His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was appointed as Prime Minister of the State of Qatar on March 7th, 2023 through Amiri Decree No. (2) of 2023, while maintaining his position as Minister of Foreign Affairs since January 27, 2016. In His Excellency’s capacity as Prime Minister, his main priorities include advising His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the formation of ministries in the country, and assisting His Highness the Amir in performing his duties and exercising his roles. His Excellency also leads the sessions of the Council of Ministers, including managing its discussions and supervising the coordination of work between the various ministries to achieve unity between governmental agencies and ensure the integration of their activities. In his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency has prioritized promoting and expanding the country's bilateral and multilateral strategic relations and strengthening the status of the State of Qatar at both regional and international levels, as well as leading efforts to promote international peace and security. His Excellency is responsible for supervising and implementing the foreign policy of the State of Qatar to achieve its objectives. His Excellency has also sponsored Qatari mediation efforts in many regional crises over the past years, which contributed to reducing escalation and violence in various parts of the world and resulted in the signing of a number of peace agreements between various conflicting parties.  Alongside his position as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) since 2014, which promotes the development of societies around the world by supporting education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and addressing climate change, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. His Excellency also supervises QFFD’s projects in more than 70 countries around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, and has directed the fund's support towards primary and secondary education, in addition to the public health and economic development sectors in particular.  His Excellency has also been a member of the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment since 2014. The Supreme Council is responsible for economic and energy affairs, investment of the country’s reserves, drafting the state's general policies in the economic, financial, commercial, and energy fields, and approving the priorities of public spending.  In addition to his aforementioned roles, His Excellency has invested in a number of successful economic projects and contributed to the establishment of several projects aimed at diversifying the local economy and attracting foreign direct investments, including launching programs that aim to encourage entrepreneurial joint ventures and support the State of Qatar’s economic growth.

Khalid Albaih is a Sudanese independent political cartoonist renowned for his incisive human rights advocacy, shared globally under the name “Khartoon.” His powerful cartoons have been exhibited worldwide, and his writings have appeared in major international publications. Albaih was the central figure in The Guardian’s short documentary The Story of Civil Rights is Unfinished (2016) and has published two influential books: Khartoon! and Sudan Retold, an art book he co-edited, featuring contributions from 31 Sudanese artists documenting Sudan’s rich history.His work extends beyond drawing, with installations like Bahar, a poignant video piece using found footage of refugees at sea; The Walls Have Ears (Documenta 15), and Shahid (Mathaf, Qatar, 2024), all exploring themes of displacement and social justice. In 2024, he broadened his influence by hosting Alhasil Shino? on AJ+. As editor-in-chief of KhartoonMag.com, a platform for displaced Sudanese cartoonists, and creator of the award-winning Doha Fashion Fridays, which amplifies marginalized voices, Albaih remains a vital force in art activism, championing global social justice and freedom of expression.

Dr. Guled Abdijalil Ali is the Director General at the Federal Ministry of Health Somalia. He took over this role at a very critical time one year ago when Somalia was experiencing the worse drought in history. Before that, Dr. Guled was the Head of the Emergency department at the Federal Ministry of Health. Dr. Guled has worked with several humanitarian partners including United Nations agencies and various NGOs. He has been instrumental in the formulating and implementation of health policies with the goal of enhancing the accessibility of healthcare services in Somalia. He is a Medical Doctor specializing in Nephrology and Public Health Specialist and his work focuses on healthcare policy development, public health system strengthening, and health environment sustainability.

Dr. Hanan Abdul Rahim is a Professor of Public Health (Epidemiology) and Dean of the College of Health Sciences at Qatar University since 2020. Between 2008 and August 2017, she was the Associate Director of the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at Qatar University, and she is one of the founders of the Public Health B.Sc. program in 2012 and the Master in Public Health (MPH) program in 2015. Dr. Abdul Rahim is recognized for her expertise in epidemiology and public health education. She has led numerous Qatar-based public health studies on issues including COVID-19 resilience and women’s health and serves on several high-profile committees, including the WHO's Steering Committee of the National Workforce Capacity Roadmap and the Lancet Commission on Evidence-based Implementation in Global Health. Dr Abdul Rahim's research, published in leading journals, focuses on the equitable translation of evidence into practice, supported by her extensive collaborations with national and international public health stakeholders

Hussain Abdullah Hussain is a senior adviser at Rhymes.AI, a California based artificial intelligence company, with a specific focus on working with governments, helping them conceptualize and execute homegrown capability development. He was previously Executive Director at the Office of Tony Blair, where he led Prime Minister Blair’s advisory business, directly supporting Presidents and Prime Ministers with decision-making, whole of government execution and (geo) political strategy. Earlier, he was at Booz Allen Hamilton (New York and Washington D.C), working across the firm’s political affairs and private equity practices. Prior to that- he had stints at a bulge bracket private equity firm, the United Nations Security Council and a foreign policy think tank in New York. Over the past two decades, Husain has led engagements driving flagship projects in areas that span- technology, infrastructure, energy, natural resources, climate action, transport, telecom/media, trade agreements, defense/national security cooperation and major summit preparation (G-7, G-20, QUAD, COP, GCC, UNGA). He has worked with heads of government and major global funds in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Hussain is a member of the World Economic Forum’s geopolitical affairs council.

Al Mahboub Abdelsalam Author & Journalist, published many books the most known is Islamic Movement in Sudan (The First Ten Years under the Islamists Rule). Regular articles writer in different Arabic papers as well as websites and social media. Many TV interviews in different topics in politics & intellectual issues. Studied philosophy and sociology and post graduate in Islamic Studies. Head of external information department in ministry of information Sudan 1990-1993. General Director of Intellectual Works Institution Sudan 1993-2000. General Secretary of Enlightened Arab Association based Aman Jordan.

Razi Ahmed is the Chairman of Alhamra, Lahore Arts Council. He is also the Founder and CEO of Lahore Literary Festival Society, an independent and not-for-profit entity. DAWN, Open Democracy, huffington post, dissent and scroll have published op-eds authored by Mr Ahmed. He's been interviewed by DAWN and TANK.

Lord Ahmad is a prominent British Conservative politician and life peer in the House of Lords, ennobled by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2011. He is an experienced and widely respected Foreign Minister, diplomat, British businessman, and community leader. He is recognized for his outstanding contributions across various domains, but most notably in foreign policy and international relations, where he became the longest serving British Foreign Minister in over 50 years, serving under 5 Prime Ministers.  Lord Ahmad is particularly known for his work in conflict resolution and mediation, human rights, religious freedom, and women’s rights and empowerment. His portfolio responsibilities included, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia and the United Nations. As practicing Muslim, he has been active in interfaith dialogue and is a vocal advocate for religious tolerance. His work often focuses on fostering understanding and cooperation between different faiths, which he has championed both within the UK and in international forums.  Alongside his ministerial responsibilities, he, both established the role and then served as the UK’s first-ever Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2018. He was also appointed and served for 7 years as the UK’s Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) and in 2022 established and chaired The International Alliance of on PSVI.  His commitment to public service in the UK is exemplary and he’s respected internationally, across communities and the political spectrum, having made a significant and lasting impact during his continuous ministerial tenure, over the last 12 years covering Communities, Counter Terrorism, Aviation and Foreign and Development Affairs. Lord Ahmad was recognised for outstanding services to international relations and global affairs in 2024 by HM King Charles III, being made a Knight Commander of the Order St. Michael and St George (KCMG) and also awarded The Coronation Medal in 2023 for services to the nation.  Lord Ahmad is a Chartered Banker ACIB (Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers) and before entering politics, had a successful career across the banking, fund management and commodities sectors. He worked at NatWest Group, where he gained considerable experience in finance , strategy and marketing and eventually took on senior management roles, including a lead role on preparing corporate businesses for the introduction of the new €uro currency . He also worked as Vice President (EMEA) in New York and London for Alliance Bernstein, a global investment funds management firm and then served as Strategy and Marketing Director for Sucden Financial, a leading City broker, financial intermediary, and ring member of The London Metals Exchange. This experience brought a distinct perspective to his later work in government, particularly on economic and international policy.

The General Manager and Chairperson of “Fikra for Studies and Development” and one of the leading figures in the political, cultural and intellectual life in Sudan. Since the seventies of the last century, he has been a leading figure in the struggle for democracy, social change, & the national project for building a post-independent state in Sudan. He played a leading role in the peace negotiations in Sudan. He is an active participant in local, regional and international conferences, seminars, symposia, and he is a weekly writer in many local & international newspapers. Examples of his works: The roots of the Sudanese crisis and the way out, Religion and the state in Sudan, The renaissance project to build a modern Sudanese state, Theories of change in Sudan, When ideology falls, Sudan and the international community, The Arab spring, Renewal of the political thoughts & thinking and Conflicts in the Middle East & the Horn of Africa. He published three books: The tribe and politics in Sudan, The intellectual and change (electronic book), From Marxism to Truth (a chapter in the book “Trends of Contemporary Arab Thought”.

Dr. Muyi Aina is the Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nigeria, where he is leading efforts to reform the Nigeria's primary health care system. His goal is to ensure that all Nigerians have access to equitable and high-quality health services through a trusted system. He is rebranding NPHCDA to make it fit for purpose to enable it transform the Nigerian PHC system, including addressing infrastructure gaps, improve the availability of health workers, and increase federal funding for primary health care facilities. Dr. Aina is also strengthening routine immunization and redesigning community engagement to ensure 24/7 access to integrated health services at local PHC centers.With over 25 years of experience in healthcare leadership, consulting, and research, Dr. Aina has led various public health initiatives, including health systems development, healthcare financing, and global health security. Prior to his appointment as NPHCDA CEO in 2023, he was a senior management and health systems consultant.He holds an MBBS from the University of Ilorin, an MPH in International Health Policy from Harvard, and a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University. He has professional certifications from Johns Hopkins, Cambridge, and Stanford. Dr. Aina has helped design HIV/AIDS programs serving over 700,000 people across multiple countries and published 27 articles with about 7,000 reads and 350 citations.

H.E. Mr Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari has extensive experience in government and the financial industry, spanning over 30 years. Prior to being appointed as the Minister of Finance in October 2021, he held the position of Minister of Trade and Industry. H.E. became QNB Chief Executive Officer in July 2013 and held this position until 2018.

His Excellency Munir Akram assumed his position as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary on 01 November 2019. In 2020-21, Ambassador Akram served as the seventy-sixth President of the Economic and Social Council. In 2022, he held the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 in New York.  Ambassador Akram previously served as Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York for six years between 2002 and 2008, after serving as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva for seven years from 1995 to 2002.  During his first term at the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram served twice as President of the Security Council in May 2003 and in May 2004; President of the Economic and Social Council in 2005; Chairman of the Group of 77 and China (developing countries) in 2007, and Facilitator on UN Administrative Reform in 2006.  Among the positions he held in various intergovernmental organizations were: Member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament; Chairman of the WTO Trade Policy Review Body; President of the Conference on Disarmament (June 1996).  Between 1988 and 1992, Munir Akram was Pakistan’s Ambassador to the European Council, Belgium and Luxemburg. Ambassador Akram joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1967, holding various positions in the Foreign Ministry including Additional Foreign Secretary and Director-General dealing with the United Nations.  He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Karachi. He is a prolific writer and has lectured and published several articles and papers on various strategic, political and economic issues.  In recognition of his selfless service and outstanding performance in the field of diplomacy and foreign policy, he was conferred the Award of Hilal-i-Quaid-e-Azam by the President of Pakistan.

Ambassador in The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dr. Majed Al-Ansari serves as the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and is the official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this capacity, he regularly engages with the media, providing insights on Qatar's foreign affairs to both local and international audiences. He also heads the Center for International Policy Research of Qatar which focuses on regional and international geopolitical trends and North-South relations. Dr. Al-Ansari previously served as director of policy at the Institute of Social & Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at Qatar University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Leeds University and earned his MA and PhD in Social Change from the University of Manchester.

1992: He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the rank of diplomatic attaché in the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait.1993 – 1997: Appointed to the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to Japan.1997 – 2001: Appointed to the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to Austria and the Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations in Vienna.2001: Appointed to the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the United States of America.2007: Promotion to the rank of counselor during service at the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the United States of America.2011: Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the United States of America2012 – 2013: Deputy Director of the Undersecretary’s Office Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.2013 – 2016: Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Korea.2016- 2022: Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Kingdom of Belgium.2016-2022: Head of the State of Kuwait’s mission to NATO.2017- 2022: Head of the Mission of the State of Kuwait to the European Union.2022- 2023: Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the United States of America.

Advisor on Foreign Relations to the Prime Minister of Iraq Farhad Alaaldin is an Advisor on Foreign Relations to the Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammad Shia AlSudani. He is Head of the Iraqi Advisory Council and previously served as Political Advisor to Presidents Barham Saleh and Fuad Masum. Earlier, he was Chief of Staff (2009–2011) and Senior Advisor (2011–2012) to the Prime Minister of the Kurdish Regional Government. Farhad holds a BA in Law from AlBayan University, Baghdad, and Masters Degree in Leading Innovation and Change from York St. John University, UK.

Dr. Ranj Alaaldin is a foreign policy specialist with over 20 years of experience covering international security, good governance, track II diplomacy, and public sector reforms. Dr. Alaaldin obtained his PhD at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he obtained degrees in international law. He was previously a fellow at Columbia University, King's College London and Brookings Institution. He is a fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Oxford University and a Senior Consultant at the World Bank. He has presented his work at the World Bank, the House of Commons, and the UK Foreign Affairs Committee. Alaaldin has published in academic journals and writes for the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Policy.

Ambassador Al Assad Worked for over 45 years within the system of the League of Arab States. In 2002, he established the Department of Disarmament & Arms Control within the Arab League. He was responsible for coordinating Arab positions on arms control and disarmament issues at different international forums and proposing policies to Arab League’s decision taking bodies. From 2010 to 2014 he was appointed “High Representative of the Arab League Secretary General for Disarmament and Regional Security”. From 2014 to 2018 he was appointed Permanent Observer / Ambassador of the League of Arab States to Austria and to the International Organizations in Vienna. Then from 2018 to 2022 he worked as an Expert / Advisor to the National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons in Qatar. He is a member of a number of research centers & think tanks, advisor to UNIDIR. on ME Project Member of the Advisory Board of the UNSG on Disarmament Matters (2013-2017), Member of the Council of International Pugwash and the Executive Board, since 2013 until now. Member of the Board of the Vienna Centre for Disarmament & Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) 2014 - 2018. He has a number of published papers and articles.

Dr. Irini Albanti is the Executive Director at Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI), a Lecturer in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and a Lecturer of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She develops strategies to execute HHI’s mission and amplify its social impact. She leads the strategic, operational, financial, and administrative management of HHI and oversees programs in humanitarian research and education. She is a purpose-driven leader committed to social impact and reducing health and social inequities globally by bridging public health, science, and business strategies. Since 2001, she has held leadership positions in the nonprofit, academic, and healthcare fields with a focus on strategy, operations, philanthropy, partnership building, stakeholder engagement, and impact measurement. Her personal motto is “feel like an NGO, run like a business” which reflects her entrepreneurial acumen and evidence-based, systematic approach to running an organization while inspired by its mission. She regularly collaborates with WHO and UN agencies, foundations, NGOs, donors, governments, corporations, hospitals, and other entities on advocacy, policy, and implementation of global health efforts.

He is a thinker and university professor. He has more than 25 books published and is the winner of King Faisal International Prize in Literature.

Faozi Al-Goidi is a researcher at the Middle East Council and holds a Master’s degree in History from the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies in Qatar. His research focuses on the modern and contemporary history of Yemen and the Gulf region, with a particular emphasis on social movements, conflict resolution, and state formation processes. Al-Goidi has made significant contributions through his in-depth analyses, with studies and articles published on leading Arabic platforms. Additionally, he has participated in numerous international conferences, presenting research papers that have enriched academic discussions on historical and political issues in the Arab world.

Mr. Al-Khater has been member of the Shura Council since 2021. Currently, he is Chairman of the Shura Council’s Internal and External Affairs Committee; Member of the Advisory Board of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); and Chairman of Qatar Parliamentary Friendship Group with the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. During his diplomatic career, he worked at the Office of the State Minister for Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in 2006, then served as a consul in Houston, Texas, the United States (2007-2011) and ambassador in Australia and later the United Kingdom until 2021. Prior, Mr. Al-Khater worked at the Ministry of Education during the period from 1992 to 2006, as an educational researcher in the Research Department of the Ministry. Furthermore, Mr. Al-Khater holds Master of Public Administration from the American University – Washington, D.C. (2000). He represented Qatar as member of the Executive Councils of the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

Muhammad Ali Pate is the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare in Nigeria. He leads Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative to improve the health of all Nigerians. Until August 2023, he was the Julio Frenk Professor of Public Health Leadership at Harvard University’s Chan School and Co-chair of the Future of Health and Economic Resilience in Africa (FHERA). He served as the Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population for the World Bank Group from 2019 to 2021, where he led the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also led Big Win Philanthropy from 2015 to 2018 and served as a visiting professor at Duke University’s Global Health Institute from 2013 to 2015. As Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health (2011-2013), Dr. Pate made significant contributions to polio eradication, vaccine introduction, and primary healthcare through the Save One Million Lives initiative. He also served as the CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) from 2008-2011. He earned his MBBS degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and underwent postgraduate training at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he holds a Master of Science in Health Systems Management from University College London and an MBA from Duke University.

Jon B. Alterman is a senior vice president, holds the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and is director of the Middle East Program at CSIS. Prior to joining CSIS in 2002, he served as a member of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. Department of State and as a special assistant to the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, and from 2009-2019 he served as a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel. Alterman has lectured in more than 35 countries on five continents on subjects related to the Middle East and U.S. policy toward the region. He is the author or coauthor of four books on the Middle East and the editor of five more. In addition to his academic work, he is sought out as a consultant to business and government and is a frequent commentator in print, on radio, and on television. His opinion pieces have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and other major publications.

Professor Aly is a tenured Professor of Economics at Ohio State University; before joining Nile University as Dean of the Business School in May 2017, he served as the Founding Dean of the School of Public Administration and Development Economics, and Professor of Economics at the Doha institute (DI) for Graduate Studies. In July 2015, Professor Aly was granted Emeritus status at Ohio State University. He started there in 1989 as an assistant Professor and gone through the ranks to reach full Professor in 2008. Professor Aly served on the Marion Campus, and in several positions in Columbus including Faculty Associate at the Middle East Studies Center, and Faculty Associate at the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy. Between 2002 and 2005, he served as Director of Graduate Studies at Zayed University, UAE. In addition to his academic career, Professor Aly served as the Chief Research Economist and Lead Economist at the African Development Bank (2009-2011), as Senior Advisor to the Minister of Planning in Egypt (Fall 2012). He is currently serving as a technical advisor to both the IMF and USAID. Professor Aly is a lifetime research fellow at the Economic Research Forum, and in August 2021 was elected as a chair of the Board of Trustees for this rather well-known regional body, representing Arab Countries, Iran, and Turkey. Professor Aly was a Co-editor of the African Development Review (2009-2012), and of the Middle East Business and Economic Review (2002-2010). He is a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Development and Economic Policies, and of the International Journal of Applied Business and Economics Research. In 2004 he was elected to the executive board of the Middle East Economics Association, where he served as Treasurer, an Executive Secretary, and two terms (2013-2019) as the Association’s President. He is the author of over fifty articles published in professional journals including the American Economic Review, Review of Economics and Statistics, Economic Development and Cultural Change, World Development, Economics Letters, Applied Economics, and Journal of Developing Areas among others and he has a lifetime citations number that exceeds 2000.

Christiane Amanpour is CNN’s chief international anchor of the network’s award-winning, flagship global affairs program “Amanpour,” which also airs on PBS in the United States. She is also host of “The Amanpour Hour,” a Saturday show consisting of forensic interviews with the news makers, game changers and cultural icons shaping our world. She is based in the network’s London bureau. Beginning in 1983 as an entry-level assistant on the international assignment desk at CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta, Amanpour rose through the organization becoming a reporter at the New York bureau, and later, the network’s leading international correspondent. Amanpour’s fearless and uncompromising approach made her popular with audiences, and a force to be reckoned with by global influencers – in 1996, Newsweek said that her reporting from conflict hotspots in the Gulf and the Balkans had helped make CNN ‘must-see TV for world leaders’. From the 1991 Gulf War, the 2003 American-led invasion, Amanpour has documented the bloody violence which has marked Iraq’s recent history. In 2004, she also reported exclusively from the courtroom at the trial of Saddam Hussein, where the former dictator, dishevelled and in chains, was eventually sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. On the ground during the siege of Sarajevo, Amanpour exposed the brutality of the Bosnian War, reporting on the daily tragedy of life for civilians in the city. She was outspoken, calling out the human rights abuses, massacres and genocide committed against the Bosnian Moslems, later saying “There are some situations one simply cannot be neutral about, because when you are neutral you are an accomplice.” In 2009 “Amanpour” was launched, and the primetime interview program has seen Amanpour speak to a raft of leaders and decision makers on the issues affecting the world today. Throughout her time at CNN Amanpour has secured exclusive interviews with global power players. In the wake of the September 11 attacks she was the first international correspondent to interview British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. During the height of the Arab Spring she conducted an Emmy-winning interview, the last, with Libya’s former leader ‘Colonel’ Moammar Gadhafi, she was also the last journalist to interview Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak just before he was deposed. Following his landslide election victory, Amanpour spoke exclusively to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, eliciting from him acknowledgement of the occurrence of the Holocaust. She was the first journalist to interview Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff following her country’s shocking defeat in the 2014 World Cup semi-final. She also had the rare opportunity to sit down with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, talking to him about the widespread violent demonstrations in his country. In January 2014, Amanpour also exclusively broke the news of a dossier of testimony and photographs which alleged to show systematic torture of prisoners by government forces in Syria, welcoming a panel of war crimes experts who attested to the veracity of the shocking allegations. It was with this evidence that she later confronted Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev – challenging him to justify his government’s support for the Assad regime. She has reported from the aftermath of many humanitarian crises including the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the 2011 Japanese tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina, where she visited a community center which had been converted to a makeshift morgue for victims of the storm. In addition to her work as an anchor and reporter, Amanpour is an active rights campaigner. A board member of the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Centre for Public Integrity and the International Women’s Media Foundation, she has used her profile to raise awareness of key global issues and journalists’ rights. She has interviewed educational rights activist Malala Yousafzai for CNN on several occasions – bringing focus to her courage and international advocacy work. In May 2014 she used an appearance on BBC television to raise awareness of the plight of the 200 Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram - asking British Prime Minister David Cameron to join the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Amanpour has earned every major television journalism award including sixteen News and Documentary Emmy Awards, four Peabody Awards, two George Polk Awards, three duPont-Columbia Awards and the Courage in Journalism Award. She has received nine honorary degrees, has been named a CBE and was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame. In 2023, she was honored with the Columbia Journalism Award, the highest award bestowed by Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, and with the President’s Award from the Overseas Press Club. In 2024, her unprecedented interview with American-Iranian Siamak Namazi from Iran’s notorious Evin Prison was honored with the RTS Television Journalism Award for Network Interview of the Year. She is an honorary citizen of Sarajevo and a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of the Press and the Safety of Journalists. Amanpour graduated summa cum laude from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Rina Amiri is currently the U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights. Under the Obama Administration, she served as a senior advisor to the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ms. Amiri brings over two decades of political expertise, advising and working with governments in various conflict settings in West and the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and Europe. Her areas of focus are peace and security, with a specialization in inclusion in mediation processes. Ms. Amiri has served in the United Nations in several capacities including as a Senior Mediation Expert and as a member of the United Nation’s Special Representative of the Secretary General’s political team in Afghanistan during the implementation of the Bonn Agreement. She has held senior and leadership positions in a variety of universities and think tanks, including the Women in Public Policy Program at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy’s School of Government; Princeton University’s Innovations for Successful Societies; and New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and The Center on International Cooperation where, as a Senior Fellow, she led the Afghanistan and Regional Policy Initiative. She has championed the rights of Afghan women and girls for decades and is a founding member of Inclusive Security, a global women’s initiative advocating for the inclusion of women in peace processes.

M.Litt 1986, PhD 1990 Glasgow university UK. Professor of Philosophy 1998 (Dialogue Between Civilizations) at Batna university. Ex-Director of Laboratory Research of Dialogue Between Civilizations and Globalization. Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities 1998-2010. Participated on United Nations Alliance of Civilization Forums (UNAOC :2009-2018). Istanbul Forum 2009, Rio de Janeiro Forum2010, Doha Forum 2011, Vienna Forum 2013, and Baku Forum 2016. Participated in many National and International Seminars and Conferences: 1998-2024. Books in Arabic: An Appeal to One Civilization for One World (Amman,2016), The Truth we Hold: CV.(el-alma, 2020), Our Philosophy and their Civilizations (Irebed, 2021). Award/ Gusi Peace Prize, 2013. Manila

In a 37-year career in the Foreign Service since 1984, Lawrence Anderson served at the Singapore Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and the Singapore Embassies in the US and Thailand. He was appointed Ambassador to Cambodia (2004-2007), as well as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and concurrently Ambassador to Bahrain (2013-2019). Back at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Anderson at various times held appointments covering Singapore’s bilateral relations with its Southeast Asian neighbors; Regional policy and strategic security issues involving ASEAN and its relations with the Dialogue Partners; overseeing Singapore’s Technical Assistance Cooperation Programmes; as well as managed Singapore’s relations with the European Union and other European countries; and Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands. Mr. Anderson retired from the Foreign Service in late 2021 after a secondment to the Asia-Europe Foundation. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). His areas of interest include regional security in the Asia-Pacific and beyond, ASEAN, and Sino-US strategic competition. Mr. Anderson has published many articles, papers and contributed chapters to several publications. He edited the book Beyond the Handshake: Singapore’s Foreign Service, a collection of essays by retired Ambassadors and dignitaries. He is a Senior Fellow at the MFA Diplomatic Academy. He is also Singapore’s Representative on the Advisory Board of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR)

Dr. Alexis Antoniades is Professor, Director, and Chair of International Economics at Georgetown University in Qatar. A Fulbright scholar with a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University, he is an expert on global markets and a leading authority on the economies of the Gulf countries. His current research is on big data, AI, and labor markets. Among other grants, Dr Antoniades is the recipient of a $1,050,000 grant to undertake the first micro-study on the economies of the Gulf Countries and an $867,000 grant to conduct sentiment analysis on Arabic chatter on twitter. Prof Antoniades previously worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and at Princeton University, where he was the recipient of the prestigious Niehaus Fellowship. In his seventeen years in Qatar, Dr. Antoniades frequently advises the leadership of both public and private sector organizations.

Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, a seasoned diplomat with over three decades of experience, currently serves as the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Born in 1962, Araghchi has consistently demonstrated his expertise in international relations, shaping Iran’s foreign policy on pivotal matters. Araghchi holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Faculty of International Relations of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He further pursued a master’s degree in political science at the Islamic Azad University and completed a doctorate in political thought from the University of Kent, England. Araghchi’s career in diplomacy is extensive. He has previously served as Iran's ambassador to Finland and Japan. Within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he held various significant roles, including spokesperson, legal and international deputy, and political deputy during Iran's 12th government. In 2013, he joined Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, playing a critical role in the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement. From September 2021, Araghchi served as the Secretary of Iran's Foreign Relations Strategic Council.

Professor of Security & Military Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI). He is the Founder of the Security Studies Graduate Programmes in the DI and the Director of the Strategic Studies Unit at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS). He is an Honorary Professor at the Security and Strategy Institute at the University of Exeter (United Kingdom) and a Non-Resident Honorary Fellow at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation (Ukraine). He was a tenured faculty member at the University of Exeter (2008-2018) and previously served as a senior consultant for the United Nations on counterterrorism, security sector reform, de-radicalization and defence affairs (2009-2015). He specialises in small state defence; combat and military effectiveness; military adaptations, innovations and transformations by state forces and non-state armed actors; weapon systems analysis; counterinsurgency and counterterrorism; and collective de-radicalization. He is the author of How ISIS Fights: Military Tactics in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Egypt (Open-Access in English, Ukrainian and translated to Arabic) and The De-Radicalization of Jihadists: Transforming Armed Islamist Movements. He is the editor of Bullets to Ballots: Collective De-Radicalisation of Armed Movements (translated to Arabic and Ukrainian). Professor Ashour has written tens of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on security and military affairs in the Middle East and the Post-Soviet Republics. He has also written hundreds of op-eds in the Washington Post, Foreign Policy, The Guardian, Globe and Mail, al-Jazeera.net, CNN.com, Project Syndicate, The Independent, The Middle East Eye and others. He is a regular security and defence analyst in various Arab and international broadcasters. His current research project is focused on comparative combat effectiveness and hybrid warfare with a focus on the wars on Ukraine (2014-2024).

Dr. Fanta Aw is the executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the largest global organization in international education, with over 10,000 members from more than 4,000 institutions in 140+ countries. NAFSA is committed to advancing international education and exchange. Dr. Aw offers expertise on topics such as internationalization, diversity, equity, inclusion, student success, global trends, geopolitics, public policy, and immigration. A champion of innovation in higher education, she emphasizes the importance of coexisting with artificial intelligence and the role of educators in nurturing empathetic future leaders. Before NAFSA, Dr. Aw spent 30 years at American University in Washington, D.C., where she held leadership roles, including vice president of undergraduate enrollment, campus life, and inclusive excellence. She was also an award-winning Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer at the School of International Service. Her insights have been recognized by major global media outlets, including CNN, USA Today, The Washington Post, and National Public Radio. Through her leadership and thought-provoking perspectives, Dr. Aw continues to drive meaningful transformation in higher education.

Spanish lawyer from Syrian origin, Ayman Ayoub is the Head of the Middle East and North Africa Division at the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance - DCAF. From 2011 to 2015 he served as the Regional Director for West Asia and North Africa at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). Mr Ayoub has 30 years of experience in supporting programmes of democratic governance and reform, and the rule of law. He served as senior expert and adviser for the UN system, the European Union and a large number of specialized international organizations. He provided his services in numerous countries in the Middle East and North Africa, East Europe, Africa and Asia. Mr. Ayoub is the author, co-author and editor of a number of handbooks, studies and related knowledge tools. He currently leads DCAF’s teams and programmes across the MENA region, focusing on security sector strategic reforms and governance.

Mohammed Baharoon is the Director of the Dubai Public Policy Research Center (b’huth) which he co-founded in 2002.Before that, he worked as Editor for Gulf Defense Magazine and a number of media outlets.  He focuses on the interplay between Geostrategy and policymaking in governance, stability, capacity building, and future-proofing.  Mohammed has also worked as Deputy Director of Watani (UAE’s first initiative on National Identity) and was also a founding member of the board of “Bussola Institute” a think tank in Brussels that focuses on the changing and emerging aspects of the partnership between the EU and the GCC member states.  As part of his interest in the emerging geostrategic space of the Arabian Peninsula, Mohammed looks at the interconnected world order and the Global Connectivity Agenda UAE is developing across the region through arteries of trade, money, people, and data and the impact this had on its regional and global partnerships including regional and trans-regional initiatives like the Abrahamic Accords & I2U2

Dr. Gawdat Bahgat is a distinguished professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University in Washington DC. He is the author of 11 books and more than 200 articles in scholarly journals. His work has been translated to several languages. His most recent book, Defending Iran from Revolutionary Guards to Ballistic Missiles, was published by Cambridge University Press. Bahgat’s areas of expertise include energy security, climate change, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, technology and national security and American foreign policy in the Middle East. Bahgat has more than 30 years of government and academic experience.

Dr Matthew Bamber-Zryd is the Adviser on Armed Groups at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), based in its Geneva headquarters. At the ICRC, Matthew supports the ICRC’s engagement with armed groups across a range of contexts.cPrior to joining the ICRC, Matthew worked on conflict and armed groups for different governments and international organizations, conducting field missions in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. He has provided expert testimony to different governments and is an appointed member of the Expert Research Group at the Swedish Agency for Peace, Security and Development (Folke Bernadotteakademin).Matthew holds a PhD in Political Science/International Relations from the Graduate Institute, Geneva. He holds fellowships at both the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding at the Graduate Institute, Geneva and the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University. Matthew’s work on armed groups has been published in academic and policy journals.

Sharif Banna MBE is Chairman of Jagoron Foundation and President of the Sycamore Foundation for Global Leadership. Sharif has extensive knowledge and experience in advising global leaders, governments and international organizations on global public diplomacy, soft power incubation, strategic leadership and conflict resolution. He is an entrepreneur leading a global media investment fund, a visiting scholar at Oxford University and a philanthropist focusing on the intersection of technology and social impact. His charitable engagements have helped raise over $100 million USD globally. He serves on the Board of several research organizations and educational endowments in UK, USA, Turkey, Malaysia and Qatar. Sharif is the youngest recipient of a royal award from the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Mrs. Barakat is the CEO of the Jordan Strategy Forum. Previously she was the founder and managing director of To-Excel Consulting. An innovative boutique company that was established in 2006 to provide evidence-based services in strategic planning, socio-economic development, recovery, and monitoring and evaluation. Mrs. Barakat has more than 25 years of professional experience in the areas of economic and social development, working with the government, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector in Jordan. Mrs. Barakat has held significant roles throughout her career, including Minister of Social Development, Minister of Public Sector Development, General Director of the National Aid Fund, City Council Member at the Greater Amman Municipality, and member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Jordan. Currently, she serves on the Board of Trustees of Jordan University, chairs the Businesswomen Committee at the Amman Chamber of Commerce, and holds positions on the boards of Jordan Kuwait Bank, Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Work, Jordan Impact Investment Board (JIIB), Business and Professional Women Association (BPWA), and the UN Women NGO Advisory Group. Mrs. Barakat was awarded the Forbes 200 Most Powerful Arab Women in 2014. She holds an MBA degree from Durham University Business School in the UK and a B.Sc. degree in Computer Science from the University of Jordan.

Member of the Palestinian parliament; 2005 presidential candidate; General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative; former Minister of Information under the first National Unity Government in Palestinian history; physician; social, political, human rights and peace activist; one of the most active grassroots leaders in Palestine; campaigner for the development of Palestinian civil society and grassroots democracy; outspoken advocate of internal reform; international spokesperson for the Palestinian cause; leading figure in the non-violent, peaceful struggle against the Occupation; and organizer of international solidarity presence in the Palestine, Mustafa Barghouthi has made an extraordinary contribution to initiatives to peacefully challenge the ongoing Israeli Occupation of Palestine and bring it to end, as well as efforts to build the institutional framework of Palestinian civil society and promote the principles of internal democracy and good governance.  He writes extensively for local and international audiences on civil society and democracy issues and the political situation in , as well as on health development policy in Palestine   Recent Activities  Dr. Barghouthi ran in the presidential elections of January 2005 as a Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) candidate, on an anti-corruption and pro-democracy platform.  He achieved second place behind Mahmoud Abbas, with almost one third of total votes.  He also headed the “Independent Palestine” Coalition that ran in legislative elections in January 2006, in which he secured a seat in the Palestinian parliament.  The Coalition consists of independents, business leaders, academics, writers, women, youth, labour movements, and the PNI, and draws primarily upon grassroots support.  Its platform seeks to provide a truly democratic and independent alternative to the large majority of silent and unrepresented Palestinian voters, who favour neither the autocracy and corruption of the previous governments, nor the fundamentalism of Hamas.  Dr. Barghouthi was one of the only candidates to focus major attention on demanding an end to construction of ’s Apartheid Wall, and the dismantlement of existing sections.  He also strongly advocated at the highest levels for the right to campaign, and to hold elections following threats by the Israeli government to forbid elections from taking place in the divided city. Following the results of legislative elections the situation reached a nadir, plunging the Palestinian people into one of the bleakest periods in the history of their struggle.  This post-election situation was characterised by a political and economic siege imposed by Israel and some members of the international community on the Hamas-led government, to the detriment of millions of ordinary Palestinians, and the outbreak of in-fighting between armed groups affiliated to the two main political parties, Fatah and Hamas, as the political vacuum at the governmental level translated into a power struggle on the Palestinian street. During this time, Dr. Barghouthi played a critical role in mediating between the two main factions to secure the formation of a national unity government and to bring an end to internal fighting in which 490 Palestinians were killed and 2,726 injured in 2007. As the representative of a movement respected for its genuine independence, Dr. Barghouthi was regarded as one of the actors that could play a constructive role in mediating a solution for internal peace after the conflict between Fatah and Hamas escalated to the point of internal violence, endangering the future of all Palestinians.  His role involved months of non-stop shuttle diplomacy between the European Union, and the Gaza Strip.  Ultimately, Dr. Barghouthi’s involvement in mediating what became the Mecca Agreement provided a peaceful way out of the crisis, and led to renewed dialogue towards the formation of the first national unity government in Palestinian history, in which he served as Minister of Information.  It also led directly to achieving the first mutual, reciprocal ceasefire which was implemented in November 2006. This role saw Dr. Barghouthi’s participation in high-level, internal dialogue and in advocating for diplomatic actions at the international level to end the siege on the Palestinian people.  Yet at the same time, he has retained his well-deserved image as “a man of the people”, as one of the leading figures of Palestinian civil society, and as one of the most vocal advocates of the non-violence movement in .  In practice, this has taken the form of support for peaceful demonstrations calling for the immediate formation of a national unity government for the good of the Palestinian people; continued participation in non-violent, popular protests against construction of Israel’s Apartheid Wall together with Israeli and international supporters, part of more than 20 years of advocacy for non-violence; and bringing the voices of ordinary Palestinians and of Palestinian civil society to decision-making spheres both nationally and internationally.

José Manuel Barroso (Lisbon, 1956), currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, and is a Visiting Professor at the Catholic University of Portugal, where he directs the Center for European Studies. His political career includes serving as Prime Minister of Portugal from 2002 to 2004 and as President of the European Commission for two terms from 2004 to 2014. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in the EU's expansion from 15 to 28 member states, the approval of the Treaty of Lisbon, and the launch of the 2020 program for Climate Change and Energy Security. He also led the EU's response to the financial and sovereign debt crisis. On behalf of the European Union he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.In addition to his political roles, Barroso has held significant positions such as President of the General Assembly of the Portuguese Diaspora Council, Chairman of the EurAfrican Forum, and Chairman of International Advisors at Goldman Sachs International in London. Academically, he holds degrees in Law and Political Sciences from the University of Lisbon and the University of Geneva. He has taught at Georgetown and Princeton Universities and is currently a Visiting Professor at the European University Institute in Florence. He published numerous political and academic works and received honorary doctorates from over thirty universities. Has been honored with high decorations from many countries, recognizing his contributions to politics and diplomacy.

His Excellency Mr. Espen Barth Eide is the Foreign Minister of Norway. Espen Barth Eide became Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs on 16 October 2023. From 14 October 2021 he was Minister of Climate and Environment. He is elected to the Norwegian Parliament as a representative from Oslo. In the two Stoltenberg Governments, Mr. Eide occupied many prominent positions: Foreign Minister from 2012 to 2013, Minister of Defense from 2011 to 2012, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2011, State Secretary for Defense from 2005 to 2010 and State Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 2000-2001. Mr. Eide was Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum in Geneva from 2014 to 2016. Furthermore, he served as UN Under-Secretary General and the Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus (2014-2017), chairing the negotiations aiming at reunification of the divided island. In his academic career, Mr. Eide, a political scientist, worked as a senior fellow at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) from 1993 to 2000 and again from 2002 to 2005, specializing on international security, European integration, defense and international relations. During his tenure at NUPI, he was deeply involved in several UN, EU and NATO-related processes.

James Bays covers global diplomacy, defense, and development issues for Al Jazeera English. He also serves as a Presenter of Aljazeera’s ‘Inside Story’ and ‘Talk to Aljazeera’ programmes. James, is an award-winning correspondent, who in the last quarter of a century, has travelled to more than 70 counties and has reported from numerous conflict zones, including Iraq, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Panama, the former Soviet Union, Israel and the Palestinian territories. In his previous post at Al Jazeera as a roving correspondent, James frequently reported from Baghdad and Kabul. During the so-called Arab spring, James has covered events in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, and Syria. In 2016, James was one of the moderators of a debate, broadcast live on Aljazeera, between the candidates to be the new UN Secretary General. Among the global figures he has interviewed: Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Yoweri Museveni, Pervez Musharraf, Hamid Karzai, John Kerry, Margaret Thatcher, Sheikh Hasina, Saad Harriri, Antonio Guterres, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Pedro Sánchez. Before joining Aljazeera, James worked for fifteen years as a Correspondent with Britain’s Independent Television News.

Diego Martínez Belío was appointed State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs at the Council of Ministers held on 19 December 2023. He holds a Law degree from the Complutense University (Madrid) and the Sorbonne University (Paris) and a Diploma in Advanced Studies (DEA) in International Economic Law from the Sorbonne University. He joined the Diplomatic Service in 2007. Since July 2021, he has been the Director of the Cabinet of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. He used to be Director of the Cabinet of the State Secretary for the European Union. Previously, he had been an advisory member of the Department of European Affairs and G20 in the Cabinet of the Presidency of the Government. Overseas, he has been posted as second-in-command at the Spanish Embassy in Equatorial Guinea and as Deputy Consul of Spain in Casablanca. Prior to entering the diplomatic service, he practiced as a corporate lawyer in Miami, Madrid and Paris.​

Nejla Ben Mimoune is a research associate and programs manager at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs. Previously, she was a research assistant at the Brookings Doha Center, where she examined topics such as economic diversification in the Gulf, youth transition in MENA, and labor market dynamics. She holds a Master’s of Development Economics and works on development issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. She has consulted for different international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (UN ESCWA). She contributed to several reports on inequality of opportunity, youth unemployment, and labor market skills needs, among others.

He is a writer, thinker, researcher, and translator. He is a professor at the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat. He is a member of the Moroccan Writers Union and former editorial secretary of “Think and Criticism” magazine. Member of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco. Recipient of the Al Owais Prize. .He published many scientific articles and studies in a number of peer-reviewed journals and cultural platforms inside and outside Morocco. He published “Foundations of Contemporary Philosophical Thought”, “Philosophy is a Tool for Dialogue”, “Readings for Forgetting”, and “A Series of Philosophical Notebooks” in collaboration with M. Sabila, and “Out of Philosophy, Selections by Gilles Deleuze” in collaboration with Adel Hadjami. He holds a state doctorate in the history of philosophy.

2020 - 2024 EU Ambassador to Egypt & Representative to the League of Arab State2016 - 2020 EU  Ambassador to Turkey & non-resident Ambassador to Turkmenistan2011- 2016: Director for Middle East and North Africa, EEAS (European External Action Service)2008 - 2011: EU Representative, Head of EU Delegation in Jerusalem2006 - 2008: Head of the Crisis Response, EU Commission2005 - 2006: EU-Representative to the Quartet Special Envoy 2001 - 2005: Political Advisor on Middle Eastern issues1999 - 2001: Desk for Syria, European Commission 1997 - 1999: EU Committee of the Regions1994 - 1996: Deputy Director, OSCE 1991 - 1994: Head of Department, UNRWA Jerusalem1989 - 1991: Head of Legal Office, UNRWA Gaza1987: Operations Officer, AUSBATT/UNDOF (UN-Peacekeeping on Golan)Education: University of Vienna (Dr. iur.), University of London / London School of Economics (LL.M.)

Fatima Azzahra is a young architect, social innovator, and visionary leader committed to challenging norms, empowering Morocco's next generation, and promoting equitable opportunities. With over eight years of experience in designing impactful non-profit initiatives, she has built a strong track record. Since she co-led the creation of LEAD Morocco as program director in 2019, a Moroccan non-profit organization that is part of the global network LEAD Edu. She has used design thinking to expand LEAD Leadership and Football Academy, a program blending quality education with elite sports training to foster leadership, teamwork, and confidence in underserved children.Fatima pioneered SHE PLAYS FOOTBALL, an initiative combining football, capacity building, and leadership for young female players and coaches, focusing on remote areas. She also co-launched Amplify, a program teaching leadership, advocacy, and social impact skills to youth, fostering a culture of active citizenship. Her collaborations with the Moroccan Ministry of Education and Sport, the U.S. Embassy, and GIZ Morocco ensure impactful programming and sustainable community development.A Mohammed VI Foundation scholar, she holds degrees from the National School of Architecture in Rabat (ENA), the University of Connecticut in Social Entrepreneurship, and a certification in Innovation and Social Change from UPEACE, the UN-mandated university.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi was appointed Minister of State according to the Amiri Decree No. 5 of 2023. Prior to that, His Excellency was appointed Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs according to Amiri Decree No 10 of 2022. Before joining the Ministry, Dr. Al-Khulaifi held the position of the Dean of College of Law at Qatar University. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Law from Qatar University. He also obtained a Master's and PhD degrees in Law from the University of California Berkeley, USA. He authored and published a number of articles and research papers in the field of law. Dr. Al-Khulaifi has joined several State councils and committees, including the Board of Directors of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the Board of Directors of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority, the Board of Directors of Doha’s International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, the Permanent Committee on the international Law of the Sea in the Ministry and, the Permanent Committee on Legislative Affairs at the Council of Ministers. Dr. Al-Khulaifi served as a legal advisor to His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar in 2018, and Agent of the State of Qatar before the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2018. He also served as a lawyer before the Qatari Court of Cassation, and an adjudicator at the Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority in 2017. His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi was appointed Minister of State according to the Amiri Decree No. 5 of 2023. Prior to that, His Excellency was appointed Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs according to Amiri Decree No 10 of 2022. Before joining the Ministry, Dr. Al-Khulaifi held the position of the Dean of College of Law at Qatar University. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Law from Qatar University. He also obtained a Master's and PhD degrees in Law from the University of California Berkeley, USA. He authored and published a number of articles and research papers in the field of law. Dr. Al-Khulaifi has joined several State councils and committees, including the Board of Directors of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the Board of Directors of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority, the Board of Directors of Doha’s International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, the Permanent Committee on the international Law of the Sea in the Ministry and, the Permanent Committee on Legislative Affairs at the Council of Ministers. Dr. Al-Khulaifi served as a legal advisor to His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar in 2018, and Agent of the State of Qatar before the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2018. He also served as a lawyer before the Qatari Court of Cassation, and an adjudicator at the Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority in 2017.

As First Lady, Dr. Biden has focused on reaching out to all Americans, helping to bring our country together. She has continued championing the causes that have defined her public life: supporting military families, advocating for increased educational opportunities for all, working to end cancer as we know it, and, her most recent body of work, advancing and fundamentally changing how our country approaches and funds research into women’s health. She has also served as a leading messenger for the Administration’s most urgent priorities, including: safely reopening schools after the pandemic’s shutdown, urging communities to get vaccinated against COVID-19, supporting the President’s economic agenda, and assisting with restoring U.S. global relations.  Dr. Biden sees the role of First Lady as an act of service, and knows how important it is to reach beyond the walls of the White House, connecting with people where they are. As of the fall of 2024, she has traveled to more than 40 states, 200 towns and cities, and 19 countries. For the American people and the Administration, she is both messenger and listener, bringing the lived experiences and compelling stories of Americans back to the White House. During her tenure as First Lady, she has advanced the missions of three key White House initiatives, Joining Forces, the Biden Cancer Moonshot, and the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research.  In the spring of 2021, Dr. Biden announced the next phase and priorities of Joining Forces, her White House initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. In her first two years, she visited 24 military installations; worked with Joining Forces partners to support over 30 events with the military-connected community; and launched an interagency working group with the National Security Council, which secured over 80 commitments and proposals across the federal government to support military families. Through her Joining Forces work, she has advocated for: increased economic opportunities for military spouses; additional educational programming and support for military children; more focus on health and wellness in the military community; and improved resources for caregivers and survivors, including military and veteran children in caregiving homes. As a classroom teacher for over 30 years, advocating for increased educational opportunities for all students, of all ages, is close to her heart. From championing universal pre-school, teacher recruitment and retention, opportunities for career-connected learning, and more affordable options for education after high school, including free community college, Dr. Biden continues her work promoting quality education for everyone. Cancer affects every community and it’s a common dark thread for so many, including the Biden family. In recognition of World Cancer Day 2022, the President and First Lady reignited the Cancer Moonshot, laying out bold goals and a vision to end cancer as we know it. As First Lady, Dr. Biden has continued to work on behalf of American families confronting cancer, focusing on supporting patients and their loved ones during their cancer journeys; urging Americans to prioritize their cancer screenings; and reducing health inequities in diagnosis, treatment, research, and outcomes.  The President and First Lady launched the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research in November of 2023 with a clear goal: to fundamentally change how our country approaches and funds research on women’s health. Research on women’s health, especially for women in mid-life and beyond, has always been underfunded and understudied – but because of the President and First Lady’s leadership in this area, this disparity is changing. While serving as First Lady, Dr. Biden continued teaching English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has been a professor since 2009. She is the first presidential spouse to maintain an independent career outside of the White House.

Al-Thani currently holds the position of Assistant Undersecretary for Expatriate Affairs at the Ministry of Labour, and is Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund. She also serves on the board of Qatar Manpower Solutions (Josoor), and the National Human Rights Committee. Recently she’s been appointed as General Secretary of the National Committee for Combatting Human Trafficking. Prior to her current position, she worked as Director of Communications at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SCDL) and Director of International Cooperation at the National Human Rights Committee.

General of UNESCO from 2009 to 2017. She was actively engaged in the efforts to promote culture as a driver for sustainable development on the UN Agenda 2030, adopted in 2015. She was particularly active in the defence of cultural heritage in conflict in Mali, Syria and Iraq and in denouncing extremists’ destruction of heritage as a tool of war, which lead to the adoption by the UN Security Council of several land mark resolutions on the link between maintaining peace, security and the protection of cultural heritage. Bokova was on the Forbes list of most influential women for 2016. In May 2020, she was elected International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2022 Bokova was elected Patron of the International Science Council. Currently, she is Chair of the Governing Council of the UN University of Peace, Member of the Board of “Ban Ki Moon Centre for Global Citizens”, Chair of the Board of Democracy and Culture Foundation, Member of the Concordia Leadership Council, New York, Lecturer on “Cultural Diplomacy” at the Paris School of International Affairs /PSIA/, SciencePo, among other activities.

Børge Brende is President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Economic Forum. Previously he was the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Minister of Climate and the Environment. He served as Deputy Chairman of the Norwegian Conservative Party as well as MP. He was also full-time city counsellor in his hometown of Trondheim. He was Chairman of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and Secretary-General of the Norwegian Red Cross. He was Board Member of Statoil and the Norwegian School of Economics. He was the Chair of Mesta, Norway’s largest contracting group in the area of road and highway maintenance and is currently a Director of the Philanthropy Asia Alliance. He is a Member of the Advisory Council, Harvard International Negotiation Program, the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), the Strategic Committee of Sciences Po, and is currently on the Board of the Bilderberg Meetings.

Nathan Carey is the Global Advocacy Lead for the Norwegian Refugee Council. Based in Geneva but covering a global portfolio, he leads NRCs global strategic advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy work with so-called non-traditional/under-engaged actors. Previously, Nathan has worked in crisis response in Palestine, the wider Middle East, Asia and East Africa.

Nabih Bulos is the Middle East bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times. Since 2012, he has covered the aftermath of the Arab Spring revolutions as well as the Islamic State’s resurgence and the campaign to defeat it. His work has taken him to Syria, Iraq, Libya, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen, and the the migrant trail through the Balkans and northern Europe. Further afield, he has also covered the wars in Afghanistan, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine. A Fulbright scholar, Bulos is a concert violinist who has performed in concert halls across the world as both a chamber and orchestral musician. 

Sean is a recognized international humanitarian and human development leader. He is a recipient of the Julia Vadala Taft Outstanding Leadership Award and the America's Community Council 2024 Global Humanitarian Leadership Award. As President & CEO of Anera and CEO of Anera Ventures, LLC, Sean leads a team of nearly 200 in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Washington, DC, overseeing the delivery of over $200 million in annual humanitarian and development aid to vulnerable communities in the Middle East. Since October 2023, Anera has delivered more than 44 million meals, over 1.2 million gallons of water, and over 6 million treatments of medicines in Gaza. Anera's work spans emergency and humanitarian relief, infrastructure and development projects in water, sanitation, education, and health, as well as economic growth programs, including agriculture and vocational upskilling. Prior to Anera, Sean held key roles at USAID, Creative Associates International, the US Congress, and the Club of Madrid, among others. He served as chief of staff and COO at USAID under the Obama administration, managing a $1.7 billion budget and 9,500 staff. Sean’s connection to the Middle East began over 25 years ago when he worked as chief of mission for the National Democratic Institute in the West Bank and Gaza. He holds degrees from Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins, and serves on several boards, including Creative Frontiers, InterAction, and PQMD.

Roger D. Carstens is the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) at the U.S. Department of State. Prior to assuming this role, Mr. Carstens was a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. He previously served in Amman, Jordan, as the Country Director for a U.S.-based international nongovernmental organization (INGO) that provided humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons. Prior positions include Senior Civilian Advisor on the Commander’s Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT) in Afghanistan; Project Director for an INGO based in Somalia; Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security; and Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Mr. Carstens is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who served in Special Forces and the 1st Ranger Battalion. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and holds master’s degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and St. John’s College. Mr. Carstens is the recipient of the 2023 Robert A. Levinson Excellence in Government Service Award, the St. John’s College Alumni Association’s Award of Merit, and was selected as a Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment.

On May 2023 United Nations SecretaryGeneral António Guterres, appointed Edward Chaiban of Lebanon as Assistant SecretaryGeneral to serve as the Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).  Previously Mr. Chaiban was the Global Lead Coordinator for COVID-19 Vaccines Delivery Partnership (CoVDP), since February 2022, heading an inter-agency partnership put together by UNICEF, WHO and Gavi.  Working for UNICEF, he has been Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Director of Programmes, Director of Emergency Programmes, Representative in Ethiopia, Sudan and Sri Lanka, Regional Emergency Advisor for the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office and Deputy Chief of Operations for the Operation Lifeline Sudan consortium based in Nairobi.  Prior to joining UNICEF, Mr. Chaiban was Country Representative for Catholic Relief Services in Haiti, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan. He also worked as a Programme Manager focusing on food security and child survival.  Mr. Chaiban is a national of both Lebanon and the United States of America. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Political Science from Tufts University and a Master of Arts Degree in Development and Arab Studies from Georgetown University, USA.

Mr Jagan Chapagain is the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the IFRC. He was appointed by the IFRC Governing Board in February 2020 and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.  Mr Chapagain has extensive experience in leading effective and principled humanitarian response around the world and has dedicated his life to helping empower local communities.  He brings decades of experience in building and leading inclusive teams and forging trustful partnerships to address global challenges, ranging from climate to health, and from migration to protection, gender, and inclusion. He has also championed policies and programmes that promote youth engagement and volunteering, and that strengthen localization and accountability in humanitarian action.  He began his humanitarian journey as a youth volunteer with the Nepal Red Cross and has extensive experience in, and broad knowledge of, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.  Prior to being appointed Secretary General, he served as Under Secretary General for Programmes and Operations at the IFRC. He was also previously Chief of Staff and Regional Director for Asia Pacific, where he provided leadership during largescale humanitarian crises and built resilient communities alongside National Societies and other partners. An engineer by training, Mr Chapagain holds certificates in Leadership and Turnaround Management, Emerging Social Sector Leadership, and High Performance Boards.  A national of Nepal, he is fluent in Nepalese, English and Hindi and has basic knowledge of Urdu and Russian.

Gilles Cerutti is the Head of the Humanitarian Diplomacy section at Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.  He oversees Switzerland’s engagement in the field of Humanitarian Diplomacy, Multilateral Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Disarmament. He has 20 years of experience in humanitarian work and foreign affairs. Between 2019 and 2021, Mr. Cerutti was the Strategic Advisor to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Before that, he worked for the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in various postings at the United Nations in New York, at Headquarters, and at the Representative office of Switzerland to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. Before joining the FDFA, from 2004 to 2011, Mr. Cerutti worked with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territory, with the ICRC in Darfur and Colombia, and with NGO Terre des Hommes in Brazil. Born in 1979, Mr. Cerutti holds an MA in Social and Political Science from the University of Lausanne, and an LL.M in International Law from the University of London.

Julia Chatterley is an anchor and correspondent for CNN International based in New York. She anchors First Move with Julia Chatterley weekdays at 6pm ET on CNN International. Chatterley has been instrumental in CNN’s coverage of many major global business stories including the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on businesses, industries and economies around the world. She’s also reported on the US-China trade relations, Brexit and from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. She also covers transformative technologies, like financial payments, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and has a keen interest in sustainability and climate change. She has interviewed many prominent world and business leaders including the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Thailand, US climate Envoy John Kerry, the UN Secretary General, the NATO Secretary General, the head of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Richard Branson, former Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Michael Dell, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, LVMH’s Antoine Arnault, and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. Chatterley has also spoken to celebrities and influencers including Matt Damon, Idris and Sabrina Elba, singer Maluma, Chinese Pianist Lang Lang, DJ Steve Aoki, renowned activist Malala Yousafzai, wellness guru Deepak Chopra, and Indian Masterchef host and author Vikas Khanna. A first-class honors graduate in Economics from the London School of Economics, Chatterley began her career in finance, working for Morgan Stanley in London. There she accumulated a breadth of knowledge in the company’s Fixed Income division, including swaps trading, foreign exchange sales-trading and Securitized Products Research. She spent more than four years working with macro hedge funds.

Dr. Decius Hikabwa Chipande heads the African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Secretariat, a Specialised Technical Office of the African Union responsible for promoting sports development and sports for development in Africa. Prior to joining the African Union, he was a lecturer of sports studies at the University of Zambia in Lusaka and is author of multiple publications on political and social history of sports. Over his career, Dr. Chipande has worked with inter-governmental sports organizations and international NGOs involved in sports development and sports for development. In these roles, he was responsible for promoting quality sports development and using sports to promote economic and social development. Dr. Chipande has a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in the USA, a MSc Sports and BSc Sports degrees from the Norwegian School of Sport Science in Oslo.

Dr. Wu Chunsi is Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Institute of International Strategic and Security Studies, Shanghai Institutes of International Studies (SIIS). Her research interests include arms control and nonproliferation, Asia-Pacific security and China-US relations. She published the book Deterrence: Theories and Missile Defense in 2001 (in Chinese) and co-authord the book Deterrence and Stability: China-US Nuclear Relationship in 2005 (in Chinese). Before joining in SIIS in November 2006, Dr. Wu was Associate Professor of the Center for American Studies, Fudan University. Dr. Wu got her doctoral degree in international relations from Fudan University. In January-March of 2012, Dr. Wu was a visiting research fellow with the Freeman Chair on China Studies at the Center for International Studies (CSIS) of the United States. In 2004-2005, Dr. Wu was granted a fellowship on arms control by the Union of Concerned Scientists and The Ford Foundation for a one-year study at Center for International Security Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Jared Cohen is Co-Head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute and President of Global Affairs. He serves on the Management Committee and the Firmwide Client Franchise Committee. Mr. Cohen joined Goldman Sachs in 2022 as a partner. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Cohen was Chief Executive Officer of Jigsaw, which he founded at Alphabet Inc. in 2016. In this role, his work focused on applying frontier technology to the greatest challenges facing humanity. Prior to that, Mr. Cohen was Google’s first Director of Ideas and Chief Advisor to Google’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt. From 2006 to 2010, he served as a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff and as a close advisor to both Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton. Mr. Cohen is a New York Times bestselling author of six books, including One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide, Children of Jihad, The New Digital Age: Transforming Nations, Business, and our Lives, which he co-authored with Eric Schmidt, Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America, Life After Power: Seven Presidents and their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House, and the children’s book Speaking of America: United States Presidents and Words that Changed History. Mr. Cohen is a member of and an adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and also a member of the Trilateral Commission. 

2001: Enters Diplomatic Service  2001-2002: Human Rights Bureau. Head of European Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain  2002-2006: First Secretary, Mission of Spain to the U.N., New York, USA  2006-2008: Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Spain in Damascus, Syria  2008-2011: Political Counsellor, Embassy of Spain in Buenos Aires, Argentina  2011-2014: Senior Adviser for multilateral and security issues of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet of the Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain  2014-2017: Political Counsellor, Head of the Political Section, Embassy of Spain in Tokyo, Japan  2017-2021: Deputy Permanent Representative, Spanish Delegation to NATO  2021- 2024: Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, NATO  2024- present: Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood

Pedro Conceição is Director of the Human Development Report Office, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since January 2019. Prior to that he held other roles at UNDP, including Director for Strategic Policy, Chief-Economist for Africa, and Director of the Office of Development Studies. He has published on financing for development inequality, global public goods, the economics of innovation and technological change, and development in several journals and books. He is the lead author of the 2019, 2020, 2021/22, 2023/24 Human Development Reports. Prior to coming to UNDP he taught at the Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Portugal. He has degrees in physics from Instituto Superior Técnico, in economics from ISEG (Lisbon School of Economics and Management) and a Ph. D. from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with a Fulbright scholarship.

Ambassador Cooreman joined the Belgian Foreign Ministry in 1997 and has been a career diplomat for the past 27 years. Since August 2021, he has been Director-General for Bilateral Affairs (position at Vice-Ministerial level). Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cooreman was Director for Economic Interests at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Brussels and, prior to that, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations in New York. Throughout his diplomatic career, Mr. Cooreman had the following diplomatic assignments: Economic Attaché at the Belgian Embassy in Kinshasa, Second Secretary at the Belgian Embassy in Tokyo, Advisor for Asian and African affairs at the cabinet of the Foreign Minister, Head of the Belgian Representation to Afghanistan, Political Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Belgian Embassy in Bangkok, Political Counselor at the Belgian Embassy in Washington, DC, Diplomatic Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, Ambassador to Colombia and Venezuela (with residence in Bogota), Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations in New York and (in 2019 and 2020) to the UN Security Council; Director for Economic Interests and Director-General for Bilateral Affairs. Before joining the Foreign Service, Mr. Cooreman worked as a brand manager for Vandemoortele, a Belgian fast- moving consumer goods company. In 1996, he also worked briefly for the UN Secretariat in New York on management reform issues. Mr. Cooreman holds a degree in Economics from the University of Ghent (Belgium) and a Master in Marketing Management from Vlerick Business School (Ghent, Belgium), as well as a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Tufts University, Medford, MA). He is fluent in Dutch (mother tongue), French, English and Spanish and also speaks some German.

Miriam Coronel Ferrer is co-founder of the Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators (www.seawpm.com). A former professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, she chaired the government panel that negotiated and signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on 27 March 2014. From January 2018-January 2021, Prof. Ferrer was a member of the United Nations’ Standby Team of Senior Mediators. In this capacity, she provided mediation support to UN missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Maldives, Kosovo, Georgia, Southeast Asia, among others. She also supported various undertakings to advance women and youth inclusion in mediation and peace processes. A popular educator, Prof Ferrer has provided mediation training support for the UN and various international NGOs. Currently, she sits in the Board of Trustees of the International Crisis Group and Interpeace (by 2024). She is a member of advisory bodies of Harvard University’s Negotiations Strategies Institute, the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, and the Peace Treaty Initiative.

Dayne Curry is Afghanistan Country Director for Mercy Corps, an international humanitarian and development organization, based in Kabul. Mr. Curry has nearly two decades of experience leading and managing assistance programs in Afghanistan, specializing in food and water security, agricultural development, and private sector and market systems strengthening. Under his leadership, Mercy Corps has recently played pivotal roles in providing sustainable solutions for families and communities adversely affected by chronic and acute onset emergencies, including those affected by the 2023 Herat Earthquakes, those struggling by the impacts of climate change, and Afghans returning from Pakistan and Iran after decades of displacement. Mr. Curry actively provides leadership in numerous coordination forums supporting humanitarian and basic human needs programs in the country, engaging the current Taliban-led de facto government to ensure principled and equitable delivery of assistance to Afghan communities. In addition to his professional background, Mr. Curry holds a Master of International Service from American University in Washington D.C., and a Master of Organizational Leadership from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul (Minnesota).

Rasta Daei is Head of Office / Syria Envoy for the Government of Canada. He is based in Beirut and has held this post since September 2021. He was previously Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Canada to Libya, First Secretary in Mexico (2015 - 2018) and First Secretary in Afghanistan (2009 - 2012). Rasta is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Farsi.

Dr. Dalal Najib is the Senior Director, Science and Engineering Capacity Development, at the Policy and Global Affairs Division of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), where she oversees fellowships, early-career and international capacity building programs. She is the Principal Investigator on multiple US government funded projects and has developed new NASEM collaborative programs in the Arab region, Africa (e.g., the US-Africa Frontiers program), and more recently in Latin America and the Caribbean. From 2011 to 2019, Dr. Najib participated in the co-design and implementation of the USAID-funded Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Program at NASEM, where she managed the Africa, MENA and Central Asia portfolios. Dr. Najib holds a PhD in Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, and a Master’s in Public Policy from University of Michigan. She has a Bachelor's degree in aerospace and aeronautical engineering from Supaero (France).

AUC’s 13th President Ahmad S. Dallal is an accomplished academic leader and renowned scholar with U.S. and regional higher education expertise. Dallal is the former dean of Georgetown University in Qatar and served as provost at the American University of Beirut (AUB) from 2009 to 2015. A prominent scholar of Islamic studies, he has taught at AUB, Stanford University, Yale University, Smith College and Georgetown University, where he also served as chair of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies. He has written and lectured widely on learning in medieval and early modern Islamic societies, the development of traditional and exact Islamic sciences, medieval Islamic thought, the early modern evolution of Islamic revivalism and intellectual movements, Islamic law, and the causes and consequences of the September 11 attacks. His leadership experience includes spearheading institutional transformations that address budget deficits and administrative process reforms; introduce key performance indicators and quality measures for academic programs; and increase scholarly production. He has led the introduction of a range university policies, including overseeing Title lX compliance on discriminatory harassment. He has also increased the socioeconomic diversity of the student body through scholarships and financial aid. With several decades of teaching, research and leadership at some of the top universities in the United States, Dallal is a seasoned expert on U.S.-style liberal arts universities and how they operate. Coupled with that is his extensive experience in the Middle East at both AUB and Georgetown University in Qatar. An engineer by training, Dallal is well versed in STEM disciplines, particularly in the context of liberal arts education. Early in his career, he worked in the aviation industry before going on to earn his master’s and doctorate degrees in Islamic studies. This unique blend of both science and humanities gives Dallal a rare vantage point. Dallal is fluent in English and Arabic, and reads French, German and Persian. He earned his BE in mechanical engineering from AUB and his MA, MPhil and PhD in Islamic studies from Columbia University.

Arwa Damon is a multi-award-winning former Senior International Correspondent for CNN, best known for her ability to draw out nuanced human stories amidst war and other crises. She was one of the networks leading experts on the Middle East. Motivated by witnessing children with catastrophic injuries in warzones lacking access to medical care, Arwa founded the charity INARA in 2015 while she was still at CNN. In 2022, while organizing a Kilimanjaro summit for INARA, she realized the unique opportunity to convey the extraordinary stories of war survivors to a wider audience. Believing in the documentary's impact, Damon took a significant step by leaving CNN to direct and produce “Seize the Summit”. It has long been her passion to transition into the documentary film world, leveraging her extensive 17-year experience in storytelling to present global issues to diverse audiences in innovative ways. Arwa is also a senior non-resident fellow with the Atlantic Council. Arwa graduated with honors from Skidmore College, where she earned a double major in Biology and French, and a minor in International Affairs. Arwa is Syrian-American and fluent in Arabic, Turkish, English, and French.

Alain Délétroz has been serving as the Director General of Geneva Call since January 2018, bringing with him a longstanding experience of nearly three decades in conflict-stricken areas and politically tense contexts.  Mr. Délétroz has extensive expertise in conflict assessment and resolution, democratic reforms, and humanitarian aid. He has worked on the ground in various regions, including Russia, North/South Caucasus, Central Asia, the Andean countries, and West Africa.  Prior to his current role, Mr. Délétroz served as a Fellow at the Geneva Center for Security Policy from 2014 to 2017 and as Vice-President of the International Crisis Group from 2002 to 2013. He was also Director of the Open Society Institute in Tashkent from 1998 to 2002 and a Delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Moscow from 1994 to 1998.  Mr. Délétroz's passion for humanitarian and development work began in Peru, where he focused on adult literacy and capacity building from 1986 to 1991.

Born in Milan, he has been Eni’s CEO since May 2014. He is a member of the General Council and of the Advisory Board of Confindustria and Director of Fondazione Teatro alla Scala. He is a member of the National Petroleum Council. He is one of the founding CEOs of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative and was awarded the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Business Leadership Award in 2022. He joined Eni in 1981 as Oil & Gas field petroleum engineer and then became project manager for the development of North Sea, Libya, Nigeria and Congo. In 1990 he was appointed Head of Reservoir and operating activities for Italy. In 1994, he was appointed Managing Director of Eni’s subsidiary in Congo and in 1998 he became Vice President & Managing Director of Naoc, a subsidiary of Eni in Nigeria. From 2000 to 2001 he held the position of Executive Vice President for Africa, Middle East and China. From 2002 to 2005 he was Executive Vice President for Italy, Africa, Middle East, covering also the role of member of the board of several Eni subsidiaries in the area. In 2005, he was appointed Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the Exploration & Production Division in Eni. From 2006 to 2014 he was President of Assomineraria and from 2008 to 2014 he was Chief Operating Officer in the Exploration & Production Division of Eni. From 2010 to 2014 he held the position of Chairman of Eni UK. In 2012, Claudio Descalzi was the first European in the field of Oil&Gas to receive the prestigious “Charles F. Rand Memorial Gold Medal 2012” award from the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American Institute of Mining Engineers. He is a Visiting Fellow at The University of Oxford. In 2014 he founded the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative together with other CEOs of major Oil & Gas companies to lead the industry’s response to climate change. In December 2015 he was made a member of the “Global Board of Advisors of the Council on Foreign Relations”. In December 2016 he was awarded an Honorary Degree in Environmental and Territorial Engineering by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Rome, Tor Vergata. In May 2022 he was awarded by the Atlantic Council with the Distinguished Business Leadership Award for the extraordinary role he has played in the energy sector at an international level, for the technological transformation of the company aimed at complete decarbonization by 2050 and for his contribution to the new challenge of Italian and European energy security. He graduated in physics in 1979 from the University of Milan.

Rosemary A. DiCarlo of the United States assumed the post of Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs on 1 May 2018. She was appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres and succeeded Mr. Jeffrey Feltman.  As Under-Secretary-General and head of the Department of Political Affairs (DPPA), Ms. DiCarlo advises the Secretary-General on peace and security issues globally, while overseeing "good offices" initiatives and field-based political missions carrying out peacemaking, preventive diplomacy and peace-building activities in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central and Southeast Asia and the Americas. She also oversees the United Nations electoral assistance provided to dozens of its member states each year.  Ms. DiCarlo brings more than 35 years of experience in public service and academia. During her distinguished career with the United States Department of State, she served, among other functions, as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. In that capacity, she represented the United States at the Security Council, General Assembly and other United Nations bodies. Prior assignments included Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, and Director for United Nations Affairs at the National Security Council in Washington, D.C. Her overseas tours took her to the United States Embassies in Moscow and Oslo.  She also served as President of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy from August 2015 to May 2018 and was concurrently appointed a Senior Fellow and Lecturer at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.  Ms. DiCarlo graduated from Brown University with a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in comparative literature, as well as Slavic languages and literature. She speaks French and Russian.  Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Ms. DiCarlo is married.

Mr Luigi Di Maio has been appointed as EU Special Representative for the Gulf region since 1 June 2023.  He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy from September 2019 to October 2022.  In 2022 he was President of the of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.  From June 2018 to September 2019 he held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Minister of Labour and Social Policies.  From March 2013 to March 2018 he was Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies and a Member of the European Union Affairs Committee in the 17th Italian legislature.  During his mandate as Foreign Minister he chaired, among others, the G20 Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting, the G20 Trade Ministers meeting, the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Afghanistan, the June 2021 plenary Ministerial Meeting of the International Anti-Daesh Coalition, as well as the first Mediterranean Ministerial Dialogue on the Food Security Crisis in June 2022.  He was the chair of three annual editions (2019, 2020, 2021) of the MED Dialogue Conference aiming to develop a positive agenda for the wider Mediterranean region, at a time of pandemic and political and economic transition, based on multilateralism as a strategy for conflict resolution.  He was born on 6 July, 1986 in Avellino, Italy.

Is the son of truck driver Joaquim Antônio Neto and teacher Teresinha Araújo Dias. He was born in the city of Oeiras, Piauí, on March 5, 1962, and was raised in Paes Landim, in the Vale do Fidalgo. He is married to Rejane Ribeiro Sousa Dias and has four children: Iasmin, Vinicius, Daniele, and Jáiro. He studied Literature at the Federal University of Piauí (1982). He also studied Public Policies and Government at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1998) and completed specializations abroad.  A banker and writer, Wellington worked at the Banco do Nordeste do Brasil, Banco do Estado do Piauí, and Caixa Econômica Federal, from which he is a retired career employee. He also worked at Rádio Difusora de Teresina. He joined the PT (Workers' Party) in 1985 and began his union activities as a member of the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT) and president of the Caixa Econômica Federal Employees Association (Apcef) from 1986 to 1989. He served as president of the Bank Workers' Union of Piauí from 1989 to 1992.  He also ventured into literature. He is a short story writer and author of the book Macambira, which won an award in 1980 and was published in 1995. Several of his other short stories were also awarded, including Maria Valei-me (1984), which received an honorable mention in the "João Pinheiro Short Story Contest" organized by the Piauí State Department of Culture. He wrote the plays Reisados da Minha Terra and Estamos Todos Inocentes. His works were included in the anthologies O Conto na Literatura Piauiense (1981) and Novos Contos Piauienses (1984). He launched the book As Tiradas de Tio Sinhô in June 2007.  Wellington Dias began his political career in 1992 as a city councilor in Teresina. In 1994, he was elected state deputy, eventually becoming president of the PT's regional chapter, where he served from 1995 to 1997. In 1998, he became the first PT federal deputy elected in Piauí. He resigned from his position as federal deputy on November 29, 2002, and was elected, in the first round, as governor of Piauí for the coalition "A Vitória que o Povo Quer," with Osmar Ribeiro de Almeida Júnior as vice-governor.O governador Wellington Dias foi reeleito em 2006 com 61,7% do total, obtendo 266.579 votos a mais do que na sua primeira disputa para governador, e deixou o cargo em março de 2010 para disputar as eleições ao Senado Federal, sendo eleito com votação histórica (997.513 votos).  Governor Wellington Dias was re-elected in 2006 with 61.7% of the total votes, receiving 266,579 more votes than in his first gubernatorial race, and left office in March 2010 to run for the Federal Senate, where he was elected with a historic vote count (997,513 votes).  In 2014, he was once again elected governor of the state in the first round. In 2018, Wellington Dias was re-elected for a fourth term, also in the first round. During this term, the former governor faced a political and economic crisis, with an opposition president in power, as well as a health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, the state of Piauí continued to improve its Human Development Index (HDI), experienced economic growth, and ranked second in the Northeast and seventh in the country for formal job creation. Additionally, it ranked second in Brazil for vaccination efforts.  Given the positions shared among governors regarding the unlinking of federal revenues, the social security reform proposed by the Bolsonaro government, the federal pact in Brazil, the hiring of doctors after Cuba's exit from the "More Doctors" Program, federal budget cuts in education, and gun policy, the Interstate Consortium for Sustainable Development of the Northeast (Northeast Consortium) was created. Wellington Dias played a crucial role in institutionalizing the project, which aims to promote sustainable and integrated development in the region, allowing for joint public procurement and the integrated implementation of public policies, including the provision of public services such as education, communication, health, infrastructure, and public safety.  In September 2020, Dias assumed the presidency of the Northeast Consortium and became known for his efforts to independently procure vaccines from the Federal Government, as well as his public policies in health, social, and economic development. In December 2021, the former governor of Piauí received the Sérgio Arouca Health Award for his work during the pandemic, serving as coordinator of the COVID vaccination efforts and pandemic response at the National Governors Forum and as president of the Northeast Consortium.  In 2022, Wellington Dias was the national coordinator of the Brazilian Governors Forum. In March, he stepped down as governor to run for the Federal Senate, to which he was elected. He also served as the national coordinator of Lula's campaign for the presidency of the Republic.

Career diplomat, Minister Diop has a long experience in strategic and political positions, both at national and international levels. He was the Diplomatic advisor to the first President of the democratic era in Mali, and then to his successor, before representing Mali in Washington D.C as Ambassador to the United States. His international career led him to the United Nations, where he headed the World Food Program (WFP) Africa Office to the African Union and the Economic Community for Africa (ECA) in Ethiopia and was WFP Director in Malawi. He also served as Chief of Staff of the President of the African Union Commission. Combining his passion for football with his professional skills, Minister Diop has also been an independent member of the FIFA Governance and Control Commission.  Fully committed to taking into account the principles set by the Head of State of Mali regarding the conduct of public action, Minister Diop, through his committed and at the same time subtly diplomatic positions, embodies to international actors and a large part of African civil society the vision of Mali’s refoundation: “Mali Kura”.  H.E. Abdoulaye Diop holds the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali for the second time since his appointment in June 2021. He is committed to putting his rich experience, network of international contacts and expertise in crisis prevention, management and resolution at the service of the ideals and values defended by Mali, the Sahel and Africa.  Committed to the search for a lasting solution to the crisis in Mali, he led the government delegation during the negotiations that led to the cessation of hostilities between the Malian army and rebel movements.  Graduate of the ENA in Algiers and the International Institute of Public Administration in Paris, Honorary Doctor in Public Service from the University of Chatham, Pennsylvania, USA, HE Abdoulaye Diop is a passionate artisan of culture for peace. In this capacity, he initiated the strategy of cultural diplomacy in Mali.

Lyse Doucet is a Canadian journalist who is the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent and senior presenter who reports on the BBC’s domestic and global channels as well as news podcasts. Her career began with postings in Abidjan, Kabul, Islamabad, Tehran, Amman, and Jerusalem. Lyse’s work has been recognized by many media and charity awards including, most recently, the 2024 Chesney Gold Medal from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the 2023 Zenger Award for Press Freedom from the University of Arizona, a 2022 Royal Television Award for Ukraine coverage from Ukraine as part of the BBC News at Ten team, and Broadcaster of the Year from the London Press Club in 2021. Lyse received an OBE in 2014 in the Queen’s Honours List, and the Order of Canada in 2019. She has a BA Hons from Queen’s University, a Master’s from the University of Toronto, and twenty honorary doctorates from leading British and Canadian universities. She is a senior fellow at U of T's Massey College. Lyse is a founding member of the Marie Colvin Journalists' Network to support Arab women journalists, and a trustee of Friends of Aschiana UK which supports Afghan street children.

Lisa Doughten was appointed OCHA’s Director of Financing and Partnerships Division in November 2022.  Doughten brings over 30 years’ experience in humanitarian and development settings, with a strong commitment to creating impact through strategic partnerships and financing solutions, managing international operations and gender equality. Between 2008 to 2022, she served in various leadership roles in OCHA, UNICEF and UN Women building partnerships, financial support and advocacy for people affected by crises and poverty.  Prior to that, she focused on field operations through her work with the World Food Programme (2004-2008) and the US Agency for International Development’s Disaster Assistance Response Team in the former Yugoslavia (1993-1998).  She also worked for a private sector consulting firm, during which she designed and implemented disaster preparedness and response plans in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Doughten, an American national, has an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a BA in International Studies from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Ms. Celeste Drake was appointed as the Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in August 2023. She is a seasoned policy advisor with extensive experience in labour, trade and economic policy. Ms. Drake began her professional career as a high school economics and world history teacher before transitioning into key advisory roles within the U.S. government.  Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council and top labour advisor to President Joseph R. Biden, where she played a pivotal role in shaping labour and industrial strategies. In this capacity, she spearheaded initiatives focused on infrastructure and clean energy investments, ensuring collaboration between public and private sectors to foster high-quality workforce training, including Registered Apprenticeships, and promote decent work in industries including manufacturing, clean energy, and construction.  Prior to this, Ms. Drake was appointed as President Biden’s first-ever Made in America Director, where she established and led an office within the Office of Management and Budget, working with employers and trade unions to implement infrastructure, industrial, and procurement policies.  Her previous roles include leading government affairs at the Directors' Guild of America and serving as the Trade and Globalization Policy Specialist at the AFL-CIO. At the AFL-CIO, Ms. Drake was instrumental in advocating for trade policy reforms to support inclusive growth and shared prosperity. She worked closely with governments, trade unions, and employers on major international trade initiatives, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Additionally, Ms. Drake has significant experience on Capitol Hill, having worked with U.S. Representatives Linda Sánchez (California) and Lloyd Doggett (Texas), focusing on labour, trade, education, and health policy. Her career is distinguished by a strong commitment to advancing workers' rights and promoting equitable economic policies. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in Public Policy, and a law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). 

Renata Dwan is Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology where sheled support to the elaboration of the Global Digital Compact approved by heads of state at theUN Summit of the Future in September 2024.Renata has driven multilateral cooperation initiatives for over 25 years within and outside theUN. As Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) she ledinitiatives on digital technology governance and arms control. As chief of peacekeeping policy and best practices, she drove major UN-widereform and partnership initiatives including dialogue on the responsible use of technologies inUN peace operations.As Deputy Director of Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Renata oversaw the Institute’s research agenda and digital initiatives. Her policy research experience also includes serving as Programme Director at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the EastWest Institute and visiting fellow to the EU Institute for Security Studies. Renata received her B.A, M.Phil and D.Phil inInternational Relations from Oxford University, UK where she was Hedley Bull Research Fellow and a Fulbright (US) scholar. Renata has published widely on international policy and security issues. She is an Irish national.

Dr. Chris Elias is the president of the Global Development Division, where he leads the foundation’s efforts in a diverse range of program areas aimed at finding creative new ways to ensure solutions and products get into the hands of people in poor countries who need them most. Focusing on areas with the potential for high-impact, sustainable solutions that can reach hundreds of millions of people, Chris oversees Global Development’s portfolio in Emergency Response; Polio Eradication; Immunization, Primary Healthcare and Global Funds and Agencies, and oversees the foundation’s work in Africa and Southeast Asia. A common theme of these programs is innovative and integrated delivery and strengthening primary health care systems. Chris’s professional background is in public health and medicine. Prior to joining the Gates Foundation in February 2012, he worked in various positions and countries for international nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the president and CEO of PATH, an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of people around the world by advancing technologies, strengthening systems, and encouraging healthy behaviors. Chris holds a medical degree from Creighton University, having completed postgraduate training in internal medicine at the University of California San Francisco, and a master’s in public health from the University of Washington, where he was a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program. He also holds honorary degrees from Creighton University and the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine.

Dr Hossam Elsharkawi is MENA Regional Director for IFRC and has over 35 years of professional experience in the humanitarian world, spanning assignments in more than 40 countries, comprising volunteer and professional work with many National Societies, ICRC and IFRC. He was previously Vice President of Health in Emergencies, Learning and Innovation at the Canadian Red Cross, where he led the preparedness and response for complex humanitarian emergencies.  Hossam has been leading the preparedness and response to complex humanitarian emergencies – including epidemics, earthquakes, hurricanes, and wars. He has managed teams responding to catastrophic events domestically and internationally. He focuses on capacity strengthening of local efforts, learning and innovation. He worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, where he developed the guidance document for medical teams responding to health emergencies in armed conflict and insecure environments (The Red Book).  He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia and guest faculty at McGill and McMaster Universities. He teaches disaster response and healthcare in complex humanitarian crises. He has authored or edited more than a dozen publications and presentations on issues dealing with humanitarian work, disaster response, healthcare and medical technology, and capacity building.

First Lady Emine Erdoğan has practiced the spirit of philanthropy, which she inherited from her family, in all fields of her life and lent a helping hand to thousands of people.  Mrs. Erdoğan launched several country-wide campaigns to encourage girls’ and women’s education and emphasize the importance of early childhood education. Mrs. Erdogan also supported the “Voluntary Envoys” project to promote volunteering in society and harmonize public services.  In 2017, Mrs. Erdoğan launched the “Zero Waste” project (ZWP) in order to call attention to climate change, fight plastic pollution, and encourage sustainable waste and resource management. More recently, Mrs. Erdoğan pioneered the adoption of the Zero Waste Resolution at the UNGA presented by Türkiye and co-sponsored by 105 member countries. As a result of this resolution, March 30 is declared as International Zero Waste Day, and UNSG’s Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, of which she took over as a chair, is established to promote zero waste practices worldwide. Most importantly, First Lady Erdoğan has drawn global attention to the crises rising from different geographies in the world. She personally traveled to Somalia in 2011, to Myanmar in 2012 and to Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh in 2017 despite critical security threats and provided humanitarian aid to the region. She has made a global appeal with more than 15 leaders' spouses against the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Also, under her leadership, Türkiye is hosting more than 1500 Ukrainian war victim children and supports various country-wide projects for disadvantaged groups, including refugees. First Lady Erdoğan has been recognized for her humanitarian and volunteer efforts through several international awards.

Dr Comfort Ero was appointed Crisis Group’s President & CEO in December 2021. She joined the organization as West Africa Project Director in 2001 and rose to become Africa Program Director and then, in January 2021, Interim Vice President. Dr Ero has spent her entire career working on or in conflict-affected countries. In between her two tenures at Crisis Group, she served as Deputy Africa Program Director for the International Centre for Transitional Justice (2008-2010) and, prior to that, Political Affairs Officer and Policy Advisor to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Mission in Liberia (2004-2007). She has a PhD from the London School of Economics, University of London. Dr Ero sits on various boards and advisory bodies.

His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye is the fourth President of the Republic of Senegal, having assumed office on April 2, 2024 at the age of 44 years. He is the youngest democratically elected president in Africa, embodying a new generation of leaders committed to change and modernization on the continent. Born on March 25, 1980, in Ndiaganiao, President Faye distinguished himself early on with an unwavering commitment to public service for the development of his country.  He holds a degree in private law from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar and completed his specialization at the National School of Administration (ENA), where he was trained to the highest standards of public administration, later becoming a tax and land inspector.  He held key positions within the Senegalese administration, notably at the Directorate General of Taxes and Domains where he earned a reputation for excellence and integrity. Politically, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye left a lasting mark on the national landscape by co-founding the PASTEF – Les Patriotes party in 2014. He assumed strategic responsibilities within the party, notably as Coordinator of Cadres and later as Secretary General from 2022 to 2024. His vision, centered on just, equitable, and transparent governance, garnered widespread support from the Senegalese population, particularly among the youth. A multilingual leader, President Faye speaks French, Wolof, and Serer fluently. Married and a father of two, he is also passionate about martial arts and agriculture, remaining deeply attached to the cultural and rural roots of his country.His presidency is focused on deep and lasting reforms, targeting institutional governance, the fight against corruption, and economic modernization. His vision is to build a prosperous and inclusive Senegal, where every citizen, without distinction, benefits from the country’s development. His pragmatic approach and openness to dialogue make him a key player on the international stage, seeking balanced and mutually beneficial partnerships. His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye embodies rigor, ambition, and innovation, and aspires to strengthen national unity while fully integrating Senegal into the dynamics of African integration and global exchanges.

Ghida Fakhry is an international broadcast journalist with 25 years experience working for major global tv networks, including Aljazeera English. Based in London, she is currently Host and Executive Producer for TRT World’s flagship global affairs program Bigger than Five.  As a former Lead Anchor for the Americas broadcast center of AJE, Ghida reported extensively from the United Nations headquarters in New York, conducting sit-down interviews with heads of state and government.   Over the last two decades, Ghida has moderated high-level panels with world leaders and Nobel laureates, as well as leading economists, politicians, human rights activists and artists for the World Economic Forum;  UN and its Specialized Agencies; the World Bank; the Nobel Center; the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates; the Doha Forum and other leading international non-governmental organizations.   She is a highly-experienced moderator who combines a deep understanding of global issues with sharp interviewing skills and an ability to steer dynamic and engaging discussions around some of the world’s most pressing and challenging issues.   Ghida holds a Masters degree in International Relations and a Masters degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. She is fluent in English, French and Arabic. 

Yassine Fall is Senegal Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs.  She is an economist with over 30years of experience in public policy, multilateral governance and management in Africa and around the world. She was educated in Senegal, France, and the United States. She completed fifteen years in the United Nations system in New York finishing her tenure as Director of Economic Division. As Director of UN INSTRAW she restored and transformed the agency. She served as Senior Economic Advisor at the UN Millennium and made a significant contribution to the 2005 UN sponsored book, “The End of Poverty”. Prior to joining the UN, she worked for 13 years in international consulting focusing on a range of issues including macroeconomic policy, poverty eradication, environmental management, land tenure, and emergency humanitarian operations.Through her knowledge of the rural world, she led missions on rural forestry programs, agricultural, pastoraland land tenure issues. She developed socio-economic initiatives for the most marginalized communities inEastern Senegal and the River Valley, in Casamance and for fishermen of the coast of Senegal. She carried out programatic work in remote localities in Guinea Bissau; in conflict zones among the Touareg communities refugees in Mauritania, during post-genocide in Rwanda, in refugees and humanitarian assistance settings in Somalia, Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania and in South Africa, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC and Senegalese to address domestic workers' rights.Yassine Fall led for 4 years and uplifted AWORD, one of the oldest non-Governmental organizations in Africa that that strongly positioned women in African academia and research. She launched AWOMI in 2006 and for the following 10 years organized the Young Women Knowledge and Leadership Institute (YOWLI). YOWLI brought together hundreds of young women and men from Africa and its Diaspora and strengthened their economic knowledge, their multilateral development analysis and leadership abilities. YOWLI helped produce many young African leaders presently working in international development, at the local level, in stateinstitutions and in the private sector.After retiring from the UN, Yassine Fall supported private sector innovation initiatives while launching a social justice movement. She has been active promoting social justice and democratic transition in Senegal and West Africa. She run as Presidential Candidate in 2019 and later joined the party Pastef les Patriotes becoming Vice President of the Party in charge of International Relations. She is fluent in Wolof, her own language, French, English, Spanish and has conversational Portuguese level.

Cynthia Farid is a lawyer at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and is currently a Global Academic Fellow at the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law. Dr. Farid’s research interests include socio-legal history, constitutional and administrative law, law and development (with a focus on South Asia), and knowledge production processes in the Global South.

Hamish Falconer was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 18 July 2024. He was elected as the MP for Lincoln in July 2024.

María Fernanda Espinosa is the first woman from Latin America and the Caribbean to be President of the United Nations General Assembly (2018-2019). She has over 30 years of multilateral experience in international negotiations, peace, security, defense, disarmament, human rights, Indigenous peoples, gender equality, sustainable development, environment, biodiversity, climate change, and multilateral cooperation. She has served Ecuador as Minister of Foreign Affairs (twice), Minister of National Defense, and Coordinating Minister of Natural and Cultural Heritage. She was the first woman to become Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations in New York (2008). Currently, she is President of Cities Alliance and Executive Director of Global Women Leaders for Change and Inclusion. She is also a member of leading international organizations, including the International Crisis Group, Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the UN Advisory Board on Human Security, and the Generation Equality Forum. She chairs the work of the Coalition for the Un We Need, Debt Relief for a Green and Inclusive Recovery, Global Commission on the Economics of Water, and Global Commission on Climate Governance. Throughout her career, she has published over 50 scholarly articles, op-eds, reports, and book chapters on issues ranging from peace and security, geopolitics, and multilateralism to trade and investment, sustainable development, human rights, and climate change.

Brian Finlay is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Stimson Center. Under his tenure since 2016, Stimson has transformed its business model, launched pioneering new engagements across Asia, and industry-defining programming on environmental security, renewable energy, and technology. As a result, the Center has quadrupled in size and continues to dramatically outperform similarly sized institutions in global rankings. Stimson today boasts the most diverse and inclusive workforce of any major Washington think tank. Brian previously served as Vice President, Managing Director, and Senior Fellow at Stimson. Prior to joining the Center, he served as executive director of a Washington-based lobbying initiative focused on counterterrorism issues and as a researcher at the Brookings Institution. Prior to emigrating to the United States from his native Canada, Brian served with the Public Health Agency and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of iMMAP, an information management and data analytics organization focused on improving humanitarian relief and development coordination. Brian was an adjunct professor at American University in Washington, and today sits on the Editorial Board of Global Security, a journal of health, science and policy published by Routledge, Taylor & Francis. With expertise in nonproliferation, transnational crime, counter-trafficking, and supply chain security, Brian holds an M.A. from the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, a graduate diploma from the School of Advanced International Studies, the Johns Hopkins University and an honors B.A. from Western University in Canada.

Hakan Fidan is appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the new cabinet formed after the second round of the presidential elections held on May 28, 2023. He was born in Hamamönü, Ankara in 1968.Having graduated from the Turkish Military Academy and the Land Forces Language School, Fidan pursued a significant part of his academic studies during his service in the Turkish Armed Forces. While on a NATO mission abroad, he obtained bachelor's degree in Politics and Administrative Science from the University of Maryland University College. He then obtained his master's and doctoral degrees from the Department of International Relations at the Bilkent University.Following his service in the Turkish Armed Forces, Fidan focused on academic life and gave lectures in the field of International Relations at Hacettepe University and Bilkent University.He held critical positions in the state administration in foreign policy and security domains. He served as the President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, Deputy Undersecretary responsible for foreign policy and security issues at the Prime Ministry, Board Member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Special Representative of the Prime Minister, Deputy Undersecretary of the National Intelligence Organization, Undersecretary/Director of the National Intelligence Organization, and Special Representative of the President.Fidan was appointed as the Undersecretary/Director of the National Intelligence Organization on May 27, 2010, and served in that position for 13 years.Fidan is married and has three children.

Marie Forestier is a policy analyst and a researcher with over a decade of experience in conflict-affected countries in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. As a Senior Advisor at the European Institute of Peace (EIP), Marie provides strategic policy advice to diplomats and international stakeholders on the Syrian political process. She is also the co-director of the Syria Strategy Project. Previously, she was previously a researcher and advisor on refugee rights in the Middle East region at Amnesty International. In her previous work with international organizations and NGOs, Marie researched human rights issues, the gender impact of counter-terrorism policies in Syrian and in Iraq and developed gender analyses and policy recommendations in order to increase women’s participation in peace processes in Syria and in Yemen. Marie was a visiting fellow at the Center for Women Peace and Security of the London School of Economics, focusing on sexual violence against Syrian women. Marie holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Sciences Po Paris and is a graduate of Columbia University Journalism School.

Laura is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in global development gained through her service in multilateral organizations, government, nonprofit, and more recently the private sector. She started her career at the World Bank, where she worked for 20 years, holding several technical and managerial positions in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. She was then appointed Director General of the Italian Overseas Development Agency, with the responsibility of setting up the newly created agency under the government of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Prior to joining GPE, Laura led the Global Development Assistance Service Practice at KPMG, which supports initiatives that create real value for investors and for society. These include implementation improvement and restructuring to help governments function better in areas such as infrastructure, education and finance. In the aftermath of the pandemic, an increasing amount of her work related to vaccine distribution and COVID-related issues, as well as supporting governments in implementing various types of social protection measures to sustain the most vulnerable groups. She oversaw various teams who managed ongoing relationships with the United Nations, World Bank and other multilaterals. Her senior roles at the World Bank, where she worked extensively in the human development sector, as head of a bilateral development agency, and more recently as head of a large practice in a global consulting firm, give her a deep familiarity with GPE, the issues that GPE is trying to address, and the global development space where its work is situated. Laura is multilingual; beyond her native Italian, she is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Laura served as a board member at the School of Business and Management at the Polytechnic University of Milan and has been a member of the Group of Eminent Advisers to the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), as well as various nonprofit organizations. She was awarded the Star of the Italian Republic in 2014 by the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in recognition of extraordinary merit to the preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad.

Natasha Franceschi is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Levant and Syria engagement in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.  For the previous three years, she served as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. and Deputy Chief of Mission in Tunisia.  Prior to that, she served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Slovakia. Her other previous assignments include Director of the State Department’s Office of Caucasus Affairs and Regional Conflicts, Deputy Director of the Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs; Deputy Political Counselor at U.S. Embassy Baghdad; and Deputy Political Advisor at the U.S. Mission to NATO, where she oversaw NATO’s relationships with its partners in the Middle East and North Africa. She earlier served in Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Bosnia, Russia, and in various positions in the State Department’s Bureaus of Near Eastern and Political-Military Affairs.  DAS Franceschi, a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service with the rank of Minister Counselor, hails from Northern California. She is a graduate of Swarthmore College and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. 

I was called to the Bar in 1978 and became a Queen’s Counsel in 1994. I was appointed as a High Court Judge on 21 November 2002, assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division. I was elected to serve as one of the 18 judges of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) in 2003 for a term of nine years and was assigned to the Trial Division. I served as President of the Trial Division. Until I presided over the Lubanga Case (the ICC’s first trial) in 2005, I continued working as a High Court judge, during which period I tried the 21/7 failed London bombers. I served a nine-year term at the ICC.I was appointed as a Lord Justice of Appeal on 10 May 2013 and I served as the Senior Presiding Judge from 1 January 2016 until 31 March 2017.On 27 February 2017, I was appointed as the first Investigatory Powers Commissioner, providing judicial oversight of the use of investigatory powers by public authorities. I was appointed as Vice President of the Court of Appeal Criminal Division on 20 October 2019. I was (re)appointed on 16 January 2023 as a judge of the Court of Appeal, sitting in retirement. On 1 July 2023, I was appointed as the Chair of the Security Vetting Appeals Panel. I sit on the Courts of Appeal of Guernsey, Jersey and Gibraltar. On 1 November 2024, I became Chair of the IEP (the disciplinary body for Members of the House of Commons).

 Sidonia Gabriel is a critical observer of the geopolitical evolution and an innovative nexus thinker. For over 20 years, her focus lies in conflict analysis, peace processes, dialogue facilitation, negotiation and mediation as well as working peace throughout humanitarian, development and security cooperation. She has worked as a Human Security Advisor for the Swiss FDFA in Sri Lanka and Mozambique; prior to that she had advisory functions for the European Union, the United Nations as well as for local and international civil society organisations in various contexts. As a board member of Peace Women Across the Globe (PWAG) and as a member of the network Swiss Women in Peace Processes (SWIPP) she is strengthening women’s participation in political and mediation processes. She is currently a Senior Advisor for Fragility, Conflict and Human Rights at the Peace, Governance and Equality section of the Swiss Development Cooperation.