From Riyadh to the Riviera, Saudi Arabia is once again bringing its real estate ambitions to the global stage. When Invest Saudi returns to MIPIM in Cannes from 9–14 March 2026, it will do so at a defining moment in the Kingdom’s transformation. Ten years after the launch of Vision 2030, and just months after the implementation of a landmark foreign ownership law, Saudi Arabia is signalling a decisive shift: from opportunity-driven growth to structured global partnership.
A structural shift in property ownership
The centrepiece of Invest Saudi’s presence at MIPIM 2026 is the Kingdom’s new foreign ownership law, which came into effect earlier this year. For the first time, non-Saudi companies and individuals can purchase residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural assets in designated zones.
This reform is widely viewed as a gamechanger. It repositions Saudi Arabia from a largely domestic property market to a globally accessible investment destination. For international investors, family offices and institutional funds, the shift is both symbolic and practical: ownership structures are clearer, regulatory frameworks are maturing, and long-term participation is actively encouraged.
A decade of Vision 2030 momentum
MIPIM 2026 also coincides with ten years of progress under Vision 2030. Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has moved from blueprint to execution across tourism, infrastructure, urban regeneration and mega-development.
Invest Saudi will be joined in Cannes by key government entities and projects including the Ministry of Investment, the Real Estate General Authority, Expo 2030, Diriyah Company, King Salman Park, New Murabba, Soudah Development, Remat Al-Riyadh Development Company, Smart Accommodation for Residential Complexes Company and Premium Residency.
Together, they represent billions of dollars’ worth of investment opportunities spanning mixed-use urban districts, hospitality, infrastructure, residential communities and smart city ecosystems.
Expo 2030 and World Cup 2034: catalysts for capital
Global mega-events are accelerating this trajectory. Riyadh Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 are not merely headline events; they are long-term urban and infrastructure catalysts.
A dedicated session on Riyadh Expo 2030 will take place during the MIPIM Conference programme, followed by a Middle East Focus afternoon exploring capital flows, city-building strategies and mega-project development. Invest Saudi will also host daily “Saudi Talks” at Pavilion C14b, offering open-access seminars and panel discussions for delegates seeking deeper insight into the Kingdom’s evolving real estate landscape.
Sustainability and smart infrastructure
In line with MIPIM’s net-zero focus, Saudi Arabia will highlight its approach to sustainable development and climate resilience. Major projects now incorporate renewable energy integration, low-carbon design principles and formal ESG frameworks.
At the same time, the Kingdom continues to invest heavily in digital infrastructure — from data centres and AI integration to smart city platforms — positioning its new districts as future-ready environments rather than traditional urban extensions.
From showcase to partnership
Invest Saudi’s presence at MIPIM is no longer about introduction. It is about consolidation. With pavilions at C20 and C14b, the Kingdom returns to Cannes not only to showcase opportunity, but to forge long-term relationships. As regulatory reforms deepen and ownership frameworks evolve, Saudi Arabia is entering what many observers describe as a new era — one defined less by ambition alone and more by structured, global partnership.
For investors walking the Croisette this March, the message from Riyadh is clear: participation in the Kingdom’s future is no longer theoretical. It is tangible, regulated and open.
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Photo top of page: Invest Saudi
