Embracing Disruption and Searching for Resilient Futures

Registration

Networking Breakfast

Welcome Remarks

●    Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, President, Oman Investment Authority 
●    Obaid Amrane, Chair, IFSWF 

Keynote Address

Investing in a Dynamic Policy Environment

In an era characterised by escalating fractures in geopolitical and geoeconomic structures, how can IFSWF members ensure success? The global macroeconomy and international capital markets have been under duress since 2008, and the pandemic has plunged them into a period of unparalleled uncertainty. Years of consistent policymaking and globalisation have been disrupted, ushering in a new phase of global policy and multilateralism. Technology, demographics, green economics, and investments in space and blue economies are adding complexity to the responsibilities of sovereign wealth funds. As they navigate through unpredictability and confront unforeseen challenges, their preparedness for uncertainty is put to the test.

This panel discussion aims to explore how they are adapting to these changes and will delve into the lessons learned in coping with a dynamic policy environment and strategies for building portfolio resilience amidst these shifts. The discussion will also highlight emerging0000 opportunities in this new landscape.
 

Coffee Break

Keynote Address

From Fossil to Future: How Can the Energy Transition Influence the Investment Landscape for Developing Economies

How are IFSWF members from fossil fuel-producing countries, particularly those in the Gulf Cooperation Council, leveraging their revenues from non-renewable resources to pave the way towards a low-carbon future? Are they succeeding? 

This session will delve into the pivotal role that IFSWF members can play in this transition. The session will discuss how they can bolster and evolve local economies, facilitating their shift from brown to green. The conversation will also encompass how IFSWF members can foster early-stage green technologies to establish market leaders and ensure they can attract capital from their peers and other private sector investors, both locally and internationally. This session aims to shed light on the strategies and implications of this energy transition for developing economies.
 

Fireside Chat: What could the outcome of the US Presidential Election mean for sovereign investors? 

Lunch

The Rising Importance of Enhancing Governance for Sovereign Wealth Funds

Long-Term Governance Tools for Sovereign Wealth Funds

Tour of Old Muscat, the Al Alam Palace

Informal Dinner at Mirani Fort

Dinner Presentation

Networking Breakfast

IFSWF Annual General Meeting & Group Photo

IFSWF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS ONLY

Coffee Break

Parallel Session A: Sovereign Wealth Funds and New Opportunities in AI

IFSWF members are increasingly exploring investment opportunities in AI, which is purported to fundamentally transforms the global economy and alter market dynamics.  The session will explore how IFSWF members can go about investing in AI-based technologies in a responsible way.  
 

Parallel Session B: How Supply Chains are Adapting in a Multipolar World 

The session will explore how the increasing diversification of supply chains is reshaping global manufacturing and shipping landscapes. It will discuss the emergence of “connector countries” such as Indonesia, Morocco, Poland, Mexico, and Vietnam and their pivotal role in the diversification of supply chains. The session will also examine the evolving shipping patterns and the rising uncertainty in key areas like Panama and the Red Sea. In a world where trade barriers are on the rise, the session will discuss strategies for companies to bolster the resilience of their supply chains. This session promises to provide valuable insights for anyone interested in the complexities and future trends of global supply chains.

Parallel Session C: Is Traditional Asset Allocation Broken?

Is traditional asset allocation broken? New structural forces of conflict, increasing geopolitical tensions, higher inflation, and interest rates are challenging many of the assumptions underpinning the way investors have generated returns over the last three decades. IFSWF members are asking questions about traditional asset allocation strategies as asset class correlations emerge. In this session, we will discuss new approaches to asset allocation, considering macroeconomic factors in asset allocation decisions, the challenges and opportunities of implementing a total portfolio approach, as well as leveraging new techniques and advances in computing power to tackle large-scale systematic portfolio optimisation problems for sovereign wealth funds.

Parallel Session D: The Opportunities of Green Hydrogen

As global energy transition programmes continue to gain traction, hydrogen has secured its place in the international spotlight as an important contributor to reducing carbon emissions. This nascent industry provides exciting new investment opportunities across the value chain, from production with renewable power through electrolysis or from natural gas with carbon capture, utilisation and storage to its global and local distribution and use. In this session, we will discuss the myriad opportunities for long-term investors, like sovereign wealth funds, in this exciting new sector.
 

Lunch

Parallel Session E: Coinvesting and Cofinancing Frameworks for Sovereign Wealth Funds

In the dynamic landscape of global investments, IFSWF members are increasingly adopting coinvesting and cofinancing frameworks to enhance returns, diversify risks, and achieve strategic objectives. These collaborative investment strategies enable them to pool resources with like-minded partners, leverage expertise, and access larger, more complex opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach. By aligning interests and sharing insights, coinvesting and cofinancing arrangements offer a pathway to sustainable growth and long-term value creation for emerging economies.

Parallel Session F: Navigating the Final Frontier: Sovereign Wealth Funds in the Space Sector

The space sector is undergoing a renaissance, with breakthroughs in technology propelling new developments and opening unprecedented investment opportunities. From satellite communications to rare earth mining and space tourism, the industry's potential is vast and varied. However, it also faces unique regulatory challenges as nations and private entities navigate a complex international landscape. Sovereign wealth funds are well-positioned to play a pivotal role in this dynamic sector by providing capital, fostering innovation, and shaping the regulatory frameworks that will ensure the sustainable and responsible use of outer space resources.
 

Coffee Break

Synthesising Annual Meeting: Insights for the Future

This closing session will encapsulate the insights and discussions from our previous sessions, weaving them into a comprehensive narrative. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what we’ve learned, identify key takeaways, and discuss how we can apply these insights moving forward.
 

Tour of Royal Opera House
Opera Performance

Gala Dinner