Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak serves as the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Member of the UAE Cabinet.

HE Dr. Al Dahak is responsible for implementing and leading national initiatives related to environmental protection, biodiversity, climate change and food systems as well as enhancing governmental excellence by delivering best-in-class service to the community. HE leads the Ministry’s work in partnership with other government entities, the private sector, startups, and the local community to support the nation’s efforts to achieve net zero by 2050, protect and promote the country’s unique natural environment, accelerate climate action, grow the agriculture and fishing sectors, develop agricultural technologies, safeguard land ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and ensure national food security.

Since her appointment as the Minister of Climate Change and Environment in January 2024, HE has represented the UAE at leading international forums including COP29 (Azerbaijan), COP16 (Saudi Arabia & Colombia) and UNGA. HE has also led several trailblazing national project launches such as the Plant the Emirates National Programme, the National Agriculture Centre and the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition.

Alongside her Ministerial role, Her Excellency Dr. Al Dahak chairs several national councils and committees, including the UAE Council for Climate Action, the Emirates Council for Food Security (ECFS), and the UAE Council for Environmental and Municipal Work. She is also a board member of the National Committee of the Biosecurity, and the Supreme Committee for the Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources. Her Excellency is also a board member of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, the Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Sheraa's Board of Advisors, the Trustees of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, the UAEU’s Board of Trustees, the Emirates Council for Rural Development, the Board of Trustees of Ajman University, and the Board of Directors of the Al Mubarakah Foundation. Additionally, HE Dr. Al Dahak chairs the Supreme Committee for the Food Innovation Hub UAE.

Prior to her appointment as Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Her Excellency was responsible for leading a wide range of strategic initiatives at the Ministry of Education as Assistant Undersecretary for the Care and Capacity Building Sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Her Excellency served as the UAE Government Spokesperson.

Armed with a distinguished academic track-record HE brings a scientific and evidence-based philosophy to her work at MOCCAE. HE holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Khalifa University and Master’s and bachelor’s degrees in computer science from the University of Sharjah, in addition to the UAE Government Innovation Diploma.

With nearly three decades of proven expertise, Eng. Yasser Zaghloul is one of the most experienced professionals in the oil & gas and marine services industries. He is the current Group CEO of NMDC Group, one of the leading integrated oil & gas and marine services EPC organizations in the region, with an established presence across MENA and South Asia. He also serves as Chairman of The Challenge – the Egyptian Emirates Marine Dredging Company, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, assigned by His Highness UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.   Eng. Yasser became CEO of NMDC in 2009 with a goal to grow the company and enter global markets. Led by his vision, guidance, and dedication, NMDC has merged to create NMDC Group, with subsidiaries including National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), Emarat Europe and ADEC.   Prior to taking the leadership position at NMDC, Eng. Yasser was the head of operations of the company from 2006 to 2009, and held managerial positions between 1998 and 2006. Before joining NMDC, he worked at the Suez Canal Authority in Egypt. He started his career as a researcher at the Higher Institute of Technology in Egypt.   Eng. Yasser holds several additional leadership roles and advisory positions. He is a member of the General Board of the Control of Water UAE, member of the Brussels-based World Organization of Marine Construction and Dredging, and General Supervisor and Sponsor for the World Conference of CEDA in Brussels and Abu Dhabi, which covers more than 60 countries worldwide.   He is also a member of the committee on the Preparation and Qualification of National Cadres of NMDC in cooperation with the Ministry of the Presidency, Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, and the National Institute of Vocational Rehabilitation. He is an active proponent of corporate social responsibilities initiatives.   Eng. Yasser’s illustrious career has been recognized regionally. He was named one of the Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East 2022 by Forbes Middle East, and received the Middle East Award for excellence for Best Chief Executives Director 2012 in the category of Engineering and Marine Business Building by the East Institute of Excellence. He was also named as the Maritime Standard Award Personality of the Year in 2016, and received the Gold Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (SKEA) in 2013.   Eng. Yasser holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management from Cambridge College Global, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Helwan, finishing top of his class.

His Excellency Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri is the President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology. He brings more than a decade of extensive experience in management, engineering, and higher education, with an impressive track record which includes transformative work at The Petroleum Institute, which later merged with Khalifa University, and the Emirates College for Advanced Education. Earlier, he was Senior Vice-President of Support Services and an Associate Professor of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, leading Khalifa University’s operational plans, budget, and administrative and financial strategy. H.E. Prof. Al Hajri joined The Petroleum Institute as a faculty member in 2009 after receiving his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, US. He received his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Colorado University and his bachelor’s from the University of Arizona, US. In 2012, he was appointed as Director of External Relations and Collaborations at The Petroleum Institute. In 2018, H.E. Prof. Al Hajri became Director of Continuing Education at Khalifa University in addition to his role as an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, while also serving as the Vice Chancellor of Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE), where he helped transform the college into a leading postgraduate college, increasing research funding and output by three-fold. His Excellency Prof. Al Hajri also led an exceptional strategic shift in college support activities, delivering service automation, live institutional data & information dashboards, improved budget utilization, and optimized procurement operations. A recipient of several awards including Best Service Award 2012 at The Petroleum Institute, H.E. Prof. Al Hajri is also honored with the Rashid Award for Scientific Outstanding 2010, Special Recognition Award of ADNOC HSE Awards 2010, First place winner PI Sustainability Award 2010, and Appreciation for being granted funding by ASHRAE for a distinguished research and Grant-in-aid from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineering. H.E. Prof. Al Hajri is a former President of the ASHRAE Falcon Chapter in the UAE and has been serving as a member of the chapter’s board of governance since 2010. He is also a member and a chair of several technical committees in ASHRAE and ASME. Author of a number of articles in highly recognized journals and conference proceedings, H.E. Prof. Al Hajri has also has organized and co-organized local and international workshops and conference and had been invited to speak in several international and local conferences. He also serves as a reviewer of several journals in the area relevant to thermal-fluids and energy systems. His research interest areas include conventional and micro-channel mass/heat exchangers design, micro reactors, and energy efficiency and recovery. He worked on research projects such as evaluation of heat transfer and pressure drop of enhanced tubes, external fouling of a fin-fan heat exchanger, waste heat recovery using a double absorption systems, and exploration of geothermal heat diffusion mechanism.

With two decades of extensive experience in sustainability, environment, occupational health, and process safety within the oil and gas sector, Dr. Aaesha Hashem has established herself as a leading figure in promoting responsible business practices and sustainable operations. Her career is marked by a commitment to high professional standards in both corporate and field-based environments, demonstrating expertise in critical areas such as organizational development, operational risks, social development, and emergency response planning. Currently, as the Vice President of Sustainability & ESG at ADNOC Gas, Dr. Hashem plays a strategic role in steering the company's sustainability agenda. She ensures that sustainable practices are integrated into all aspects of operations and is instrumental in formulating and implementing comprehensive ESG strategies that align with ADNOC’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Her leadership fosters a culture of sustainability, driving innovative initiatives to address environmental challenges and promote responsible business practices across the organization. In addition to her role at ADNOC, Dr. Hashem serves as a board member at NMDC Group, contributing her expertise in sustainability and environmental health to guide the organization's initiatives. In her previous role as the Manager of Health, Safety, and Environment at ADNOC Onshore in the North East Bab Field, Dr. Hashem managed integrated activities related to sustainability, environmental protection, personal health, and process safety. Her leadership in this position was crucial for cultivating a culture of safety and sustainability within the organization. As the Manager of the Environment & Occupational Health Department at ADNOC Group HSE, Dr. Hashem was responsible for developing strategic policies and corporate guidelines that advanced sustainability and occupational health practices across ADNOC's subsidiaries. Her earlier experience includes managing the development and implementation of occupational health strategies and overseeing the governance of occupational health services within ADNOC.Dr. Hashem’s dedication to occupational health is exemplified by her groundbreaking accomplishments. She is recognized as the first Emirati female to work as a remote field HSE manager in the oil and gas industry and holds the distinction of being the first Emirati doctor licensed in both family and occupational medicine. As a certified consultant physician, she is also the first Emirati female specialized in occupational medicine and has held the regional specialty advisor position for the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians, Ireland. Additionally, she is the founder of the Emirates Society of Occupational Medicine (ESOM), reflecting her commitment to advancing the field and supporting professionals in the industry. Dr. Hashem holds a PhD in Family Medicine from the Arab Board of Health Specialization, a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and a Bachelor of Medicine & General Surgery from the Faculty of Medicine in Dubai. Her professional affiliations include being a member and fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland and a member of the Royal College of General Practice in London. Through her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to sustainability and health, Dr. Aaesha Hashem continues to inspire others in the industry to prioritize responsible practices and contribute to a sustainable future.

Eng. Niels de Bruijn is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NMDC Dredging & Marine (NMDC D&M), a position he has held since November 2023. He leads the growth of the company in the Abu Dhabi home market, but also focuses on expanding to new international markets whilst driving operational excellence across all levels. Mr. de Bruijn has over 35 years of in-depth experience in the international dredging and marine sector. Prior to joining NMDC D&M, he was an Executive Board member of Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors, a leading Dutch internationally operating company. He was also a Supervisory Board Member of several international organizations like the European International Contractors (EIC) and the International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC). Mr. de Bruijn holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Delft in The Netherlands and attended several Executive Leadership programs at the IMD Business School in Switzerland.

Professor Ken McPhail is the Head of Alliance Manchester Business School and a Professor of Accounting at The University of Manchester. He previously served as Deputy Head and Research Director at Alliance MBS, as well as Vice Dean for Social Responsibility for the Faculty of Humanities, where he led major university city initiatives and ethical leadership programmes. Before joining Manchester, Ken held senior academic roles including Head of School at La Trobe University in Melbourne and Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Scottish Centre for Professional Ethics at the University of Glasgow.

Ken holds a PhD from the University of Dundee and an MA (Hons) in Accountancy & Computer Science from Heriot-Watt University. His research focuses on accounting ethics, corporate accountability, the evolving role of corporations in society, and the growing nexus between business and human rights.

Hugo Losada is the CEO of Emirates Cement, part of EMSTEEL Group, where he leads using well-honed expertise in identifying opportunities for growth and executing projects to optimize efficiencies, product delivery, and overall plant performance.

Losada has over 25 years’ experience as a successful leader, driving savings and growth within the construction, heavy materials, and manufacturing sectors across four continents.

Losada’s impressive track record includes achievements in business acquisitions, turnarounds, divestitures, due diligence, and competitive market analysis, managing budgets exceeding US$ 530 million.

His diverse career includes key leadership roles in renowned global organizations, such as Hume Cement Industries, CEMEX Group (Thailand, Philippines, Venezuela), and ReadyMix (Ireland).

Losada holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from UCAB in Venezuela.

Lady Eve Laws is Chairwoman of Maison IG, a family office and strategic investment group focused on impact investing, ESG, PropTech, AI, and sustainable development. A serial entrepreneur, investor, and board adviser, she has built and exited businesses across sectors including real estate, technology, construction, fashion, and the creative industries, working across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Through Maison IG, she oversees a portfolio of ventures spanning AI-powered branding, ESG technology, investor networks, and affordable housing, with a focus on creating commercial value alongside long-term social impact. Her work centres on helping organisations and family offices integrate innovation, sustainability, and responsible investment into their growth strategies.

Lady Eve also serves as Chair of the ESG & Sustainability Task Force and a board member of the Middle East Business Alliance for Sustainability (MEBAS), where she contributes to regional discussions on sustainable finance, resilience, and economic transformation. A regular international speaker, she is recognised for her insights on family offices, impact investing, affordable housing, leadership, and the intersection of private capital and public purpose.

Zaid Mohammed Ikram is a sustainability and high-performance buildings leader with over 10 years of experience delivering sustainability, commissioning, and building physics solutions across the Middle East. He currently leads Energy and Commissioning Services at AtkinsRéalis, driving business growth, mentoring multidisciplinary teams, and engaging with clients, industry partners, and suppliers to develop and deliver sustainability strategies for complex, high-value developments.

Zaid is a certified Building Energy Modelling Professional (BEMP) and served on the ASHRAE BEMP Subcommittee from 2021 to 2024, where he contributed to the development and validation of the global certification program. He also holds multiple industry-recognized credentials, including ASHRAE BCxP, HBDP, CEM, and ISO certifications. His leadership philosophy centers on building strong partnerships that drive innovation, enhance performance, and create lasting impact.

xRoberta Calarese is the Founder and CEO of GHAYA, a purpose-driven advisory firm that helps leaders, governments, and organisations align economic growth with social and environmental impact. With nearly three decades of international experience spanning leadership, governance, investment banking, policy, sustainability, and organisational transformation, she has advised businesses and institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

Before founding GHAYA, Calarese held a number of senior leadership roles, including Chief Legal Officer and Secretary General at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where she helped shape the regulatory and governance framework that established the DIFC as a leading global financial centre. She later served as Chief Legal Officer at Majid Al Futtaim, championing corporate governance and leadership development initiatives.

Today, Calarese is recognised as a leading advocate for purpose-led leadership, systems change, and sustainable economic development, working with public and private sector leaders to embed purpose, resilience, and long-term value at the heart of organisational strategy.

Max is a Behavioural Scientist who has worked with clients ranging from Fortune 500s to start-ups, and Governments. His focus is on bringing behaviourally informed strategy and innovation to systems, products, and services. He has worked on behavioural problems as varied as Shopping Trolley use, Cyber Security, and Energy and Water Sustainability.

Wesley brings over 21 years of dedicated experience in sustainability and ESG. As the head of ESG at Knight Frank, he is tasked with spearheading the development of the ESG consulting practice across the MENA region. Throughout his career, Wesley has designed and executed transformational ESG strategies for both private and public sector organisations on a global and regional scale. His background spans diverse sectors, including managing real estate portfolios for sovereign wealth funds, investment funds, banks, real estate developers, tech companies, heavy industries, and retail and leisure. Wesley is an expert in strategy development, sustainable finance, ESG due diligence and IPOs, transformational restructuring, and integrating sustainable technologies. His passion for driving positive change and delivering impactful solutions positions him as a leader in the ESG landscape.

Rania Masri El Khatib is CEO of The Giving Movement, a UAE-born activewear and lifestyle brand built around responsible production and social impact. Appointed in November 2025, she brings more than two decades of experience across retail, luxury, media and brand development in the Middle East.

Her career includes senior leadership roles at Chalhoub Group, where she played a central role in launching and developing Level Shoes, as well as leadership experience with IMI in Abu Dhabi. She is an alumna of London Business School.

At The Giving Movement, El Khatib is leading the company's next phase of growth, focused on taking a successful homegrown UAE brand into international markets while retaining its purpose-led identity.

Her leadership philosophy centres on building businesses where commercial growth, responsible practices, social impact and people remain interconnected, offering a perspective on how purpose-driven companies can scale without losing the values on which they were built.

Hussein Shoukry is Managing Director for Siemens Energy in the Middle East and Africa, overseeing operations across 29 offices and more than 4,000 employees. Since joining Siemens in 2003, Shoukry has held senior leadership roles spanning engineering, manufacturing, project execution and strategy. Previously, as Senior Vice President for Project Execution at Siemens Energy, he led more than 3,500 professionals delivering large-scale, complex energy projects globally.

Born in Egypt and with experience across Europe and the Middle East, Shoukry has led major strategic and transformation initiatives that have shaped his perspective on the energy transition and the challenges of delivering resilient energy infrastructure at scale.

He also serves on the boards of several Siemens Energy subsidiaries across the region and is Chairman of Siemens Energy Egypt. Shoukry holds a degree in Construction Engineering from the American University in Cairo.

Alice Cowman is CEO of Enerwhere, a leading provider of decentralized and hybrid power solutions across the Middle East. Appointed in 2023, she became the first woman to lead a utility company in the region.

With nearly two decades of experience spanning distributed energy, renewable energy finance and infrastructure development, Cowman has worked at the intersection of commercial strategy, energy transition and emerging markets.

Her career includes advising governments, development finance institutions and businesses on renewable energy projects across the Middle East and Africa. As CEO, she has led Enerwhere through significant growth and expansion into Saudi Arabia and Oman, while accelerating the deployment of hybrid solar, battery storage and microgrid solutions across energy-intensive industries.

Cowman advocates an approach to the energy transition that combines technology with leadership and human capability, emphasising the people, investment and organisational change required to deliver cleaner, more reliable and affordable energy.

Antonios Vouloudis is the Senior Director of Sustainability and Stewardship at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), where he leads the strategic development and implementation of the university’s Climate Action Plan. His role is central to advancing NYUAD’s sustainability vision by establishing measurable targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance environmental stewardship across the institution.

Before joining NYUAD, Antonios held prominent positions within the Abu Dhabi government, including Senior Project Manager for the "For Abu Dhabi" initiative, part of the Ghadan 21 program at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). His career also includes senior roles with Estidama, Abu Dhabi’s pioneering sustainability initiative, and as a Sustainability/Energy Management Engineer for Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and other significant projects.

Antonios holds a Master of Science in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Surrey, UK, and a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Democritus University of Thrace, Greece. He is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP), LEED Accredited Professional (AP), and Estidama Pearl Qualified Professional (PQP), reflecting his deep commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and the built environment.

With a diverse portfolio that spans government, private sector, and academia, Antonios is dedicated to advancing sustainable development, climate action, and energy resilience within the UAE and beyond.

Ismail Tekin is the Founder & CEO of The World Impacteurs Network and The World Impact Forum, with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning the private and public sectors across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Based in the UAE for over a decade, he specialises in international relations, business development, strategic partnerships, and sustainable growth.

A respected thought leader, Ismail regularly speaks on sustainability, climate finance, impact investing, and the future of work. Through the World Impact Zone's Boardroom Live series, he convenes founders, investors, policymakers, and business leaders to address global challenges, including climate resilience, food systems, and AI. His work is dedicated to advancing sustainable investment, responsible leadership, and long-term economic and social impact.

Kareem Shahin is Chief Executive Officer of M42's Digital Health Solutions platform and Group Chief Digital Officer, where he leads the company's digital strategy and the application of AI to transform healthcare delivery. He also serves as CEO of Abu Dhabi Health Data Services, overseeing flagship initiatives including Malaffi, the UAE's first Health Information Exchange platform, which is accelerating the digital transformation of healthcare across the emirate. With more than 20 years of experience, Shahin has built a career at the intersection of healthcare, technology and innovation. Prior to joining M42, he was Chief Business Officer at G42 Healthcare, driving strategic growth and partnerships across the region. Earlier, he spent 13 years at IBM in senior healthcare leadership roles before becoming Senior Partner for Digital Health Transformation at PwC Middle East. Shahin holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the American University of Sharjah and an MBA from Strathclyde Business School

Reg is part of a fourth generation bloodline of family entrepreneurs, rooted in agriculture and farming from 1919, and the Head of its Single Family Office, based out of Dubai. He has founded/co-founded 18 family founder led start-ups over 33 years, with 4 exits as an entrepreneur, and personally advised 209 UHNW Family Offices over 25 years, guiding them to generate $12b+ in Revenue Growth & Equity Value.

Reg has built 20 Sovereign Ecosystems and Global Industry Zones to date, established on the Verchool Platform, that supports 75,000 decision-makers from 72 countries. Verchool has developed a pioneering technology platform with Regvorn Technology Systems, that integrates 3D Spatial Web Ecosystem Environments with Advanced AI Quantum Matchmaking Technologies, on Sovereign Infrastructure Hardware layers to drive Economic Outcomes. Verchool has now been adopted by global Sovereigns, Governments, States and Cities, and in 2026 awarded with a 5-Year contract with a Dubai-UAE government entity.

Reg is also a prolific World Renowned Educator, Speaker & Author of 7 books, and delivered global programs for HBS, YPO, EO, Vistage and Business Schools. Reg is most passionate about Building Communities, Ecosystems & Legacies, that can transform lives and impact humanity for another 300 years.

Maya Haddad is the Senior Sustainability Manager at Ajman University, where she leads the institution's sustainability strategy across campus operations, education, research, and community engagement. With more than a decade of experience in sustainability, environmental health and safety, and organisational transformation, she has played a key role in embedding sustainability into the university's long-term vision and operations.

Her work focuses on climate action, decarbonisation, the circular economy, resource efficiency, and developing future-ready organisations through education. Maya is also an active contributor to regional and international sustainability initiatives, including the UAE Universities Climate Network, UNESCO's Greening Education Partnership, the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN), and the Emirates Green Building Council.

At a time when universities are increasingly shaping the leaders of tomorrow, Maya champions the role of higher education in equipping future generations with the skills, mindset, and leadership needed to address global sustainability challenges and build resilient societies.