RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City and RLC Global Forum have announced a strategic partnership, reinforcing the Saudi capital's position as a global platform for retail leadership, investment, and economic transformation.
Under the partnership, the RCRC will serve as title partner and a principal public-sector partner, supporting alignment between the RLC Global Forum’s agenda and Riyadh’s development priorities, while bringing global perspectives in line with Saudi Arabia’s transformation agenda.
“Retail is an important enabler of Riyadh’s economic and urban future,” said Martyn Davies, head of city excellence at the RCRC.
“This partnership reflects our focus on building globally competitive systems that support investment, productivity, and long-term city performance in line with the objectives of Vision 2030,” he added
“Riyadh has emerged as one of the most consequential cities globally for the future of retail, lifestyle, and urban innovation,” said Panos Linardos, chairman of RLC Global Forum.
“Our partnership with the RCRC ensures that the forum elevates global discourse while directly advancing the Kingdom’s transformation agenda,” added Linardos.
The Fashion Commission and RLC Global Forum have also announced a strategic collaboration that will bring together leading figures from the fashion, retail, investment, and policymaking sectors in Riyadh, reinforcing the city’s position as a global hub for dialogue and for shaping the future of the fashion and retail industries.
The forum will connect leaders from fashion houses, retail groups, investment institutions, and government entities, fostering dialogue that links creativity with economic growth and supports the sector’s long-term development.
Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, said: “Fashion today is deeply connected to global culture, capital, and influence.
“This collaboration creates a space for meaningful dialogue between international leaders and the wider fashion ecosystem.
“It reflects our commitment to building a globally engaged, future focused fashion sector that is open, connected, and ready for long-term growth.”
The RLC Global Forum is taking place on February 3 and 4 at the Fairmont Riyadh under the strategic theme “Growth Crossroads.”
The 2026 forum will explore six defining themes that capture the transformation reshaping global trade, consumption, and leadership: Growth in a Reordered World, AI and the Power of Multipliers, Global South as Growth Engine, Experience as Growth Infrastructure, Future Consumer Order, and Leadership Beyond Resilience.
The forum is designed as an exclusive, invitation-only experience and will bring together more than 2,000 global leaders, policymakers, and innovators from over 40 countries to define the next chapter of growth across retail, consumer, and lifestyle industries.
The forum will convene leaders from across the public and private sectors, reflecting the forum’s role as a trusted platform for senior-level engagement at the intersection of policy, investment, and industry leadership.
Hamat, a leading visionary shaping the Kingdom’s modern retail landscape, and Apparel Group, a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate, have confirmed their role as headline partners.
Abdullah Al Tamimi, CEO of Hamat, said: “Retail is entering a new phase where growth is driven by relevance, resilience, and real economic value. Vision 2030 has positioned retail and lifestyle destinations as core drivers of development in Saudi Arabia, and at Hamat we are responding by developing and operating destinations built on genuine demand and strong commercial fundamentals.
“Our strength goes beyond the destinations we create, extending to our team and the way we do business. We look forward to engaging with industry leaders at the RLC Global Forum and contributing to the next chapter of retail.”
Apparel Group’s CEO, Neeraj Teckchandani said: “Participating in the 2026 RLC Global Forum reflects our belief in open dialogue, strategic collaboration, and long-term thinking. Apparel Group continues to evolve alongside the markets we operate in, and this forum provides a meaningful platform to engage with leaders shaping what comes next for global retail.”
This year’s programs include a conference in the plenary hall, hybrid hall with leading companies showcasing their latest products, strategic workshops designed to provide critical learning, roundtables, stage tracks with strategic sessions focused on critical topics, providing deep dives into specific categories and industry trends, RLC Lifetime Achievement Awards for key industry leaders, and deal signings where partnerships and agreements will be sealed, showcasing collaboration and strategic growth within the industry.
