ABLF conclave to feature tech leaders, climate change experts
Top tech leaders, educationists and climate change and biodiversity activists from the GCC and the rest of Asia will headline the power-packed ABLF Talks, part of the 15th Annual edition of the prestigious global ABLF Leadership Series in 2021.
Held under the presence and patronage of Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak al Nahayan, cabinet member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, UAE, the ABLF debuts at the Expo 2020 Dubai, the mega trade fair bringing together 190 nations, in association with UAE Ministry of Economy and Dubai Cares, the world’s largest NGO for education for marginalised children, a press release said.
Featuring over 100 global leaders in virtual conversations around urgent socio-economic issues, the hybrid ABLF Talks at the Expo 2020 Dubai will have in-person sessions livestreamed to an audience of over 50,000 worldwide on October 25, setting the stage for the monthly event with icons from varied sectors in impactful dialogues.
These conversations of consequence are powered by four innovative superbrands including the India-based Aditya Birla
Group, a US$45bn conglomerate, and Fortune 500 company - Zand, which is driving the significant tech-led narratives of the post-pandemic era as the first digital bank in the world to provide retail and corporate banking, UAE’s DP World, the global supply chain solutions giant who returns to the ABLF stage as a Legacy Partner, as does Etisalat, the world’s fastest mobile network.
Occurring through the 6 months of the Expo 2020 Dubai, the ABLF Talks will promote narratives of tolerance, resilient leadership, innovation, sustainability, new technology and financial inclusion - values that resonate with the Arab world - through the voices of some of Asia’s most admired leaders.
Accordingly, the ABLF Talks’ speaker list at the October edition includes financial inclusion advocate Olivier Crespin, (CEO and co-founder, Zand, UAE) who brings over 20 years of extensive expertise in banking and FinTech across Latin America, the USA and Asia, Maaz Sheikh, CEO and cofounder, STARZPLAY, MENA’s leading video streaming service, Dr Tiffany Delport, cofounder of the Possibilities Project: Eco Edition, Marine
Conservation Specialist and Environmental Consultant, Dr Theresa Mundita S Lim, executive director, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Major Ali Saqr Sultan al Suwaidi, secretary of the Board for Emirates Nature – WWF, and Sheikh Dr Majid Sultan al Qassimi, the Arab world’s leading expert in food technology, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity.
The discussions at the ABLF Talks are a tribute to the giant strides made by the GCC countries over the years in varied sectors as they now come together to resolve the challenges presented by the pandemic.
In the past, Oman has played a prominent role in these Asia-led conversations at the ABLF with the participation of leaders like H E Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al Rumhy, Minister of Energy and Minerals and H E Khalil Abdullah al Khonji, chairman, Al Khonji Group, Hind Bahwan, founder and chairperson, Bahwan CyberTek Group, among others.
Speaking on the significance of the ABLF Talks, H H Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak al Nahyan, patron of the ABLF since 2007, said, “Our region and the entire world is faced with unprecedented challenges that will require a collaboration of our best and brightest thinkers to navigate successfully. We remain confident that together we will continue to meet the regional and global challenges of our times with the spirit of creativity and optimism as we seek to 'recover, rebuild and rise’ - the underlying motto of the ABLF Talks.”
Malini N Menon, president and co-founder of the ABLF, said, “As a platform that has always celebrated inclusivity, sustainability and innovation, the ABLF Talks reflects Asia’s post-pandemic recovery and socio-economic zeitgeist. We are delighted to propel this vision through our varied initiatives in conjunction with our partners and global speakers who are each committed to making the world a better place.”
The ABLF has also onboarded a line-up of partners who lead their business with a sustainability and development narrative, with CNBC Arabia (Broadcast Partner) and Hindustan Times, Khaleej Times, Arab News, Muscat Daily (Media Partners) UNICEF and FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) as Strategic Partners.