Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 16 February 2016 – The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, inaugurated the Knowledge and Innovation Fair and Forum (KIFF) 2016 at the Bank’s headquarters in Jeddah on 15 February.

Heads of diplomatic missions in Jeddah, representatives of international organizations, members of the IDB Board of Executive Directors, academics and scholars, and journalists and media representatives are attending the two-day event.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Ali said that the event is in line with IDB Group’s emphasis on innovation and creativity as a way to support development. “In KIFF 2016, 14 different forums will be discussing development issues to which the IDB Group attaches high significance,” he said. “This event covers various aspects of creativity as well as regional and global knowledge sharing.”

The 32 booths in KIFF 2016 showcase a number of innovative IDB Group-financed projects underway in the Bank’s member countries, as well as a number of scientific activities in which IDB Group staff are involved.