The World Bank Group is participating in the Future Minerals Forum 2026 through a series of high-level public engagements focused on global collaboration for metals and minerals. Across plenary sessions, leadership roundtables, and ministerial discussions, World Bank Group representatives will share perspectives on our approach to minerals and metals, supply chains, partnerships, development priorities, and standards. 

Key engagements include a keynote address by Valerie Levkov, World Bank Group Vice President for Infrastructure, participation in ministerial and leadership roundtables, and a high-level panel discussion on the main stage.  

Through its participation, the WBG will underscore our role as a partner in enabling responsible, inclusive, and development-oriented mineral sector growth. Participation does not imply endorsement of sponsors or specific investments.

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

10:40 – 10:50 

Keynote Address: World Bank Group Infrastructure & Minerals Strategy

Speaker: Valerie Levkov, Vice President for Infrastructure, World Bank Group

Venue: Kingdom Center, Riyadh

 

11:15 – 11:30 
Governmental Discussion: G20 Report, Initiatives & the Future Minerals Framework

Speaker: Namrata Thapar, Sr. Manager, Minerals and Metals, Solutions & Impact

Focus: Infrastructure funding pathways in priority mineral corridors and capacity-building collaboration

 

12:00 – 13:00 
FMF Leadership Roundtable: Capital Matters – Breaking Poor Project Definition to Restore Capital

Speaker: Ekaterina Autet, Senior Investment Officer / Global Infrastructure, Metals & Mining

Venue: GCC Room

 

14:00 – 15:00 
Press Conference: Infrastructure Funding for Critical Minerals


 

Wednesday, 14 January 2026

10:00 – 10:40 
High-Level Panel Discussion
A society grows when people plant trees in whose shade they will not sit: Collaboration on mineral supply for global development

Panelists:

  • H.E. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabia

  • James Danly, Deputy Secretary of Energy, United States

  • Jianfeng Liu, Chairman & Chief Investment Officer, CMOC

  • Gustavo Pimenta, Chief Executive Officer, Vale

  • Valerie Levkov, Vice President for Infrastructure, World Bank Group

 

10:00 – 11:00 
Leadership Roundtable: Latin America

Speaker: Ignacio de Calonje, Chief Investment Officer, Global Energy and Metals & Mining, International Finance Corporation

 

11:30 – 12:30 
FMF Leadership Roundtable: Africa – Unlocking Infrastructure Funding for Copper-Belt Production

Speaker: Robert Schlotterer, Manager, Metals and Minerals Global Department, World Bank Group


 

Thursday, 15 January 2026

14:30-15:30 
FMF Leadership Roundtable: Getting to How – Executing on Ambitions

Speaker: Robert Schlotterer, Manager, Metals and Minerals Global Department, World Bank Group