H.E. Eng. Abdulla Al Marzouqi is the Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), the responsible entity for the integrated planning of the land transport, Operating public transport, Managing parking spaces, Traffic monitoring centres, Axle weights stations, Logistical facilities of freight surface transport and Roads sector according to the approved transport plans. Al Marzouqi is a member of the Infrastructure Committee in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and he is also the Vice President of the Executive Committee of Abu Dhabi General Service Company (MUSANADA).
Al Marzouqi manages ITC’s daily operations and supervises the setting and implementation of development plans, programs and strategies that contribute to improving the quality of services offered to the society. In addition, he plans the appropriate mechanisms to create a comprehensive integration between the different sectors at ITC and increase the productivity and operational efficiency of the transport sector. This all supports the efforts dedicated to follow the requirements and objectives of the Economic Vision of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and contribute to the sustainable development movement in the Emirate.
Previously, H.E. Abdulla Al Marzouqi worked as the Acting General Manager of ZonesCorp where he was responsible for managing the daily operations of the entity and implement strategic plans that aim to improve the industrial sector, support local business and increase the competence of Abu Dhabi’s economic.
Al Marzouqi holds an M.A. in Engineering Management and a B.A. in Mechanical Engineering from United Arab Emirates University.
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Jung Sook Park
Secretary General - WeGO | World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization
Prior to her appointment as Secretary-General of WeGO, Jung Sook Park has dedicated her career in the field of international cooperation.
She served as the Korean Representative of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) for ten years from 2009 to 2018, and she worked as a high-profile broadcaster as the host of morning news shows for major TV networks in Korea for over ten years from 1994 to 2004, as well as starring in “Jewel in the Palace,” the highestrated
TV drama ever in the world. Since then, she has focused her career on education and research as a professor at Kyung Hee University and an adjunct professor of cultural diplomacy at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
She is also serving as the honorary ambassador for Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and City of Seoul tasked with increasing public awareness about Korea's role as an international society. As a philanthropist, she is the Founder and Executive Director of the Multicultural Network & Hope Kids Korea, an NGO that provides education and mentoring for underprivileged children in Korea. Jung-sook Park is a graduate of Seoul Women's University and Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (MIA) and Yonsei University’s School of Public Administration (MPA)in Korea and studied in doctoral program and visiting scholar at Keio University.
H.E. Dr. Ohoud Shehail
Director General - Department of Digital Ajman
Dr.Ohoud is an aspiring Emirati who has scripted her success story with relentless determination and commitment towards promoting the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Industry in UAE. The Government at the “UAE Pioneers Award” has recognized her pioneering role and she continues to inspire success.
She holds many academic qualifications to her credit, a bachelor’s degree of Software Engineering (Information Technology, 2005), a Master's of Business Administration (2011), a Doctorate degree of Business Administration (2021) and lately a second Masters of Strategic and Security Studies (2022).
Her experience and expertise in the ICT industry has earned her many keynote speaking and proactive panelist opportunities on global platforms such as UN.
Currently, she is leading the team of Department of digital Ajman as their Director General. She is also serving as a member in many high esteemed committees across the UAE such as: a member of Ajman Executive Council, a member of the Artificial Intelligence and Block Chain Council of UAE, a member of the National Cybersecurity Council, a member of the Advisory Board of the College of Computing and Informatics at the University of Sharjah, and a member of the Board of Ajman University Innovation Center. Her career path is dotted with remarkable achievements and milestones in all the government positions she has served.
A strong believer in the spirit of teamwork, her leadership qualities are reflected in her impeccable work ethics and empowered team that grows with her vision. Her exceptional management and strategic planning abilities has resulted in UAE being represented in local, regional and international forums of the ICT industry. The exemplary achievements of the Ajman Digital government are ideal case studies presented on such platforms to showcase the remarkable accomplishments.
Her principle of life and work “Realize the ambitions of our visionary leaders, determination of a will for a great nation rooted in the wisdom of our culture and traditions of our beloved country, WE, Emiratis make success a way of life, wherever we go, whatever we pursue”.
Prof Merouane Debbah
Founder and Director of KU 6G Research Center - Khalifa University
Mérouane Debbah is a researcher, educator and technology entrepreneur. Over his career, he has founded several public and industrial research centers, start-ups and is now Professor at Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi and founding Director of the KU 6G Research Center. He is a frequent keynote speaker at international events in the field of telecommunication and AI. His research has been lying at the interface of fundamental mathematics, algorithms, statistics, information and communication sciences with a special focus on random matrix theory and learning algorithms. In the Communication field, he has been at the heart of the development of small cells (4G), Massive MIMO (5G) and Large Intelligent Surfaces (6G) technologies. In the AI field, he is known for his work on Large Language Models, distributed AI systems for networks and semantic communications. He received multiple prestigious distinctions, prizes and best paper awards (more than 40 IEEE best paper awards) for his contributions to both fields and according to research.com is ranked as the best scientist in France in the field of Electronics and Electrical Engineering. He is an IEEE Fellow, a WWRF Fellow, a Eurasip Fellow, an AAIA Fellow, an Institut Louis Bachelier Fellow and a Membre émérite SEE. His recent work led to the development of NOOR (upon it release, largest language model in Arabic) released in 2022 and Falcon LLM (upon its release, top ranked open-source large language model) released in 2023. These two models have positioned the UAE as a global leader in the generative AI field.
Ashish Ipe Koshy
Group Chief Operating Officer - M42 | Chairman of the Board, Malaffi
Ashish Koshy holds the positions of Group Chief Operating Officer at M42, a prominent health-tech company, and Chairman of the Board at Malaffi, the Abu Dhabi Health Information Exchange.
With an entrepreneurial spirit, he excels at transforming challenges into viable business propositions across diverse sectors, from banking to telecom and healthcare. His leadership has propelled G42 Healthcare from startup status to a regional healthcare leader, lauded for pioneering initiatives spanning diagnostics, digital health, and more.
He has been instrumental in the merger with Mubadala Health which has now resulted in creation of M42, an integrated healthcare powerhouse company with more than 20,000 employees and more than 450 facilities in 24 countries.
He envisions an Al-powered ecosystem to tackle present and future challenges through public-private partnerships, driving impactful national programs and partnerships.
Forbes has recognized his leadership, naming him a Top 100 Healthcare Leader for fostering innovation and growth.
Prior to G42, Ashish held notable roles at Reliance Jio and Ooredoo, holding an MBA and MSc from prestigious institutions.
Mohamed Al Breiki
Executive Director, Sustainable Real Estate - Masdar City
Mohamed Al Breiki is responsible for leading the advancement of sustainable development at Masdar City, from investment and planning to delivery and sustainable community management. Al Breiki provides strategic planning, value creation, and financial oversights in the development of real estate assets while maintaining highest standard of excellence.
He has over 20 years of development management experience, including planning and design, new construction, commercial tenant fit-out, operations optimization, and business plan execution. Previously, he has held roles at Mubadala, ADEK, and the Urban Planning Council.
During his 10 years at Mubadala, he managed major projects in various sectors such as real estate, health care, education, aerospace, and information and communications technology. Some of his notable Abu Dhabi projects include the design and delivery of New York University, the Four Seasons Hotel, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and Khazna Data Center.
While at the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, Al Breiki contributed to the master planning of various mixed-use developments across Abu Dhabi and worked collaboratively with real estate developers to ensure their plans were professionally designed, sustainable, and well-managed. At ADEK, he managed the development and implementation of a schools master plan in Abu Dhabi.
Al Breiki holds a BTEC national diploma in business studies from Southampton City College in England. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, a post-graduate diploma in business administration, and a master’s degree in engineering management from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi.
Safder Nazir
SVP Public Sector, Middle East and Central Asia - Huawei
Safder heads Huawei’s Digital Industry Center of Excellence, prior to which he has held various leadership roles in global blue chip companies. With over 25 years of experience across the world he has an extensive background in the built environment including smart cities, connected real estate and sustainable development.
Having held senior leadership positions as the client, the consultant and the vendor, this 360 degree view combined with over 15 years in the Middle East region gives Safder a rounded perspective of the market, challenges and opportunities. He has worked directly with governments, developers and city leaders to help formalize their strategies.
With more than 20 years in mobility field, Samer played a key role in developing different in-vehicle smart systems, he joined Streamax Technology in 2016, in his capacity as CEO for middle east and north Africa.
Samer leads the implementation of many successful projects like the new taxi solution in the emirate of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi 2018), STS Smart School Bus Project (Dubai 2019), Abu Dhabi Police stop arm project (Abu Dhabi 2020) launching of King Khalid airport green taxi project in kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh 2020) and the full city bus solution in kingdom of Saudi Arabia(Damman 2022)
Focusing on the transportation solutions for commercial vehicles and how to create value using AI technology for safety, security and efficiency.
Carlos Gascó Travesedo
Energy Policy Executive Director - Department of Energy Abu Dhabi
MSc in economics and business administration. Specialty: Economic Structure and Economic Development. Madrid, Universidad Autónoma, 1993. Mr. Gasco is fully proficient in Spanish and English and speaks German, French and Portuguese at intermediate level.
Back in 1998 he was Director of the Office of the Secretary of State for Economy and Energy of Spain. Prior, he was Adviser of the Spanish Vice-President of the Government and Secretary of the Treasury. Member of the Economic Policy Committee in the European Commission from 1997 to 2003.
In 2005, he was the General Director of the Fundación de Estudios Financieros (Financial Studies Foundation) and Assistant Secretary General of the Instituto Español de Analistas Financieros (Spanish Institute of Financial Analysts) in Madrid.
In 2007 Carlos Gascó joined Iberdrola Renewables, the Spanish energy giant as Head of the Prospective Regulation Department. From 2007 to 2011 he was Vice Chairman of the Global Wind Energy Council and Board member of the European Wind Energy Association.
In January 2011, he joined the Renewable Energy Direction of the International Energy Agency in Paris, as Senior Analyst.
In late 2012 he returned to the public sector in Spain, as Senior Advisor for Energy Policy Affairs to the Minister of Energy and later as Executive Director of the Office of the President of SEPI (Public Industrial Holding Corporation), a group of public companies with more than 80.000 employees.
From 2014 to 2018 Carlos Gascó Travesedo was Senior Advisor for International Corporate Affairs in Iberdrola, the Spanish international utility, with a workforce of over 35.000 employees and approx.80 billion euros in market capitalization. The company, is considered the largest private developer of renewable energy at global scale, strategically invests in different energy markets and technologies across four continents.
From late 2018 Carlos Gascó Travesedo has been Acting Energy Policy Executive Director in the Department of Energy (DoE) of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in the UAE. In that position, Carlos Gascó is responsible for managing three General Directorates (Policy Development, Partnership and Sector Risk and Sustainability and Energy Efficiency).
Qais Alsuwaidi
Vice President, Sustainability - TAQA Group
Qais Alsuwaidi serves as Vice President of sustainability at TAQA Group, a role he has held since September 2022. In his role, Qais supports the implementation of TAQA’s ESG Strategy and stakeholder engagement.
Prior to his role at TAQA, he served as the Director of the Climate Change Department at the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, where he led landmark national initiatives, including the UAE’s National Climate Change Plan 2050, National Climate Change Adaptation Program, UAE’s Net -Zero Strategic Initiatives, the UAE Climate Change Research Network.
Qais holds a bachelor’s degree in sciences from the University of Melbourne, a master’s degree in international law and sustainable development from the University of Paris-Sorbonne, and a master’s degree in public policy from the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government.
Taghrid Alsaeed
Executive Director, Group Communications and Destination Marketing - Miral
Taghrid Alsaeed is the Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral. She is pivotal in bolstering Miral’s overall integrated marketing communications framework, encompassing destination awareness, strategic direction, and hospitality business partnerships.
Taghrid joined Miral in early 2022 and oversees the creation and development of Miral’s brand assets for local, regional, and global campaigns as the company continues to cut through the competitive international marketplace. Under Taghrid’s leadership, Miral’s marketing department has achieved significant milestones, including entering a key partnership with the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) to strengthen the emirate’s position as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).
Abdulla Al Ameri
Vice President Human Resources - The Center of Excellence for Applied Research & Training (CERT)
Abdulla Al Ameri, Vice President – Human Resources, joined CERT (the investment arm of the Higher Colleges of Technology) in 2020. With more than 18 years of HR and strategic Leadership and Management experience since being headhunted by ADNOC in 2006, Abdulla has worked extensively in a variety of consultancy, advisory and managerial roles including that of Head and Management Advisor at the Petroleum Institute (PI) from 2010 – 2020. With a BA in Information Technology, an MBA and a Master’s in Human Resources, Abdulla has proven expertise in technology, entrepreneurial and corporate decision making, leading development strategies and coordinating all aspects of statutory compliance regulations.
Mohamed Al Marri
Director of Dissemination Department - Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi
Mohamed Ali Hamad Futais Al Marri is a pioneering Emirati technology expert with over 29 years of experience in government and semi-government sectors. As the First Arabic PHP Developer and first emirati Microsoft Certified Professional, he has led numerous large-scale technology and data analytics projects in Abu Dhabi. Al Marri currently serves as the Director of Dissemination Department and Act. Director of Research & Innovation Dept. at SCAD.
Dhababa Saeed Nasser Alrimethi
Acting Director of Community Services Operations Department - Abu Dhabi City Municipality
Acting Director of Community Services Operations Department. She holds a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s in mass communication, in addition to two diplomas in Human Resource Management. She is a certified trainer and professional career coach certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and a consultant in happiness and quality of life. She has more than 20 years of experience in employee happiness and engagement. She is the author of the book The Happiest Work Environment and holds the Best Women Leaders Award for the year 2023 within the Arabian Gulf Award for Human Resources.
Faisal Ameer Malik
Chief Technical Officer - Huawei Enterprise Business Group, Middle East
With more than 22 years of experience in the ICT sector and working for various organization from satellite communication, broadband operators and technology vendors. Faisal holds a very hands on knowledge and experience in multiple technology domains and their implementation across different industry verticals.
Faisal has led numerous ICT transformation projects of enterprise and national scale across Middle East ranging from smart city, safe city, network transformation, cloud & data centers.
As Chief Technology Officer, Faisal is responsible for the alignment and implementation of Huawei’s Middle East business strategy and technology vision and translate it to business success.
In his 16 years at Huawei, Faisal has been part of both Carrier business and Enterprise division and has always been recognized as one of top achievers in the organization.
Steve Severance
Director of Growth - Masdar City
Steve Severance oversees numerous projects that balance sustainability and economic requirements, guaranteeing each project meets sustainability, revenue, cost, and schedule targets.
Severance also leads the development of the technology lines of business, including district cooling, mobility, and smart city initiatives. He develops new business models, execution of strategies, and partnerships with leading global companies to implement technology requirements.
He has 20 years of experience in project and program management, strategy consulting, financial analysis, and economic development in the United States, Moldova, and the Middle East.
Severance holds a Master of Business Administration from San Jose State University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cedarville University in the U.S.
Suhaib Al Marzooqi
Head of Business Development - Abu Dhabi Energy Services (ADES)
With over 16 years of experience, Suhaib is a seasoned executive with solid knowledge in the Energy and Transportation sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In his current position as Head of Business Development Abu Dhabi Energy Services (ADES), Suhaib oversees the company’s project pipeline and growth opportunities.
Prior to ADES, Suhaib worked on several transportation efficiency and pollution reduction programs. He also occupied senior managerial roles in Strategic Planning and Sustainability within government organizations in the Emirate. Suhaib holds a bachelor’s degree in Management of Information System, a master’s degree with Honors in Business Administration and is currently undergoing his Doctorate program on Energy Efficiency. He is also a certified CSR Practitioner.
Ibrahim Al Jallaf
Director of Digital & Analytics - Department of Health Abu Dhabi
Suliman Al Zaben
Director of Hyundai and Genesis, UAE - Hyundai
Suliman AlZaben is a highly experienced and accomplished business executive with over 18 years of expertise in international business. Presently, he holds the position of Vice President of the Automotive Business Group at the Abu Dhabi Chamber and serves as a Board Member of the Automotive Business Group at the Dubai Chamber. In these roles, Suliman is responsible for devising and executing sales strategies that establish the organization as a market leader. His skill set encompasses various areas, including business strategic planning, forecasting, industry knowledge, interpersonal skills, and budget management.
Throughout his career, Suliman has held esteemed leadership positions at renowned automotive companies such as Hyundai and Genesis UAE, Bentley Motors, Audi, Nuqul Automotive, and Mercedes Benz-TGF. Additionally, he has demonstrated his business acumen as the former Business Development Director at Boco Mena and Business Development Manager at ITSS Global.
Currently serving as the Director of Hyundai and Genesis, UAE, Suliman oversees the company's operations in the cars, multi-purpose vehicles, and after-sales services segments. His extensive experience and expertise make him a valuable asset and cornerstone within Juma Al Majid Establishment, the exclusive distributor of Hyundai and Genesis in the UAE.
In addition, Suliman AlZaben is a staunch advocate of technological advancements, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). He recognizes the transformative potential of AI in the automotive industry and actively supports Juma Al Majid Establishment's recent partnership with Dubai Police for providing innovative mobility solutions. This collaboration aims to leverage AI-driven technologies to enhance mobility, safety, and efficiency in the region. Suliman's forward-thinking mindset and support for such initiatives demonstrate his dedication to embracing cutting-edge solutions that shape the future of the automotive sector and contribute to the overall progress of Juma Al Majid Est.
As a highly regarded professional and instrumental force behind the brand's success, Suliman exemplifies his commitment to the personal and professional growth of employees. He spearheads a comprehensive program that empowers the workforce, drives superior results, and fosters expertise in their respective fields.
Dr. Dirk Richter
Senior Advisor, Director of Health Sector Innovation - Department of Health Abu Dhabi
Dirk Richter, MD, PhD is Director “Health Sector Innovation” with the Abu Dhabi Depart-ment of Health (DoH) and associate professor of surgery. His key responsibilities in DoH is supporting entrepreneurs as well as corporate life sciences companies from all over the world to implement innovative solutions in Abu Dhabi and evaluate new technologies. Dr. Richter is leading the DoH team in HUB71, Abu Dhabi’s innovation hub.
Before joining DoH, Dirk Richter worked in the top management of different healthcare providers, with A.T. Kearney Management Consultants and in the beginning of his career as a trauma surgeon and researcher.
Dirk Richter is a board-certified surgeon as well as a health economist and co-founder of the German think tank ConceptHealth.
Dr. Ammar Jarrar
Associate Director, Commercialization, RIC-2D Research Center - Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Dr. Ammar Jarrar is a distinguished professional, currently serving as the Associate Director for Commercialisation at the Research and Innovation Center in Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D) at Khalifa University for Science and Technology. With a focus on developing and managing smart and sustainable programs, he is at the forefront of addressing crucial challenges in business development and commercialisation initiatives related to Graphene and 2D Materials.
With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Jarrar has earned global recognition as a Technical Advisor and Programs Director, demonstrating expertise in integrated water management, program management, business development, stakeholder's management, innovation, R&D, smart cities, and the water industry.
Throughout his illustrious journey, Dr. Jarrar has showcased his versatility in handling diverse program management initiatives. From operational and project management to contributing effectively and managing executive board meetings, he has consistently delivered outstanding results in the development and execution of sustainable programs.
Dr. Jarrar's profound impact extends to the successful formulation of strategic plans and implementation frameworks, leading to the design and realization of pioneering smart cities and water management initiatives. He has been instrumental in delivering highly efficient and effective programs, focusing on sustainable smart cities and innovative water strategies.
An accomplished researcher and prolific writer, Dr. Jarrar has published numerous articles and reports in esteemed journals such as WRR Journal, IAHS, ASCE, IAHR, and IRF. His contributions as an author and contributor to various reports and studies in the field of sustainability and water resources management and planning have further solidified his reputation as a thought leader in the industry.
With an unwavering commitment to advancing technology and sustainable practices, Dr. Ammar Jarrar continues to inspire and lead the way in the dynamic landscape of graphene and 2D materials research and commercialization.
Dr. Xucheng Li
Solution Director | Urban Transportation Research Institute - Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center
Dr. Xucheng Li is a professor-level senior transport engineer with over 15 years of working experience in the fields of smart city in China and UK. His research area includes multimodal demand modeling, traffic simulation, intelligent mobility and big data analysis. He worked at Atkins Global UK and participated in major transportation R&D projects as a technical lead. He is now the Solution Director at Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center, responsible for the research and delivery of smart city solutions and system platforms.
Dr. Li is also an active researcher and has led the technical team for over 20 national and local major R&D projects. He was awarded national and provincial-level scientific and technological progress prizes, and holds over 20 patents on transport modeling and big data analysis. He has also been recognized as a high-level professional talent in Shenzhen, making outstanding contributions to government decision support, transportation development, and scientific innovation.
Eng. Hamad Al Balushi
Network & Information Security Manager - Department of Digital Ajman
Currently, Hamad is Network & Information Security Manager at Department of Digital Ajman.
Specialist in Cyber Security and Digital Infrastructure, plays a vital role in the dissemination of Information Security & Cyber Security and Business continuity in today's Government.
His aspiration would be to continue in leadership roles in the security industry to deliver a significant impact on the government.
Education Qualification : Bachelor of Computer Network Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne - Australia.
Stephen Goldie
City Planning Advisor - Al Ain City Municipality
Stephen Goldie is the City Planning Advisor at Al Ain Municipality.
He has over forty years’ experience in urban planning and design, mostly at executive level.
His urban planning and design experience ranges from regional and metropolitan strategy to complex inner-city design, from high-level policy and legislation to seemingly intractable local disputes, and from detailed urban design to complex management issues, including:
An urban expansion for a third of a million people,
A high density transit oriented development; and
100 km of metro rail in three different projects.
Earlier this year Stephen received a 2023 UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure Research & Innovation Award for groundbreaking work on Artificial Intelligence Supporting Urban Planning.
Thierry Lestable
Chief Researcher, Digital Science Research Centre (DRSC) - Technology Innovation Institute
Dr. Thierry Lestable is the Chief Researcher of the Digital Science Research Center (DSRC), covering Telecom (B5G/6G) and (Cyber)Security, within the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. His main topics of interest are NextGen Mobility systems, Smart Infrastructures, Sustainable & Cognitive Cities, Generative AI/LLM (Large Language Models) for Telecom & Cybersecurity, Native AI, Large & Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (LIS/RIS), positioning signal processing, massive MIMO, Adversarial Attacks.
Before, Dr. Lestable was Director, heading the e-Mobility & Automotive Business Department from Sagemcom (France), addressing Market and Products challenges raising from Intelligent & Connected Vehicles (Telematics, DMS, ADAS), to micro-mobility (e-Bikes). Dr. Lestable was member of the Steering Committee from FIEV Federation, which represents major Automotive Equipment Suppliers, where he promoted the benefits of A.I for road safety.
Prior to Automotive, he was heading the Industrial IoT Business Department, designing and manufacturing connected devices, and platforms for the industry (Smart City, Asset Management, Smart Grid, …), rolling out LPWAN Networks worldwide. Earlier, as Head of IoT Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, he actively participated to the Launch of IoT LoRa™ Alliance, being granted the position of Vice-chair for the Strategy Committee in June 2015, then from October 2015 till 2017 was the Vice-Chairman of the Alliance. Dr. Lestable has +25 years’ experience in the Telecom, Mobility and Energy industry, steering industrial innovation, from spark of ideas to prototypes, products, standards, and systems, rolling-out networks, whilst leading new businesses, within organizations such as Alcatel, Samsung, and Sagemcom. He received both Engg. Degree from Supélec (France) in 1997, and Ph.D., in 2003 from Supélec/Paris Sud-Orsay.
Dr. Lestable is author of 35+ international publications, 20+ patents, editor of 1 Wiley Book on Advanced Channel Coding, co-author in 2 Wiley Books on B3G/4G systems, was Telecom Expert for the European Commission, Eureka Cluster CELTIC, and the French National Research Agency (ANR). He was Chair of the M2M Expert Group in eMobility European Technology Platform. In 2010, Dr. Lestable was member of the Telecom Steering committee of Systematic, a competitiveness pole, and created the IoT/M2M course in Supélec, where he was visiting lecturer for 7 years.
Wasim Beg
Senior Director – Smart City - Core42
An accomplished professional currently serving as the Director of Smart City Solutions at Core42. In this capacity, my primary responsibility revolves around conceptualizing and realizing the next generation of urban and enterprise offerings. These encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from Smart Grids and innovative Smart Traffic Management systems to robust Public Safety, AI integration, Digital Twin solutions, and Industry 4.0.
Previously served as the Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation at Core42, where I played a key role in designing and implementing many critical and strategic nationwide digital and smart city initiatives for UAE government and private enterprise. Additionally, I am honoured to be an active member of the design authority at Hassantuk, a sweeping safety and security program overseen by the UAE Ministry of Interior.
Spanning a career of two decades, I have extensive expertise in Digital Transformation, Smart Cities, and Enterprise Solution Architecture. A significant portion of this journey has been dedicated to steering digital transformation endeavours at a leadership level, which brings a wealth of knowledge to my role. Prior to joining Core42, I led the Enterprise Asset Management practice at Siemens SIS division, where I held various roles in Solution Consulting, New Product Development, and end-to-end Digital Transformation project delivery for customers across the Middle East from different industrial domains such as Oil & gas, Utility, and manufacturing.
I began my career with TATA Consulting Services in consulting domain, working in the USA, India, and Europe in various capacities, including consulting and delivery leadership roles.
I am very passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, AI, Digital Twins and blockchain to create innovative solutions and products that aid customers in navigating market disruption and believe in the power of technology to solve both global and enterprise problems.
I hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institution of Technology in India and a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Mastery from the MIT Sloan School of Management, USA.
Eng. Bader Al Otibi
Urban Planner - Al Ain City Municipality
My name is Bader Mushabeb Al-Otibi, an architect and a town planner by profession, had my bachelor degree of Architectural Engineering form a UAE University in year 2007. During my professional journey spanning over a decade, had been associated with excellent organizations in both government and private sector.
Just to name a few, Al Ain Municipality a government organization responsible for the development of Al Ain Region, Masder , a leader in the provision of an innovative approach to green and clean housing, M/s Fosters + Partners and CH2M Hill a leading professional consultants in the fields of urban planning and infrastructure development.
Played a central role in shaping up the urban fabric of Al Ain Region, lead various planning teams to develop plans for new neighborhoods, industrial areas and safeguarding futuristic transport modes requirements at local and regional level. Have also provided an inspiration and technical input in formulating policies and design guidelines, critical review and evaluation of major development projects and liaison with government and semi-government bodies for a coordinated effort.
Ali Ahmed Ali AlAli
AI Research & Development Manager - Tahaluf
I am Ali AlAli, an accomplished AI R&D Manager with a proven track record of spearheading innovative projects that leverage cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies to enhance various aspects of urban infrastructure and transportation systems.
In my role as the AI R&D Manager for the Darb Tolling System in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Integrated Transport Center (ITC), I led a dynamic team of AI and software professionals in the development of a state-of-the-art Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) solution. Our mission was to revolutionize tolling operations by delivering unmatched performance and accuracy. Our ANPR solution surpassed regional and local alternatives, achieving an outstanding processing speed of over 1 million transactions per day and an accuracy rate exceeding 99.1%. This achievement significantly improved the efficiency and accuracy of vehicle identification and toll collection processes.
Furthermore, I played a pivotal role as the AI R&D Manager in the implementation of the Fill & Go ANPR system for Automated Fuel Payment at ADNOC Distribution gas stations. Our team developed high-performance AI algorithms that not only accurately identified vehicles but also automated fuel payments and car wash transactions, enhancing customer convenience. By deploying this system across multiple gas stations, we elevated industry standards for fuel payment automation, streamlining operational processes and improving the overall customer experience.
Additionally, I led a groundbreaking project in partnership with the Department of Municipalities & Transport (DMT) to automate city inspections using AI. We developed an end-to-end product equipped with advanced AI technologies installed in mobile vehicles. These vehicles, would cover a vast area of 49,795 sqm in Abu Dhabi, detected and identified city distortions and road issues in real-time. My role involved overseeing AI algorithm development, ensuring seamless integration with hardware and software teams, and achieving accurate and efficient detection of road-related anomalies. This project represented a significant advancement in urban infrastructure monitoring and maintenance, contributing to enhanced safety and improved overall road quality.
In summary, my extensive experience as an AI R&D Manager in Abu Dhabi demonstrates my ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in developing groundbreaking AI solutions that improve transportation systems, fuel payment automation, and urban infrastructure monitoring. My commitment to innovation and excellence has consistently driven the success of these projects, setting new standards in the field of artificial intelligence and urban development.
Lee Parker
Expert Sustainable and Future Mobility - Integrated Transport Centre
Lee Parker is an experienced transport planner with over 25 years working in the sector both in the UAE and overseas. He is an expert in sustainable and future mobility and is currently focusing on autonomous transport and the transition to electrification. Lee is passionate about developing a safe and sustainable future. He was the former Director of a large municipality in the UK covering infrastructure and planning and is now a subject matter expert for the Integrated Transport Centre.
Mohamed Moselhy
Regional Vertical Leader, Smart Cities - Honeywell Building Technologies (HBT), Middle East, Turkey and Africa
Mohamed Moselhy is the Regional Vertical Leader for Smart Cities in the Middle East, Turkey & Africa (META) for Honeywell Building Technologies. In his role he focuses on providing professional domain expertise services to governments and city customers on how to establish a smart/safe city and protect the critical assets, systems and networks, whether physical or virtual to avoid any destructions that could affect the security stability, the national economic security and/or the national public health and safety and enhance the city livability standards and citizen engagement. Mohamed is serving in that position since 2019.
Mohamed is part of Honeywell’s organization for more than 13 years focused on Defense, Automation, Energy, Smart Cities, Security and Safety industries and has held multi positions in his career with engineering, operations, services, solutions design and sales & business development groups on commercial, defense and government programs across the Middle East, Turkey, Central Asia & Africa.
Prior joining Honeywell, Mohamed served in the Egyptian Air force (EAF) HQ as an officer for 3 years and was part of the R&D group.
Prior joining the Military, Mohamed spent time within the MEP industries focused on ELV solutions.
Mohamed holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Electronics and Electrical Communications Engineering from Cairo University in Egypt. He is a certified Six Sigma Greenbelt and completed successfully multiple leadership and strategic marketing programs and is certified on multiple security and safety systems for commercial and military applications and an active member of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS).
Yangbo Guo
Vice General Manager - Shenzhen Smart City Group
With more than two decades of professional experience in the realm of smart cities, Guo Yangbo has successfully overseen numerous one-stop digital solution projects across 70 countries worldwide. His extensive expertise lies in the areas of cloud computing, network communications, and other digital foundations crucial to the development of smart cities. In his previous role, he held the responsibility of managing network security and infrastructure across 13 countries and regions in Southeast Asia. Presently, Guo Yangbo is spearheading the comprehensive management of projects at Shenzhen Smart City Group, with a primary focus on the construction of digital twin cities.
Borja García de Soto
Assistant Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering - New York University Abu Dhabi
Borja García de Soto is an Assistant Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) and a Global Network Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Urban Engineering at the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University (NYU). He is the director of the S.M.A.R.T. Construction Research Group at NYUAD and conducts research in the areas of automation and robotics in construction, cybersecurity in the AEC industry, artificial intelligence, lean construction, and BIM. He is a member of the Editorial Board of Automation in Construction, Associate Editor for the Smart and Sustainable Built Environment journal, and the General Secretary of the International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC). He is a Professional Engineer registered in California and Florida and has international experience in multiple aspects of construction projects.
Borja received his PhD from ETH Zurich in Switzerland. He also holds an MSc in Civil Engineering with a concentration in engineering and project management from the University of California at Berkeley, an MSc in Civil Engineering with a concentration in structural design from Florida International University (FIU), and a BSc in Civil Engineering (graduated cum laude) also from FIU.
Lukas Sokol
Head, Master Planning, City Design and Sustainable Planning - Masdar City
Lukas Sokol is responsible for the Masdar City master plan including land use, transportation, public realm, development approvals, and sustainability.
His team explores the latest strategies and technologies to pioneer a new model of development in which people live more meaningful, productive, and sustainable lives.
Prior to joining Masdar City, Sokol came to the UAE to help with the founding of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, where he managed the Urban Design Studio for more than a decade. His work focused on development reviews, urban design, and master planning for the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Sokol has worked internationally in planning and urban design for over 20 years. He is passionate about designing cities that enable people to live meaningful lives and continues to research and lecture on city urban planning and design.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Arizona in the U.S. He also holds a master’s degree in cities from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Wissam Hijazi
Senior Director of Innovation - EllisDon MENA
Wissam holds the position of Senior Director of Innovation at EllisDon MENA region. His primary responsibility is to manage the creation and execution of creative digital delivery approaches for EllisDon's operations, which is a part of the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services. With over 17 years of experience in developing and implementing BIM and VDC applications for Design-Build-Operate projects, Wissam possesses a diverse range of skills and knowledge in the Digital Project Delivery industry. He is currently leading a team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to design solutions for implementing digital twin and smart building technologies.
Dr. Mohammad Khaled
Member of the Board of Advisors - Abu Dhabi University
Dr. Mohammad Khaled - Safe Digital Thought Leader, has been chosen as one of GLOBAL 200 POWER LEADERS IN Technology 2023 from the UAE
With over two decades of experience, Dr. Mohammad Khaled is a leading figure in technology and business. His ability to envision and implement pragmatic tech strategies has resulted in considerable outcomes.
A transformative leader, Dr. Khaled's strategic thinking, mentoring, and advising have left a lasting mark on private and public sectors. His leadership has fostered innovation and empowered high-performing teams.
Dr. Khaled's talent for catalyzing growth is demonstrated by his success in leading companies through stages like inception, transformation, merger, acquisition, and revamping. Under his leadership, these companies have become industry leaders.
Working with organizations like e& enterprise, G42, the Department of Energy, and Department of Finance, Dr. Khaled has accrued diverse experience. His strategic influence and technical expertise have fostered advancements across multiple sectors and positioned him as a crucial asset.
In the regional AI and cloud computing sector, Dr. Khaled is a pioneer. His guidance in developing and deploying advanced technological solutions, especially in the public sector, has been instrumental in AI advancement and infrastructure enhancement.
Dr. Khaled's expertise extends to cybersecurity and digital transformation, where he's built secure infrastructures, ensuring seamless integration of IT with Operational Technology (OT), driving organizations towards a safer digital future.
His solutions transcend conventional approaches. His understanding of sector-specific needs, and insight into how AI can be securely and effectively used, have set an industry standard.
His significant contributions have safeguarded sectors against evolving cybersecurity threats, showing technology's potential to revolutionize operations, functionality, and security. His achievements underscore technology's transformative power when aligned with sector-specific needs and security principles.
In academia, Dr. Khaled serves on the boards of Abu Dhabi University and the British University in Dubai, imparting his expertise to groom the next generation of innovators.
Holding a PhD, a Master's in Engineering Management, and a Bachelor's in Computer Science, Dr. Khaled's contributions to scholarly publications, especially in governance, risk, compliance, and smart government services, reflect his commitment to knowledge advancement.
In essence, Dr. Khaled is more than a professional; he's a visionary leader, strategist, and harbinger of positive change. His approach to technology and business exhibits exceptional leadership and a strategic vision that is both forward-thinking and practical.
Fakhreddine (Fakhri) Karray
Professor of Machine Learning - Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
Before joining MBZUAI as Provost and Professor of Machine Learning, Karray served as the founding co-director of the University of Waterloo AI Institute. He has held the Loblaws Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence in the department of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Waterloo, Canada.
Karray was honored in 2021 by the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society (VTS) for his novel work on improving traffic flow prediction using weather Information in connected cars through deep learning and tools of AI.
Fakhri has published extensively in the general field of pattern analysis and machine intelligence and is the author of 20 US registered patents. artificial, biological, and social systems.
Fakhri is the co-founder and Chief Scientist of Yourika.ai, a provider of AI-based online learning systems. He is a Fellow of IEEE, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada.
Mujtaba Mir
Senior Solutions Engineer - Vmware
Mujtaba Mir is an experienced Solutions Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and security industry. He is highly skilled in network, application, and datacenter security and is known for his capabilities to understand customer demands to provide solutions accordingly. His current role at VMware focuses on introducing the NSX portfolio to customers and partners across the region. He generally spends his time delivering technical workshops and demonstrations to customers embracing Private, Public or Hybrid Cloud in the environments.
AbdelRahman Fahmy
Managing Director - ECO hubs Ltd
Abdelrahman Fahmy is a Visionary Social and Environmental Entrepreneur who is dedicated to empowering innovations in Sustainable Economic and Environmental Development.
Abdelrahman founded a couple of businesses and Social Enterprises in the field of Sustainable development, circular economy, and climate change.
Up to date, Abdelrahman’s Ventures supported more than 7000 Beneficiary in the field of Sustainable development education, 200 Clean tech Startup Businesses Mainly in the MENA region and globally and more than 200 SMEs in their sustainable business development and Circular Transformation.
Jorge Carrasco
Managing Director, Blockchain and Digital Assets - FTI Consulting
Jorge Carrasco is a Blockchain and Web3 expert and enthusiast with more than 15 years of experience building and developing lines of business related to emerging technologies. He currently supports clients in developing strategies for enterprise blockchain implementations, advises clients from multinational enterprises to start-ups on their value proposition and product-market fit in the Middle East and gets involved in complex virtual assets regulatory matters.
Mr. Carrasco is a prominent member of the Middle East blockchain industry, involved with numerous organizations, events and endeavours across blockchain, NFT and Web3.
Amira Mohammed (EMCEE)
Journalist and TV Presenter - Abu Dhabi T.V.
Amira Mohammed is a Journalist and TV Presenter known for her insightful contributions to media and broadcasting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With a varied selection of thought-provoking programs such as "The Space and Future," "Artificial Intelligence: Future Begins Now," "Abu Dhabi Translate," "Seed," about food security, and high-profile interviews in "The Promise of Fifty", Amira engages and informs viewers on key topics shaping the future.
Amira's journalistic skills led her to cover significant national events in the UAE firsthand. Her coverage included the historic launch of the Emirates Mars Mission 'Hope Probe,' the grand inauguration of Expo 2020 in Dubai, and the unveiling of the groundbreaking Museum of the Future, and much more.
Amira's educational background is impressive, with a Journalism degree from the Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication, Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies from American University in Dubai, and a Master of Arts in Diplomacy from the American University in the UAE.
Amira Mohammed's remarkable talent, dedication, and her capacity to deliver informative and engaging content have established her as a highly regarded presence within the realm of journalism and broadcasting. Her influence extends throughout the local media landscape in the UAE, where she continues to inspire and inform.