, conversations echoed with optimism and intent. Ministers, mayors, innovators, and founders sat shoulder to shoulder — not as counterparts, but as co-designers of a shared future.

Day 1 – Conversations That Connected Nations

The opening day unfolded with ceremony and anticipation. Delegates arrived to the rhythm of new introductions and warm reunions — a reflection of how deeply Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Saudi Arabia are already intertwined through trade, education, and innovation.

The Forum was officially opened by Sam Jamsheedi, President of the Australian Saudi Business Council & Forum and Global chairman of Trademark Group, whose vision and determination have turned years of bilateral dialogue into tangible platforms of collaboration. His remarks were followed by a special video address from The Hon. Don Farrell, Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism, offering a forward-looking message of optimism about the future of Saudi–Australian relations.

Dignitaries including H.E. Miles Armitage, Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom; H.E. Charles Kingston, New Zealand Ambassador; and H.E. Rakan Bin Dohaish, Vice Minister of Health, joined in welcoming delegates to what would become two unforgettable days of exchange and partnership.

Building Bridges through Innovation and Education

The first series of sessions — Building Bridges: Advancing Education and Skills for a Connected Future — captured the essence of ANZUK. Speakers included Nashid Chowdhury from The University of Western Australia, Mayor Ned Mannoun of Liverpool City Council, Amen Zoabi, Co-Founder of Binah Group, and David Henry, CEO of Misk City, who shared insights into how Saudi Arabia is building the world’s first non-profit city centred on purpose and human development.

As one participant shared, “The forum was full of inspiring conversations, new connections, and world-class speakers. For many, it was the perfect first introduction to the Saudi market.”

In his keynote, Ned Mannoun reflected on Liverpool’s diversity as a driver of creativity — an idea that resonated deeply across borders. “It reminded me,” one delegate said, “that when perspectives mix, innovation multiplies.”

Shaping Industry and Trade

Further sessions delved into the engines of growth — Industrial Cities and Next-Gen Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Food Tech, and Innovation-Led Investment. Feroz Siddiqui from the Saudi Ministry of Investment described Vision 2030 as “an initiative led by symbiotic growth,” noting that the Kingdom’s infrastructure and policy ecosystem are built to reciprocate opportunity and accelerate shared prosperity.

Sam Griffiths, Australia’s Agricultural Counsellor to Saudi Arabia, reminded attendees that “food, culture, and trust already connect our regions through partnership.”

The discussion was elevated by Frank Forouzandeh, Founder of Modern X, who spoke about technology’s role in bridging creative industries and industrial design, and by former Australian Federal Ministers The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon and The Hon. Steven Ciobo, whose insights on innovation, trade, and strategic policy provided a powerful context for how Australia and Saudi Arabia can build mutually beneficial industrial partnerships.

By the close of Day 1, the conversations had moved seamlessly from panels to personal exchanges. The day concluded with a networking dinner at the Australian Embassy in Riyadh, where delegates celebrated a growing friendship between the nations. Over shared stories and Saudi hospitality, it became clear that ANZUK was more than a business forum — it was a celebration of connection.

Day 2 – Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact

The second day opened with a renewed sense of energy. Coffee cups clinked as delegates greeted familiar faces, ready for a line-up that would push conversations into action.

Innovation-Led Economic Growth

The Hon. Wyatt Roy, former Australian Minister for Innovation and now Head of Innovation at NEOM, delivered a keynote on how innovation-led growth is transforming economies. His address set the tone for the day: a call for agility, creativity, and courage in an era of rapid change.

Critical Minerals and Sustainable Supply Chains

From there, Laila Alhabsi of the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources took the stage with a keynote on Critical Minerals & Beyond – Securing Supply Chains. Her insights underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing role in the global resource ecosystem — one grounded in transparency, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

Finance, Investment, and Expansion

The following panel, Funding the Future, brought together Anthony Cripps of SAB and Asad Khan of Saudi National Bank. Together they explored how strategic financing models can fuel cross-border partnerships, followed by a keynote from Nicolas Hanna of Servcorp on Building a Premier Presence in Saudi Arabia and Beyond.

Servcorp’s story — from 35 regional locations to 16 within the Kingdom — illustrated how infrastructure and service excellence empower international businesses to thrive.

Empowering Women in Business

A defining moment came with the panel Empowering Women in Business: Shaping the Future of Vision 2030, featuring Kim Ralston, Australian Deputy Head of Mission; Gönül Serbest, Commissioner for Victoria; and Shana Jamsheedi, CTO of UniVerse TDAJ. Their dialogue echoed the broader national transformation taking place across Saudi Arabia — one where women are no longer participants but key architects of progress.

That same day, the Forum proudly announced the launch of the Australian Women in Business Association (AWIBA) Saudi Chapter — a milestone that symbolised collaboration, mentorship, and shared empowerment.

From Garage to Global – The Startup Mindset

In the Garage to Global sessions, speakers including Houssam Abiad, Dr Mohammed Alsawwaf, Abdullah Alghamdi, and Mohamed Taha explored how Saudi Arabia is moving from “buyer” to “builder.”

As Abiad put it, “The old thesis — Europe invents, the US commercialises, and Saudi buys — is evolving. Saudi now builds.” His message to Australian founders was clear: come to Saudi to co-build, not just to sell.

These conversations reflected a growing consensus: that innovation must be grounded in collaboration, operational excellence, and shared market access.

Logistics, AI, and Sustainability

Next came Building Resilient and Adaptive Supply Chains, moderated by Dr Abdullah Alabdulkarim of the Saudi Logistics Academy and featuring Matt Eryurek of KTL Australia. The discussion emphasised how people, technology, and partnerships together shape the logistics ecosystems of tomorrow.

This was followed by a Fireside Chat on AI and Sustainability with Dr Boris Guennewig, who described Vision 2030 as “the nation-building engine room of KSA.” He painted a picture of transformation through technology — where data becomes decision, and sustainability becomes measurable impact.

Health Partnerships and Closing Reflections

The final panel, Health Partnerships – Building the Future of Healthcare, brought the conversation full circle. Moderated by Faisal Abdulhadi of Austrade, it explored how innovation, real estate, and investment intersect to create healthier, more connected communities.

As one participant reflected, “The Forum was a celebration of connection — you could truly feel the bonds between our nations”.

With closing remarks from organisers and heartfelt thanks to sponsors, the event ended not with a conclusion, but with a beginning — a shared sense that something larger had been set in motion.

Key Announcements and Achievements

Launch of the Australian Women in Business Association (AWIBA) Saudi Chapter, marking a milestone in women’s empowerment under Vision 2030.

New Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between participating companies and Saudi entities, reflecting confidence in the Kingdom’s transformation and the growing strength of bilateral relations. Among them, a strategic MOU between Trademark Group of Companies and Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) stood out as a key milestone in enhancing financial and trade cooperation between Australia and Saudi Arabia. The agreement aims to strengthen cross-border investment, promote sustainable development, and create new pathways for collaboration in finance, technology, and innovation — directly supporting the objectives of Vision 2030.

Sponsors and Knowledge Partners:
- Servcorp – Empowering businesses to establish a global presence.
- SAB – At the forefront of banking innovation and regional growth.
- The University of Western Australia (UWA) – Knowledge Partner advancing education and research collaboration.
- Fade Fit – Promoting wellness and healthy living as a core value of sustainable progress.

Each partnership underscored a shared commitment to innovation, investment, and inclusion — principles at the heart of the ANZUK vision.

Themes That Defined ANZUK 2025

Innovation & Startup Growth: The Forum’s “Garage to Global” dialogue reframed how entrepreneurs and investors view Saudi Arabia — not as an endpoint, but as a launchpad for scalable, global ventures.

Health Partnerships: From digital infrastructure to hospital design, healthcare emerged as a frontier where innovation and humanity converge.

Women in Business: The AWIBA Saudi Chapter launch marked a shift from representation to leadership, opening pathways for women entrepreneurs and executives across both nations.

AI & Sustainability: Experts like Dr Boris Guennewig connected artificial intelligence to environmental impact, showing how technology can accelerate carbon neutrality and social inclusion.

Logistics & Supply Chains: Panels led by industry figures such as Matt Eryurek and Dr Alabdulkarim spotlighted how adaptability and capability-building are redefining global trade resilience.

Together, these themes formed a mosaic of transformation — not theoretical, but tangible and immediate.

Reflections — Beyond Borders, Toward a Shared Future

In the words of one delegate, “It wasn’t just cities rising from sand — it was nations bridging dreams and destiny.”

The energy of the Saudi–ANZUK Forum was more than optimism; it was conviction. Attendees left with a sense of standing “at the edge of history,” witnessing the next chapter of global collaboration unfold in real time.

For two days in Riyadh, the world saw a glimpse of the Kingdom’s future — a future being built together.

Appendix – Speakers and Partners

Day 1 Highlights

Sam Jamsheedi – President, ASBC/F; CEO, Trademark Group of Companies
The Hon. Don Farrell – Minister for Trade and Tourism, Australia (Video Address)
H.E. Miles Armitage – Australian Ambassador to KSA
H.E. Charles Kingston – New Zealand Ambassador to KSA
H.E. Rakan Bin Dohaish – Vice Minister of Health, KSA
Feroz Siddiqui – Ministry of Investment, KSA
Nashid Chowdhury – University of Western Australia
Mayor Ned Mannoun – Liverpool City Council
David Henry – Misk City
The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon & The Hon. Steven Ciobo – Former Australian Federal Ministers
Frank Forouzandeh – Modern X

Day 2 Highlights

The Hon. Wyatt Roy – NEOM; Former Australian Minister for Innovation
Laila Alhabsi – Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, KSA
Anthony Cripps – SAB
Asad Khan – Saudi National Bank
Nicolas Hanna – Servcorp
Kim Ralston, Gönül Serbest, Beck Howe– Empowering Women in Business Panel
Houssam Abiad, Dr Mohammed Alsawwaf, Abdullah Alghamdi, Mohamed Taha – Startup Growth Panel
Matt Eryurek, Dr Abdullah Alabdulkarim, Justin Sloan – Logistics Panel
Dr Boris Guennewig – AI & Sustainability Fireside Chat
Faisal Abdulhadi, Mohsen Al Muslimani, Fayez Al Harbi – Health Partnerships Panel