Flying Higher Through Dark Clouds: Actuaries Unlocking Opportunity in Uncertain Times
The Society of Actuaries (SOA) Middle East, Africa & Pakistan (MAP) Committee is delighted to announce the 2026 SOA MAP Conference, taking place from October 4 to 5, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Center in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The conference theme is ‘Flying Higher Through Dark Clouds: Actuaries Unlocking Opportunity in Uncertain Times’.
As industries across the globe navigate economic volatility, technological disruption, evolving regulatory landscapes, and emerging risks, actuaries are uniquely positioned to lead with insight, resilience, and innovation. The 2026 SOA MAP Conference will bring together senior professionals and leaders from the insurance, banking, healthcare, and financial services sectors across the region and internationally to explore how the actuarial profession can drive opportunity amid uncertainty.
Building on the success of previous regional gatherings in Riyadh and Cairo, the 2026 conference will serve as a dynamic platform for leadership, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. Attendees will include SOA members and non-members from across the region and around the world, creating valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen professional networks, and engage in meaningful industry dialogue.
The SOA remains committed to supporting a growing global actuarial community by advancing education, fostering innovation, and empowering professionals to address the challenges shaping today’s markets. Through insightful sessions, technical discussions, and strategic conversations, the conference will highlight the evolving role of actuaries in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the steering committee members whose vision, dedication, and leadership continue to make this conference possible.
Networking Reception
October 3, 2026 | 6:00–9:00 PM
A dedicated Networking Reception will be held on the evening prior to the conference, offering attendees the opportunity to connect with delegates, speakers, sponsors, and industry leaders in an engaging and welcoming setting.
Get to Know Riyadh
Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, is a thriving global destination where modern innovation meets rich cultural heritage. From iconic skyscrapers and world-class hospitality to historic landmarks and vibrant local markets, Riyadh offers visitors a unique experience that reflects the Kingdom’s rapid transformation and deep-rooted traditions. With its welcoming atmosphere and growing international presence, Riyadh continues to establish itself as a leading hub for business, finance, and innovation in the region.
Sponsorship at the 2026 SOA MAP Conference
The 2026 SOA MAP Conference presents an exceptional opportunity for organizations to connect with a highly engaged audience of actuarial, insurance, banking, healthcare, and financial services professionals from across the region and internationally.
As an official conference sponsor, your organization will gain valuable visibility, strengthen its presence within the actuarial community, and engage directly with senior decision-makers and industry leaders. Sponsorship opportunities are designed to support meaningful connections, thought leadership, and long-term business engagement across multiple sectors.
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:
Razeem (Raz) Habeeb
Senior Manager, International Marketing
Society of Actuaries
Thank you to our 2026 Event Sponsors
Exclusive Sponsor:
Platinum Sponsor:
Important Note
Please note that attendees may not record this meeting or use unauthorized recording or automated meeting tools, including AI note-taking assistants, recording bots, and similar technologies, unless expressly authorized by the event organizer. Registrants should not invite, authorize, or otherwise enable these tools to join on their behalf. Attendance is limited to registered participants only.
Participants who require assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation should contact the event organizer in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made.
{{ day.Date }}
{{ time.Time }}
{{ session.Description }}
The largest city and capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is a beautiful intersection of medieval and modern architectural culture. Home to Saudi Arabia's best museums, the UNESCO Heritage site of Diriyah, Masmak Fortress and the Murabba Palace, Riyadh is also home to world-class designer stores, boutiques, and fine-dining restaurants. We encourage attendees to schedule guided tours and to immerse themselves into the richly unique culture exclusive to Riyadh.
Hotels
The 2026 SOA Regional Symposium will be held in Crown Plaza Riyadh, a luxurious venue offering world-class facilities, including state-of-the-art conference rooms, exquisite dining options, and comfortable accommodations. This will ensure a productive and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention
Wadi Al Muaydin, Street, Unit 4, Imam Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz Road
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Hotel Reservation Deadline: September 15th, 2026
If you need an invitation letter for visa purposes, please email our logistics planner at: Fatima Al Aradi - Falaradi@menamoney.org And Zahraa al Showaikh Zahraa@MENAMONEY.ORG and cc Niya Abdullahi (nabdullahi@soa.org).
- View the Saudi e-Visa application website
- Dashboard of passports applicable for the e-Visa (includes all countries)
- Holders of passports of countries that are not on the eligible countries list for e-Visa can apply for a visa on arrival if they have a USA or UK or Schengen visa and the following conditions apply (Source):
- The visa is valid.
- The visa type is business or tourist.
- The visa has to be used at least once and have an entry stamp of the issuing country.
Below is a summary of information provided on the Saudi Travel Website but we encourage you to verify this information.
|
(Eligible for E-visa and visa on arrival) |
Group B (Consulate Visa) |
|
|
Eligible Countries |
North America: Canada, United States Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom Asia: Azerbaijan, Brunei, China (Including Hong Kong and Macau), Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Africa: South Africa, Oceania: Australia, New Zealand *Some GCC residents, or permanent residents/visa holders of the USA, UK, and Schengen area are eligible for eVisas or visas on arrival, depending on the country. |
North America: The Caribbean, Central America, Greenland, Mexico Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, French Guiana. Middle East/North Africa: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen Asia: India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Turkey, Thailand, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Nepal, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Magnolia, Armenia, Timor-Leste, Bhutan, Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Camoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
|
Required documents |
The eVisa application can be done thru the eVisa Portal, a very straightforward step and takes no longer than 10 minutes. When registering, an OTP is required from the applicant as well as a declaration that the information provided is true and correct – this is a security matter and has to be done by the applicant himself. |
Must be applied in person at the embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in their countries |
|
Cost |
eVisa: SAR 535 (including the full health insurance) The amount in SAR is equivalent to $143. Visa on arrival: 480 (including the full health insurance) The amount in SAR is equivalent to $128 |
Visa fees (SAR 300) and insurance (SAR 140). The amount in SAR is equivalent to $123. |
|
Validity |
1 year after issued and stays of up to 90 days in Total |
1 year after issued and stays of up to 90 days in Total |
|
Time to issue |
eVisa: from few minutes up to 24 hours Visa on arrival: not more than 10-30 minutes |
1 to several Business days |