Last month, it was my pleasure to give the opening address at the Inside Saudi Club’s 2026 Summit in London.

This exclusive gathering brought together an exceptional group of over 150 guests, from leaders delivering the extraordinary transformation of Saudi Arabia under Saudi Vision 2030; to senior investment professionals and family office principals collectively representing multiple trillions of dollars of assets under management and supervision; as well as senior executives from some of the world’s most respected corporations and institutions.

Most of the attendees were from outside Saudi Arabia and the GCC, with some travelling considerable distances to be part of our exclusive event and gain a better understanding of the most compelling economic transformation taking place in the world today – Saudi Arabia’s remarkable journey over the last decade since the launch of Vision 2030.

The Summit was centred around a simple but powerful theme: One Unstoppable Vision. Through a series of high-level dialogues and presentations, guests explored some of the key opportunities in an economy that has demonstrated resilience through changing global conditions, whilst simultaneously pursuing one of the most ambitious programmes of economic and social transformation of our time.

What makes Saudi Arabia’s story particularly attractive is not simply the scale of the ambition, but the consistency of execution behind it. Vision 2030 has moved beyond aspiration and into delivery. New industries are emerging, capital markets are deepening, private sector participation is expanding, entire sectors are being reimagined, and perhaps most importantly, the Kingdom's commitment to its future remains unwavering.

At Gulf International Bank (GIB), we have had the privilege of participating in Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress, not simply as observers, but as active partners. This year, GIB marks its 50th year as a GCC regional pioneer and over 25 years in the Saudi market, where we have evolved from a branch network into a locally incorporated bank. As a Saudi bank with a GCC and international platform, GIB has collaborated with government entities, sovereign-related organisations, corporates, entrepreneurs, and investors to help mobilise the capital that underpins the Kingdom’s pivotal economic trajectory.

Our role extends well beyond traditional lending. Through our wholesale banking, treasury transaction banking, investment banking, and asset management capabilities, we help connect ambitious projects and businesses with the financing, liquidity, advisory expertise, and capital market access which are required to help them grow. Whether supporting infrastructure or industrial development, facilitating cross-border trade and investment flows, arranging Sukuk and bond issuances, advising on landmark capital market transactions, or helping international investors access opportunities in the Kingdom, our commitment remains the same: to serve as a trusted financial partner for the delivery of Vision 2030.

GIB’s close alignment with Saudi Arabia’s ambitions is both incredibly exciting and rewarding – and the journey continues to evolve. As the Kingdom’s capital markets deepen, private sector participation expands, and international investors and institutions engage with the Kingdom at unprecedented levels, we believe GIB remains uniquely positioned to support the Vision 2030 agenda into its next phase.

This is one of the reasons why our partnership with Inside Saudi is so important. This unique multimedia platform is dedicated to bridging Saudi Arabia's economic vision with global business and finance through telling the story of the Kingdom's remarkable progress through people, companies, projects, and events driving the change. Inside Saudi's authoritative, authentic, and constructive voice advances the reality of Vision 2030 in a global media environment where the Kingdom is not always fully understood and is sometimes misrepresented.

Equally important is the role of the Inside Saudi Club in bridging that relationship gap. By creating a trusted platform where global investors, business leaders, and Saudi institutions can engage directly, it enables meaningful dialogue, stronger relationships, and the exchange of ideas. It creates opportunities for capital, expertise and ambition to come together in ways that generate long-term value for all involved.

In many respects, this mission complements GIB's own purpose. We too seek to connect markets, institutions, and opportunities, and we too believe that meaningful progress is built on trust, understanding, and partnership. The Inside Saudi Club’s 2026 Summit brought together individuals who are not content with simply observing or benefitting from change, but who have desire and ability to shape it, and my team and I at GIB are proud to have been a part of it all.

Abdulaziz Al-Helaissi has been Group CEO of Gulf International Bank since 2016. He has over 35 years of banking and regulatory experience, and before joining GIB served as Deputy Governor for Supervision at the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), where he was responsible for oversight of the banking and insurance sectors, finance companies and consumer protection. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership positions at J.P. Morgan Chase and Saudi British Bank (SABB).