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Like clockwork, former Miami Mayor and Saudi Arabia frequent flyer Francis Suarez will speak at the Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund conference in Miami next week.
The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, launched by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), returns to Faena Hotel and Forum in Miami Beach, March 25-27, for the FII Priority “Capital in Motion” Summit. It will be the fourth edition of the annual Miami conference, whose speakers over the years have included President Donald Trump, billionaire Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, and Inter Miami CF managing owner Jorge Mas.
“Under the theme ‘Capital in Motion,’ this summit will explore how capital must move, adapt, and lead in a rapidly fragmenting world, and how investment, technology, and policy can unlock sustainable and inclusive growth, with a strong focus on Latin America and the Americas at the center of global transformation,” a press release reads. “As Miami continues to solidify its position as the business and financial gateway to Latin America, the city provides a strategic platform for shaping cross-border capital flows and regional opportunity.
Suarez, who helped bring the Saudi investment fund’s FII Summit to Miami in 2023, will make his fourth consecutive appearance at the annual conference but his first since leaving office. A social media post listing Suarez’s participation identifies him as “of counsel” at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, which has represented the PIF. Earlier this month, Saurez announced that he was appointed president of Alpha Wave, a Miami-based asset management company.
Over the years, Suarez has helped bring press and legitimacy to the kingdom’s global investment efforts as it tries to whitewash its record of human rights abuses. The PIF has been at the center of U.S. Senate probes over its business dealings and expanding influence in the U.S.
At last year’s summit, then-Mayor Suarez announced the opening of a new Saudi investment office in the Magic City alongside the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S., H.R.H. Reema Bandar Al-Saud, and the kingdom’s minister of investment, H.E. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih. It is unclear when or where the office will officially open.
“I was honored to announce that the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority is opening its first-ever Invest Saudi office right here in Miami,” Suarez wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, following the announcement. “My participation has always been about championing Miami’s success and I’m excited to highlight the incredible opportunities our city offers. @FIIKSA.”
Donald Trump Jr., U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East; Steve Witkoff; Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner; White House science and technology adviser Michael Kratsios; and several Saudi Arabian officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s right-hand man Yasir, are scheduled to speak at this year’s conference.
