利雅得：据两位知情人士透露，沙特阿拉伯计划将其旗舰投资会议改为线上线下混合模式，允许高管远程参会。此前，周末对利雅得机场的致命袭击促使人们重新评估前往该王国的出行安排。
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia plans to make its flagship investment conference a hybrid event, giving executives the option to tune in remotely, after deadly weekend attacks on Riyadh airport prompted a rethink of travel to the kingdom, said two people familiar with the matter. Some participants were still expected to fly in and could land at airstrips outside Riyadh, or even in neighbouring Gulf states, and then drive to the capital to attend the Future Investment Initiative scheduled for later this month, said one of the people.
其中一位人士称，部分与会者仍预计将乘飞机抵达，他们可能会降落在利雅得以外的机场，甚至邻近的海湾国家，然后再驾车前往首都，参加定于本月晚些时候举行的未来投资倡议（FII）会议。沙特政府媒体办公室尚未立即回应置评请求。
The Saudi government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier this month organisers said the event would go ahead despite missile attacks in the kingdom.
本月早些时候，主办方曾表示，尽管沙特境内遭受导弹袭击，该活动仍会如期举行。
Asked for comment, an FII media representative pointed Reuters to a statement from the CEO and chairman of the FII Institute sent before Saturday's attacks.
当被问及此事时，未来投资倡议的一位媒体代表向路透社转发了FII研究所首席执行官兼主席在周六袭击发生前发布的一份声明。
"As we prepare to welcome thousands of delegates to Riyadh for the exceptional 10th edition of the Future Investment Initiative, their safety and well-being remain our highest priority," said CEO Maha Al Saud and Richard Attias, chairman of the executive committee.
首席执行官玛哈·阿勒沙特和执行委员会主席理查德·阿蒂亚斯在声明中表示：“在筹备迎接数千名代表前来利雅得参加意义非凡的第十届未来投资倡议之际，他们的安全与福祉始终是我们的首要任务。”“沙漠中的达沃斯”周一，多位石油行业巨头退出了某国际会议，而混合模式将允许更多参与者加入。
'DAVOS IN THE DESERT' Major oil bosses dropped out of an international conference on Monday and a hybrid model would allow for more participants to take part.
此举表明，沙特阿拉伯正努力维持其吸引全球投资的势头，尽管与胡塞武装的战争不断升级，给其将利雅得打造为全球活动中心的计划带来了挑战。沙特一直利用未来投资倡议来展示其经济多元化、摆脱石油依赖以及吸引外国投资的计划。
The move shows how Saudi Arabia is trying to maintain its push to attract global investment despite an escalating war with the Houthis that has challenged its efforts to turn Riyadh into a hub for global events. The kingdom has used the FII to showcase its plans to diversify its economy from oil and attract foreign investments.
由于通常有大量世界领导人、企业领袖和金融界人士出席，该活动被昵称为“沙漠中的达沃斯”，以呼应世界经济论坛在瑞士举办的年会。
The typical attendance of a large number of world leaders, corporate chieftains and financiers has led the event to be nicknamed "Davos in the desert," in a nod to the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Switzerland.
根据未来投资倡议网站上10月6日发布的活动日程草案，包括高盛首席执行官兼董事长大卫·所罗门、渣打银行首席执行官比尔·温特斯以及花旗集团首席执行官简·弗雷泽在内的全球金融界巨头均计划作为演讲嘉宾出席此次活动。
Global financial titans, including Goldman Sachs CEO and Chairman David Solomon, Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters and Citi's CEO Jane Fraser, were scheduled to participate as speakers at the event, according to a draft programme on the FII website dated October 6.
花旗集团与高盛均拒绝对这些高管是否出席发表评论，渣打银行目前也尚未作出回应。
Citi and Goldman Sachs declined to comment on the executives' attendance, while Standard Chartered had no immediate comment.
本届为第十届的未来投资倡议大会将在利雅得西郊的阿卜杜勒阿齐兹国王国际会议中心举行。
The FII event, in its 10th edition, is due to be held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre, on the western edge of Riyadh.