With the participation of a number of ministers, senior officials, and a select group of leading thought leaders from the Kingdom, the Gulf, and around the world, the Global Entrepreneurship Forum (GEF) kicks off today, Tuesday, in Riyadh. The event is organized by the Centennial Fund under the theme “Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship” to discuss viable solutions to a diverse range of social issues—both locally and globally—through entrepreneurship.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi, Director General of the Centennial Fund and Secretary General of the Award, explained that the Global Entrepreneurship Forum has become an annual global event that brings together under one roof Saudi, Gulf, and international leaders in the field of entrepreneurship to share visions, exchange best practices, and reveal the latest trends and innovations in the global entrepreneurial community. He added that entrepreneurship in the Kingdom has received significant attention from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz —may God protect him—as Riyadh has become a global hub and the capital of entrepreneurship.

It is worth noting that the Centennial Fund launched the Global Entrepreneurship Forum initiative in 2014 as an annual extension of the Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Global Entrepreneurship Award, noting that it has become a global event attended by decision-makers and thought leaders in entrepreneurship from the Kingdom, the Gulf region, and around the world. Al-Mutairi emphasized that the Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Global Entrepreneurship Award has become a source of motivation and encouragement for entrepreneurship and represents an important and valuable addition through the Centennial Fund’s efforts to honor young people of both genders as individuals with noble goals and a mission that commandsrespect and appreciation from all.