The world’s most-attended technology conference, “LEAP,” its work and journey to cement its position as a global platform for technology and innovation. Following four successful editions held in Riyadh since 2022, it has become a major destination for technology sector leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world, Organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, and “Tahaluf”—a joint venture between the Federation, the global company “Informa,” and the Events Investment Fund.
Building on this momentum, the conference is now expanding beyond the Kingdom’s borders for the first time with its inaugural international edition, “LEAP East 2026," which is being hosted by Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from July 8 to 10, in partnership with the Hong Kong Government’s Innovation, Technology, and Industry Bureau, with the participation of a select group of experts, speakers, and global business leaders, alongside hundreds of exhibitors, startups, and investors, to discuss the future of technology and artificial intelligence, and showcase the latest innovations in fintech, smart cities, and deep tech.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tahaali, the conference organizer, Faisal Al-Khamisi, in his opening remarks, reviewed ”LEEP’s“ journey since its inception, noting that the first edition was launched from Riyadh at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was still imposing its reality on the world. He said: ”Many were asking: Why now? But we were certain that everyone was looking forward to an opportunity to connect, innovate, and shape the future together.“
Al-Khamisi emphasized that ”LEEP“ has transcended the boundaries of traditional events since its inception, saying: ”We didn’t just launch a tech event; we launched a movement that made a real impact,” noting that the conference has continued to grow since its inception to become the world’s most-attended tech event, adding, ”The real story isn’t measured by numbers, but by what those encounters and opportunities have created; it’s the entrepreneurs who found their first investors at LEAP, and the students who attended a tech presentation and decided to become the founders of tomorrow.“
Regarding the choice of Hong Kong to host the first international edition, Al-Khamisi explained that it is an exceptional city by all measures, a gateway to Asia, and a bridge connecting the world to one of the world’s leading forces in technological innovation, noting that it combines the ingredients for success—capital, infrastructure, innovation, and a thriving economy—in addition to its close partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that ”Lib East“ is not merely the announcement of a new edition, but a historic moment; For the first time, a Saudi exhibition brand is launching on the global stage. He concluded his remarks with a message to the audience: ”What we have built in Riyadh, we are sharing today with the world, and it is you who are building this bridge between the East and the West."
It is worth noting that "Lib Al-Sharq" aims to strengthen technical cooperation between the Middle East and Asia, support the entrepreneurship and tech investment ecosystem, and cement the Kingdom’s position as a global organizer of major tech events, and as an extension of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for developing the digital economy.
