Category: Invited guests

Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to the UAE. Concurrent Ambassador to Kingdom of Barhain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and State of Kuwait. He previously served as Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to the Republic of China (Taiwan). He has been decorated with the Order of the Brilliant Star in degree of Grand Cordon by the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). He served as Academic Rector and Dean of the Leadership School at the Universidad San Pablo de Guatemala. He was a member of the Group of advisors for the National Council of Science and Technology (CONCYT). In an Ad Honorem manner, he served as a Vice President of Guatemala Prospera, an organization that seeks the development of Guatemalan children and youth, and the formation of principle and values in organizations of the country. He was a Consultant for USAID in Educational Technology for projects oriented to develop professions in young people from marginal regions of Guatemala.

Journalist and TV news anchor. Terry Martin is a Berlin-based broadcaster with decades of experience in international news. Formerly an anchor with CNN International, he is now Senior Anchor with DW News, Germany’s global service. He is also the Founder and Director of the research communications agency SPIA. As a television correspondent, he has provided live coverage from G7 summits, UN climate conferences, and multiple national elections. He has hosted scores of tv discussion programs and interviewed countless political and business leaders, scientists, and activists around the world. Frequently in demand as an event moderator, he has moderated major conferences for public and private-sector clients in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He is a regular host at international conferences including The GLOBSEC Forum, The Warsaw Security Forum, The Delphi Forum, and the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul. He wrote the European Commission’s widely used guidebook “Communicating research for evidence-based policymaking”. Born in Canada, he studied English and philosophy at universities in the US (B.A. Elon College, Masters studies Wake Forest University) before moving to Germany shortly after the fall of The Berlin Wall.

Global Head of Official Institutions Coverage at Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank. Emmanuelle Trochu started her career in 1994 in Banque de France as a forex trader and then Foreign Exchange Reserves Portfolio Manager. She participated in several European working groups to prepare the ECB foreign exchange reserves set up. She joined Credit Agricole group in 2000 as a Central Banks Sales. She became Global Head of the central bank sales team in 2006 and has worked in Paris in London. In 2016 she was appointed Head of Sales for Financial Institutions in France and Belgium on top of her role as Head of the Central banks sales team. She joined Ca-cib coverage in 2020, as Head of the Official Institutions sector. In this capacity she oversees the activity of Crédit Agricole CIB with Sovereigns, Supranationals, State Agencies, Sovereign Wealth Funds and  Central Banks, across geographies. Emmanuelle Trochu holds a master in French Litterature, she graduated from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (Master in Finance). She is an Eisenhower Fellow (2015 global program).

Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the United Arab Emirates, based in Abu Dhabi. Born in 1970, Ambassador Vaswani graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from the National University of Singapore in 1995. He obtained a Masters in International Public Policy from the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University in 2003, on a Singapore Government Scholarship. Ambassador Vaswani joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July 1995. His first overseas assignment was as First Secretary at the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur from 1998 to 2002. Following his post-graduate studies, he served as an Assistant Director in the Policy, Planning & Analysis Directorate I (covering Southeast Asia). Ambassador Vaswani was posted as Counsellor at the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta from 2004 to 2008 and Deputy Permanent Representative at Singapore’s Permanent Mission to ASEAN from 2008 to 2009. He subsequently served as Deputy Director in the Southeast Asia Directorate from 2009 to 2012, and as Deputy Director-General for Southeast Asia from April 2012 to June 2015. Prior to his current appointment, Ambassador Vaswani was the Director-General for Europe from June 2015 to November 2019 anc concurrently Vice Dean (Academic)/Diplomatic Academy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore from July 2015 to November 2019. He was conferred the Commendation Medal in 2005 and Long Service Medal in 2018 as part of the Singapore National Day Awards.

Chief Executive Officer of Jeune Afrique Media Group. President of the Africa CEO Forum. After graduating from the INSEEC School of Business, Mr. Amir Ben Yahmed began his career at NYC-based investment banking firm Gruntal & Co. before joining Jeune Afrique Media Group, one of Africa’s leading media and event organisations. It is recognised internationally for its reach, authority, integrity and accuracy. In his capacity as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ben Yahmed actively pursues the Group’s strategy which is to provide essential news, expert analysis and services to Africa-focused clients around the world. In addition, Mr. Ben Yahmed is Founder and President of the AFRICA CEO FORUM, which, since its creation in 2012, has cemented its status as the foremost meeting of the African private sector. Each year, the Annual Summit of the AFRICA CEO FORUM brings together over 1,800 participants from more than 70 countries, including 40 African States. The 2022 edition saw the participation of more than 800 CEOs, 4 Heads of State, 100 Ministers, 100 heads of international development financial institutions and more than 200 journalists from Africa and overseas.

Chairman of Pro Oriente Conseil, Vice-Chairman for Public Diplomacy of The Global Diwan, Advisor to the Chairman of Diot-Siaci. François Gouyette has served as Ambassador of France from 2001 to 2023 in five Arab countries: UAE, Libya, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Algeria. He was previously DCM in Syria and Turkey. He has also been Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister of Interior and Ambassador in charge of the EUROMed process in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He graduated in Law from the Paris University and in Arabic from the Oriental School in Paris.

Managing Partner of Caber Asset Management. Paul is Singapore based and runs his family office out of Singapore. He has ran Structured Finance for UBS & Lehman Brothers for Asia and subsequently ran a Private hedge fund group and real estate development companies building one of the major mixed used developments in Korea. He started out as an entrepreneur in venture business and has invested in and mentored start ups globally while based in Asia. He is focused on macro economic and geopolitical analysis as a framework for investing and security particularly given the current destruction of liberal democracy laws and social norms in the West resulting in the loss of individual and family rights and consequential loss of global relevance as the BRICS+ and global South seek to create an alternative to the prevalent Neo-Marxist identity politics social tyranny currently unfolding.

Visiting Policy Fellow at the UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose in London. She is a global health and innovation expert, focusing on transforming medical R&D to address priority health needs and ensure equitable access to knowledge and technologies where and when needed, including for epidemic preparedness and response. A Bio-Engineer and Ph.D. from Brussels University (VUB), for over 20 years she has combined scientific research, pharmaceutical R&D, policy analysis and research, and advocacy at Brussels University, Médecins Sans Frontières, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, and Open Society Foundations. She is now an independent researcher and consultant including working with Rt. Hon. Helen Clark and other former members of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response and with the WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All. She is a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Vaccine Market Information for Access. A recent Rockefeller Bellagio Centre resident, she is also an Honorary Science Fellow at the VUB, and author on over 50 international journal publications including in the Lancet, BMJ, Nature, and Vaccines.

CEO of Concerto, a fast-growing group specializing in economic intelligence, strategic communication, and public affairs, with a strong presence in emerging markets. François Hurstel founded Concerto in 2016 to support multinational companies, governments, and institutions on key challenges such as risk management, stakeholder engagement, as well as reputation, image, and influence. Today, Concerto operates in eight countries across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. As CEO, François drives the group’s strategy and development while remaining actively involved in its growth and with certain strategic clients. Before founding Concerto, he worked at the United Nations, GL Events, and contributed to the creation of Hopscotch’s Africa division. He is a graduate of the London School of Economics (LSE) and Paris-Sorbonne University (Paris IV).

Chief Executive Officer of Institut Louis Bachelier, Associate Professor of Finance at Université Paris-Dauphine. Jean-Michel Beacco graduated from Ecole nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (engineer program) and Stanford Graduate School of Business (executive MBA program). He started his career in 1989 at Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations as an Asset and Liability Manager involved in the first French securitization program for social housing refinancing. From 1992 onwards, he headed the capital market’s Credit Trading, structuring and securitization department at Société Générale (1992-2000), CACIB (-2005) and Natixis (-2009). Since 2009, Jean-Michel Beacco has been Chief Executive Officer of Institut Louis Bachelier, a public-private Paris-based research center in economy and finance unique in Europe. Jean-Michel Beacco is Associate Professor of Finance at Université Paris-Dauphine and President of the Department of Economics at Ecole nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

Director of the Center for Post-Industrial Studies in Moscow, Special Advisor to MEMRI’s Russia Media Studies Project in Washington, DC. Dr. Inozemtsev is a Russian economist and political scientist, focusing on global economic issues, development of the knowledge economy in the West and modernization of the Third World nations, with special reference to Russia’s history and current policies. He founded the Center for Post-Industrial Studies in Moscow and has been its Director ever since, combining this activity with teaching at Moscow State University and the Higher School of Economics and numerous fellowships held in the US (Johns Hopkins University and CSIS) and Europe (DGAP in Berlin, Institute of Human Sciences in Vienna and Warsaw Institute of Advanced Studies, among many others). Dr. Inozemtsev served as an Advisor to the Commission on Modernization of the Russian Economy under President Dmitry Medvedev in 2009-2011, as the Chief Aide to Mikhail Prokhorov’s presidential bid in 2012, and as a member of Russia’s ‘Open Government’ in 2013-2014. He left Russia after the start of the war with Ukraine in 2014 and lives in Washington. Dr. Inozemtsev has authored more than 20 books and is a Columnist for the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, NRC Handelsblad, The Independent, Gazeta Wyborcza and La Razon.

Head of International Public Affairs at Ardian since 2022. In this role, he also leads Ardian’s efforts in building relationships with development finance institutions and multilateral organizations. In addition, he contributes to the sourcing of joint ventures and partnerships for the international development of our portfolio companies. Previously, he worked as a diplomat for the French Foreign Office for over 15 years, specializing in the Middle East and multilateral organizations. Thierry has held various Embassy postings across the Middle East and served as the Chief of Staff and Spokesperson of the Ambassador of the French Mission to the United Nations in New York. He is based in Paris.

Senior Managing Partner at Ardian (the leading investment firm, 170 Bn of AUM) and Global Head of International Affairs. He is also Vice President of the French GCC Business councils at MEDEF International, the French largest business organization as well as Head of the Sovereign Wealth Funds Council. Prior to joining Ardian, he had served in the French Foreign Office for 15 years, including as MENA advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is Board Member at Siaci Saint Honoré Group (Paris), a leading European insurance brokerage firm and at Dedalus, a world leader in IT software solutions for healthcare. François-Aïssa Touazi is Knight of the Legion of Honor.

Director of Strategy of CNES, the French Space Agency. Jean-Marc ASTORG is an expert in space issues, with an almost 40-year experience at CNES, giving him in-depth knowledge of the space sector in France and worldwide in all areas: launchers, satellites and ground segments. As Director of Strategy at CNES, he is actively involved in adapting CNES and the French space ecosystem to the new environment created by New Space.

President Exploration and Production and member of the Executive Committee of TotalEnergies since September 1st, 2021. Nicolas Terraz started his career in the French Ministries of Industry (1994-1997) and Public Works and Transportation (1997-2001) and joined TotalEnergies in 2001. After holding positions in France and in Qatar, Nicolas Terraz served as Managing Director of Total E&P Myanmar (2008-2011), Managing Director of Total E&P France (2011-2014), Vice President New Ventures for Exploration and Production (2014-2015) and Managing Director of Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria (2015-2019). In 2019, Nicolas Terraz was appointed Senior Vice President Africa and a member of the management committee of the Exploration & Production segment of TotalEnergies. Born in 1969, Nicolas Terraz is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées and earned a Master of Science in Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Managing Director of Pure Harvest & PlanTFarm JV Operations, Joint venture business between a leading CEA company in UAE and a leading indoor vertical farm company in Korea. He has 30+ years of experiences in brand strategies, global marketing management, and product innovation, with sector-specific expertise in both IT and food industries. Previously, he served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Coway, and before that as the Vice President of Global Marketing at Samsung Electronics. As the Head of Product Planning and Management, he led the global refrigerator business at Samsung Electronics. He also served as the Head of Product Strategy & Innovations at Bowers&Wilkins and the Vice President at General Mills. Other prior experiences in food sector, incl. Kellogg’s, and IT sector, incl. Motorola. Mr. Park received a M.A. in Marketing from University of Alabama and BBA from Korea University.

Engineer from the Corps des mines, and Head of the Bourgogne Franche-Comté Regional Economic Service, and Economic Representative to the Regional Prefect. She has worked in various organizations, companies and think tanks in Europe (Germany, UK), Southeast Asia (Singapore) and New Caledonia, on energy, industrial, resources and digital issues. She also took part in the World Material Forum as Below 25. As part of her studies, she wrote a report for the French Ministry of Economy and Finance in 2023 about the French reindustrialization.

President & CEO of BLG Logistics, Inc., the US subsidiary of the BLG Group, specializing in facility-based, contract logistics in North America. BLG Logistics enjoys a dedicated team of over 220 professionals focused on processes, IT systems and automation for automotive, retail and heavy industrial brands. As a current member of the Board for the German American Chamber of Commerce South in Atlanta, Kirk actively contributes to fostering business and education between North America and Germany. He serves also as Chairman of the Board for the Alabama Germany Partnership and holds a director position on the Birmingham Industrial Development Board.

Associate Director of Ifri’s Geoeconomics and Geofinance initiative, Professor of Economics at Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (Paris), where he holds the chair Jean-Baptiste Say of industrial economics. He is also a member of France’s Council of Economic Advisers (Conseil d’analyse économique) and National Productivity Council (CNP), a Research Associate with CEPII, a Policy Associate with GEP (University of Nottingham, UK), and a fellow of CESifo Research Network (Munich, Germany). He has previously been Director of CEPII, the French leading centre for research and expertise in international economics, from 2012 to 2021, after holding positions at INRAE and OECD. His research and policy works mainly deal with the applied economic analysis of globalization, with special emphasis on international trade, trade policies, and international economic policy. He has taught in various institutions. He graduated from the École centrale de Paris and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from University of Paris-1.

Global Head of Commodities Markets at Natixis, a company he joined in 2018. He has over twenty years of experience in the oil and energy derivative trading markets. He started his career in 1996 at Elf Trading (now Totalfina Elf) in Geneva as a junior oil trader. In 1998, he joined TFS in London, then moved to Crown Commodities the following year. In 2000, he joined BP, spending seven years with the firm in London and Chicago, establishing and running their worldwide oil options proprietary trading business and serving as Global Head of the oil derivatives trading and marketing teams. In 2007, he joined Morgan Stanley as a senior options trader in the oil derivatives trading desk. In 2009, he joined the Trafigura Group in Geneva, establishing and managing its energy trading fund. In 2013, he moved to Gunvor, also in Geneva, developing the firm’s proprietary options trading activity.

Deputy Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.

Cultural Advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates. His Excellency Zaki Nusseibeh is also Chancellor of the UAE and former Minister of State for Cultural and Public Diplomacy.

Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Defence Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. His Excellency Mohammed Al Bowardi joined the Federal Government in February 2016 as the Minister of State for Defence. In addition to his ministerial role, he is the Vice Chairman of Mubadala Development Company and Dolphin Energy Limited, and board member of Tawazun Holding. He is also the Chairman of the Committee for Developing and Implementing the Water and Agriculture Strategy for Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, Al Bowardi is the Managing Director and board member of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Deputy Chairman of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and the International Fund for Houbara Conservation- Abu Dhabi, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Abu Dhabi University ADU. Al Bowardi has previously held the positions of Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, Secretary-General of the General Secretariat of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Executive Committee. His Execllency Mohammed Al Bowardi holds bachelor degree in History and Political Science from Lewis & Clark College, USA.

UAE Ambassador to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Director General a.i. of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy. In this role, he oversees the projects in the department, which contribute to domestic and international debates on issues relevant to the UAE’s foreign policy and diplomacy, and act as an impactful source of analysis for the UAE government. With a career spanning over 20 years in Middle East and European politics, H.E. served as the UN Secretary General’s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Envoy to the Middle East Quartet between 2015 and 2020. In 2013 H.E. was appointed as United Nations Special Representative for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). H.E. Mladenov was active in Bulgarian politics, both in government and opposition. He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2013 and as the Minister of Defense from 2009 to 2010. H.E. was also a Member of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2009. He also led the EU Election Observation Mission to Ghana for the parliamentary and presidential elections in 2008. In February 2021, he was awarded the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem by President Mahmoud Abbas. H.E. Mladenov was educated at King’s College London, where he obtained an MA in War Studies and prior to that he graduated from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, where he majored in International Relations.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia since 2019. His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is also Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Saudi Military Industries Corporation and Chairman of the Executive Committee. Previously, he served as Advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Senior Advisor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Washington (2017 – 2019). He was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alsalam Aerospace Company and then Chairman of the Board between 2001 and 2013. He served in several administrations in both private and public sectors between 2001 and 2019.