PRE-EXPO URBAN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK

3-4 NOVEMBER 2020 Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 Please note that all timings are GMT + 4

10:00am Welcome Remarks

H.E. Reem Al Hashimy Director General of Expo 2020 and UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation

10:08am Keynote Remarks

Helmut von Struve Chief Executive Officer, Siemens UAE & Middle East

10:11am Keynote Remarks

Maimunah Mohd Sharif Executive Director, UN-Habitat

Siemens Panel

10:30am Digitalisation, Collaboration and Storytelling: The Building Blocks for Future Smart Cities

Emily Feavel Oliver Kraft Nadimeh Mehra Moderator Executive Vice President, Vice President, Head of Programme Expo 2020 Dubai, Siemens District 2020 Management, Expo 2020 Dubai, Siemens

Expo Family Talks

11:30am | Peace-building, Museums, and Rural/Urban Development: A Philippine Project

Marian Pastor Roces Independent Curator, Critic & Cultural Planner for Urban Development; President of TAOINC

12:00pm UPS

Peter Harris International Sustainability Director, UPS

12:15pm

Dr. Konstantin Trofimenko Director of Centre for Research of Urban Transport Problems, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow

12:30pm UAE University | Future Socially Smart House Design in Urban Communities: Utilising Resilience and e-Participation

Dr. Khaled Galal Ahmed Associate Professor, Urban Social Sustainability and Resilience Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 Please note that all timings are GMT + 4

Lightning Talks

1:00pm Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) | For the Last Mile

Mr. David Lecoque Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE)

1:10pm Doh Eain | Restoring Urban Infrastructure

Beverley Salmon Deputy Director, Doh Eain

1:15pm Barefoot College

Expo Family Talks

1:30pm Bahamas | How do We Live & Grow in Harmony with Our Planet?

Henry A. Hepburn Edward A. Fields Principal, Henry A. Hepburn Managing Director, Associates - Architects, Downtown Nassau Urban Planners, Partnership Interior Designers

1:32pm

Hon. Virginia Raggi Carlo Ratti Stefano Boeri Mayor of Rome Architect & Co-designer of Architect & President the Italian Pavilion, of the Triennale di Expo 2020 Dubai Milano Foundation

1:40pm USA Trevor Pawl Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification

1:48pm Askhat Saduov Architect, Urban Planner, Director of Institute of Urbanism QazUrban

4:00pm Made for People - Making Liveable and Loveable Public Spaces

Amin Gafaranga Asif Khan MBE Prof. Donald Bates Franco Atassi Founder, Architect and Designer, Architecture Chair, CEO, Siemens Smart Atelier, UK Melbourne School of Design, Infrastructure Middle East University of Melbourne,

Dr. Jennifer Camulli Vilma Jurkute, Dr. Robert Platt Dr. Victor Pineda Manager, People with Director, Moderator President and Founder, Accessible Needs, Alserkal Avenue, Vice President, Pineda Foundation and World Expo 2020 Dubai UAE Visitor Experience, ENABLED, USA Expo 2020 Dubai Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 Please note that all timings are GMT + 4

Expo Family Talks

11:00am KSA | NEOM: Smart City of the Future

Sulaiman AlShammasi Antoni Vives Giovanna Carnevali Senior Architect in Urban Chief Urban Development Executive Director of Urban Development, NEOM Officer, NEOM Planning, NEOM

11:07am | Digital Platforms for the Design of Carbon Neutral Cities Dr. Paulo Ferrão Full Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico - University of Lisbon

11:16am Ambassador Carmen Gisela Vergara Executive Director of PROPANAMA, is an expert in International Trade, Business, Negotiations, and Trade Facilitation.

11:25am | NEST+: A Prototype for Environmentally Conscious Home Design

Dr. Gabriella Medvegy Ms. Hajnalka Juhász Mr. David Ojo Dean at University of Pécs, Fac- PhD student, University of Pécs, Assistant Teacher at University ulty of Engineering and IT, Full Faculty of Engineering and IT of Pécs, Faculty of Engineering Professor in Architecture and IT, Architect (MSc)

UN-Habitat Spotlight

12:00pm No Limits: Solutions for Last Mile Services in Slums and Informal Settlements

Dr. Shipra Narang Suri Hon. Kwasi Adjei-Boateng Ms. Mai Floor Moderator Deputy Minister, Ghana Executive Director, Chief, Urban Practices WaterLinks Branch, Global Solutions Division UN-Habitat

Ms. Salma Mousallem Mr. Andrea Panizzo Mobility Program Officer, Co-founder EVA Studio UN Habitat

Expo Family Talks 12:30pm

Mr. Franc Bogovič Mr. Matjaž Logar Mr. Andrej Kotar Ms. Tjaša Ficko Member of the European Executive Director, Strategic Chair of Program Board, Deputy Mayor, Parliament Research & Innovation Strategic Research & city of Ljubljana Partnership Innovation Partnership Smart Cities & Communities Smart Cities & Communities Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 Please note that all timings are GMT + 4

12:45pm International Labour Organisation (ILO) | The Future of Work in Rural Economies Simel Esim Head, Cooperatives Unit, ILO

The 1:30pm Circular Economy and Water H.E. Hans Sandee Arnoud Molenaar Tjeerd Haccou David Spierings Commissioner General of the Chief Resilience Officer, Co-founder Space and Lead Architect, Dutch Netherlands at Expo 2020 City of Rotterdam Matter Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai and Consul General of the V8 Architects Kingdom of The Netherlands to Dubai.

Expo Family Talks

2:00pm Jacobs | Planning for the Future: Key Principles for Planning and Designing our New Urban and Rural Environments Mr. Manosh De Middle East Technical Lead – Cities & Places, Jacobs

2:15pm Mace | Transforming Infrastructure in : Building Resilient Urban and Rural Communities Mr. Oliver Conde Regional Manager - Latin America and Country Manager - Peru, Mace

2:30pm | The “Smart Enough” City Dr. Passakon Prathombutr Senior Executive Vice President, and CTO Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA)

Women’s Pavilion Panel Discussion 3:30pm Women Leading the Charge in Rural Development

Hind Al Owais H.E. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko Moderator Assistant Secretary General Commissioner for Rural Vice President, Head of Social Affairs Sector Economy and Agriculture of the Participant Management, League of Arab States African Commission Expo 2020 Dubai

Dr. Astghik Mirzakhanyan Fiza Farhan UNDP Expert on Social Social Entrepreneur and Vulnerability and Gender Issues Development Expert Analyst Member of the UNSG’s Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 Please note that all timings are GMT + 4

The Executive Council Dubai Panel Discussion

5:00pm People-Centric Cities / Towards More Livable Cities by 2030

HE Dawood Abdul Hon. Mxolisi Kaunda Diana Alarcón González Divya Prakash Vyas Rahman Al-Hajri Mayor of eThekwini Chief Advisor & Director Deputy Regional Director, Director-General, Municipality International Affairs, South & West Asia, Dubai Municipality City C40 Cities

Davide Ponzini, PhD Eng. Sanaa Al Aleeli Mahra Al Shamsi Hanan AlHashmi Associate Professor Director, Urban Design Section Moderator Dept of Architecture Urban Planning & Studies Manager, Urban Plannaer, and Urban Studies, Department, Dubai Municipality Dubai Municipality Politecnico di Milano Dubai Municipality PRE-EXPO URBAN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT SPEAKER’S LIST H.E. Reem Al Hashimy Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai and UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation

In February 2016, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy was sworn in as Minister of State for Inter- national Cooperation, in the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Ad- ditionally, she holds responsibility within the Cabinet, for the UAE’s bilateral relations with Sub Saharan African countries and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Since her first ministerial appointment in February 2008, Her Excellency has and continues to manage, the Vice President’s Office for Political Affairs, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

In November 2013, as Managing Director of Dubai’s World Expo 2020 bid, Reem oversaw a histor- ic success at the Bureau International des Expositions. Dubai Expo 2020 will be the first held in the MEASA (Middle East, Africa and South Asia region). Her Excellency holds the position of Managing Director of the Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Committee as well as Director General of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, in preparation for the upcoming national milestone.

Since its launch in 2007 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Her Excellen- cy has served as Chairperson of Dubai Cares, a philanthropic organisation with the aim of improv- ing access to quality education in developing countries.

Her Excellency was formerly Chairperson of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, which drives the UAE’s global competitiveness across many sectors.

Her Excellency completed her undergraduate degree at Tufts University, earning a BA in Interna- tional Relations and French, followed by an MA from Harvard University. Prior to her current posi- tion as Minister of State, Her Excellency served as Commercial Attaché, and subsequently Deputy Chief, of the UAE Embassy to the of America, in Washington DC. Helmut von Struve Helmut von Struve was named the CEO of Siemens in the Middle East and the UAE in May 2020, after spending almost 20 years with the company in Chief Executive Officer, leadership roles in , the UAE, Libya and . He has a master’s Siemens Middle East degree in Mechanical Engineering from Technical University in Darmstadt, Germany.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif () is the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), appointed Executive Director of the United at the level of Under-Secretary-General by the Secretary-General, Nations Human Settlements following an election by the General Assembly on 22 December 2017. She Programme (UN-Habitat) succeeds Dr. Joan Clos of . Prior to this appointment, Ms. Sharif was the Mayor of the City Council of Penang Island, Malaysia. In 2011, she was the first woman to be appointed President of the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai. As mayor of a local authority, she led the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai to achieve its vision of a “cleaner, greener, safer and healthier place to work, live, invest and play.” Ms. Sharif began her career as a Town Planner at the Municipal Council of Penang Island in 1985.

In 2003, she was promoted to Director of Planning and Development, a position she held until November 2009. Born in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, on 26 August 1961, Ms. Sharif holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Town Planning Studies from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, UK and a Master of Science in Planning Studies from the Malaysia Science University.

Emily Feavel Emily Feavel serves as the Head of Program Management for Siemens’ Expo 2020 Premier Partnership. Prior to this role, Emily worked as a Head of Programme Management, strategy and business development consultant for Siemens Middle East. Expo 2020 Dubai, Siemens She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Banking & Finance and Economics. Oliver Kraft Oliver Kraft serves as the Executive Vice President Expo 2020 for Siemens, leading Siemens’ Expo activities. Oliver held various global management Executive Vice President , positions across Siemens businesses. He holds a master’s degree in Expo 2020 Dubai, Siemens Business Administration from Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.

Nadimeh Mehra Nadimeh Mehra joined Expo 2020 Dubai in early 2016 and is responsible for the commercial development of the post-Expo site – District 2020 Vice President, District 2020, - supporting its transition into a mixed-use community and innovation- Expo 2020 Dubai focused ecosystem. In this role, she oversees Business Development, Sales and Partnership Management. This includes driving commercial strategy, business and financial planning, ecosystem development and global business engagement, with the aim of supporting the creation of a sustainable legacy and long-term economic opportunities.Prior to joining Expo 2020, Ms. Mehra headed the Development Capital division of UAE- based Daman Investments for 10 years where she had the responsibility of managing the identification, evaluation, marketing and management of selected investment opportunities from initial concept through investment or acquisition.

Ms. Mehra has worked with UAE governmental institutions on foreign direct investments, entrepreneurship development as well as venture capital. Her experience extends beyond the UAE to North America, where she has worked in franchising and entrepreneurship. Marian Pastor Roces Founded and leads the Philippines’ only museum and exhibition curatorship and development corporation, TAOINC. She is also a critic of institutions, Independent Curator, Critic & Cultural whose writing is published globally, in anthologies, by such publishing Planner for Urban Development; Presi- houses as the MIT Press (Massachusetts), Harry Abrams, Inc. (New York), dent of TAOINC Actes Sud (), Fine Arts Press Pty Ltd (Sydney), MCAD and Art Asia Pacific (Manila and Hongkong), and others.

As head of TAOINC, she was responsible for the curation and establishment of major new museums in the Philippines over the past 30 years. Among these museums are: Museum of a History of Ideas (University of the Philippines Manila), Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (College of St. Benilde, School of Design and Art, De La Salle University), the Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino (Cultural Center of the Philippines), the Yuchengco Museum, and the museum to the newly created Muslim Autonomous Region, the Bangsamoro Museum.

Roces also curated 3 consecutive Philippine Pavilions—in World Expos in Aichi, (2005), Zaragoza, Spain (2008), and Shanghai, (2010)— before being commissioned to curate the present country pavilion for Dubai World Expo. The pavilions for Aichi and Zaragoza were awarded Grandes Prix for Best Design by the World Expo organizers.

Under her leadership, TAOINC undertook the cultural planning for the Master Development Plan for the 70+ hectares reserved for the Cultural Center of the Philippines. She has also been leading efforts to deploy museum projects to anchor urban regeneration. At the forefront of museological explorations at the intersection of urbanization, politics, art, identity, and curation, Roces is now also taking up projects that further intersect with climate change adaptation agenda.

As a founding Director of the sustainable development think tank Brain Trust, Inc., Roces has been involved in policy studies in challenging parts of the Philippines. The Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Plan and a poverty alleviation study for the World Bank are among the major studies of Brain Trust.

Peter Harris Having joined UPS in 1989 as an Automotive Supervisor, Peter Harris accepted the role of Sustainability Director for Europe in 2011 and became International Sustainability Director, International Sustainability Director in 2019. In this capacity, he manages all UPS aspects of Sustainability for the organization, from innovation coordination to public policy development, outside the United States. Dr. Konstantin Trofimenko Dr. Konstantin Trofimenko, Director of Centre for Research of Urban Transport Problems (National Research University “Higher School of Director of Centre for Research of Economics”, Moscow), is one of the leading Russian experts in the field of Urban Transport Problems, National urban transport Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow

Dr. Khaled Galal Ahmed Dr. Khaled Galal Ahmed got his PhD from the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, UK in 2003. Besides his working experience as an Associate Professor, Urban Social architect and urban designer, Dr. Khaled is interested in the research issues Sustainability and Resilience, related to socially sustainable and resilient urbanism, housing, community- UAE University oriented design, and community participation.

Mr. David Lecoque David leads the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) - the biggest global business association for the rural electrification sector, delivering on clean Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance energy access across Africa, Asia and Latin America. for Rural Electrification (ARE) Together with his strong team, David drives ARE’s strategy and expansion, provides business facilitation services to ARE’s 170+ member companies and stakeholders, advises governments and development partners on decentralised renewable energy topics, as well as builds partnerships to create the enabling environment needed to achieve SDG7 and broader sustainability.

Prior to ARE, David practised and qualified as an energy and environment lawyer at top-tier international law firms Liedekerke and CMS. David focused on both advisory and litigation around power market design, tariffs, renewable energy support schemes, permitting, energy-related taxation, IPP contracting, waste and pollution.

David (born in in 1987) holds an LL.M in European Law from the College of Europe and a Master of Laws from the Free University of Brussels. He further graduated from the IBI International Trade Executive Programme, is a certified PRINCE2 Practitioner project management expert and is currently enrolled in an energy and climate finance programme. He speaks English, French, Dutch, German and is starting to learn Mandarin. Beverley Salmon Beverley is an architect whose expertise lies in resilient rural & urban development in an international context, and in the conservation of historic Deputy Director, Doh Eain buildings. She has been involved in various aspects of sustainable building & infrastructure projects throughout Asia & Africa. Her project process has focused on community engagement, participatory design and working with local stakeholders. Bev is particularly passionate about low-tech sustainable interventions. She currently leads operations at Doh Eain.

Henry A. Hepburn Born in Nassau, Bahamas, Henry Hepburn received his high school education at Aquinas College, Nassau and an associate of science in pre- Principal, Henry A. Hepburn Associates engineering, from Saint Gregory’s college, Shawnee, Oklahoma. - Architects, Urban Planners, Mr. Hepburn obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental Interior Designers design and a bachelor of architecture and was later awarded a postgraduate fellowship in integrated rural regional development planning at the settlement study centre in Rehovot, and Kathmandu, . Henry has worked in the field of architecture, interior design and urban planning for 40 years, which includes 10 years in a senior administrative post in the USA and and 23 years as lecturer and coordinator of the architecture programme at the college, now university of the Bahamas.

He has extensive experience, having worked in the USA with the Benham Group, Frankfurt Short Bruza and T.G. & Y. Construction Company; the UK with Donovan Hewitt architects, and Ian Wright Associates; and the Bahamas at the ministry of public works, the department of physical planning, ARCOP ltd. Architects, and Bruce Lafleur & associates architects, planners.

Henry is well travelled, having attended many conferences and seminars globally. He is a registered architect in the USA (Oklahoma) and is a member of the American Institute of Architects, royal institute of British architects and institute of Bahamian architects.

In 1992, Mr. Hepburn formed henry a. Hepburn associates, architects, planners, offering AutoCAD training along with traditional architectural services. Began working at the college of the Bahamas as a lecturer. He was promoted in 1996 to assistant professor, being a coordinator of the architecture programme, 1996 to 2019, served as a contributing member of the small islands sustainability programme, and facilitated the establishment of the bachelor of architecture programme. Edward A. Fields Mr Edward is the General Manager Ocean Club Residences & Marina – responsible for all day to day management of the OCRM Management Managing Director, Downtown Nassau Company, inclusive of all maintenance contracts, financial management Partnership of OCRMMC revenues and expenses, capital projects, Board of Directors Meetings, OCRMMC Annual General Meetings and Memberships. He is also the General Manager, Ocean Club Estates Homeowners Association; responsible for all aspects the day to day management of the homeowners association, inclusive of maintenance contracts, oversight of residential construction issues, financial management of HOA revenues and expenses, capital projects, Board of Directors Meetings, HOA Annual General Meeting and Memberships. Prior to this, Mr Edward served as the Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Retail Services Atlantis (Paradise Island); responsibilities include overseeing all Public Relations, Media Relations, Governmental Affairs, Community Affairs, Internal Communication, Desk Top Publishing, Retail Concessions, Marina Village, Golf Course and Clubhouse Operations, Special Events and Entertainment.

Hon. Virginia Raggi Virginia Raggi is an Italian lawyer and politician serving as Mayor of Rome since 2016 Mayor of Rome

Carlo Ratti Architect and engineer by training, Carlo Ratti is a co - designer of the Italian Pavillion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Ratti teaches at MIT, where he directs Architect & Co-designer of the Italian the Senseable City Lab. He also serves as co-chair of the World Economic Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai Forum Global Council on the Future of Cities and Urbanization. Stefano Boeri Stefano Boeri is an Italian architect and urban planner. He is the President of the Triennale di Milano Foundation and a professor at Polytechnic Architect & President of the Triennale di University of . Milano Foundation

Trevor Pawl Trevor Pawl, the Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan, leads the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. He is responsible for Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Office working across state government, academia and private industry to grow of Future Mobility and Electrification Michigan’s mobility ecosystem through strategic policy and new support services for companies focused on the future of transportation.

Askhat Saduov Askhat Saduov is highly creative architect and urban planner with 15+ years’ experience. While at the same time he is able to design building Director of Institute of Urbanism - City plans, as an urban planner he is capable of recommending how land will Improvement Assistance Association be used and what types of things are needed to meet the needs of a “QazUrban” community. His expertise covers the design of construction development in different areas including urban, residential, healthcare, recreation and industrial. Amin Gafaranga Amin Gafaranga is the founder of Atelier, a design-thinking academy. Amin is an experience designer whose intent is to create and build better human- Founder, Atelier centred platforms and networks that facilitate collaboration, and inspire innovation and storytelling.

Amin curiously observes cultures as key inspiration to help reimagine and design public spaces such as libraries, museums, art galleries, coffee shops, innovation hubs and knowledge ecosystems.

He is the Chairman of Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, and Vice Chairman of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, the national public broadcaster. Amin holds a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s Degree in Product Design.

Asif Khan MBE Asif founded his practice Asif Khan Ltd. in 2007. His studio is located in East London. He works internationally on projects ranging from landmark Architect and Designer, public buildings, masterplans and exhibitions to explorations of technology UK combined with architecture and nature.

Current major projects include the new Museum of London, a Centre for Contemporary Culture in Almaty, Kazakhstan and the public realm of Expo 2020 Dubai. Notable projects include the Hyundai Pavilion at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics 2018 and the UK Pavilion at Astana .

Asif has been awarded over 30 international awards including Cannes Lion Grand Prix for Innovation, German Design Council’s Architect of the Year 2018, Red Dot Design Award, and received an MBE for services to Architecture in 2017.

Asif is a member on the board of Trustees of the Design Museum, London and lectures globally on his work. Prof. Donald Bates Professor Donald Bates (LFRAIA; FRIBA) is the Chair of Architectural Design, and Associate Dean Architecture Chair, Melbourne School (Engagement) for the Melbourne School of Design, as part of the Faculty of Design, University of Melbourne, of Architecture, Building and Planning, at the University of Melbourne. He Australia is a Founder and Director of LAB Architecture Studio. He is a registered architect in the State of Victoria, and the UK.

Bates graduated with a B.Arch from University of Houston, and has an M.Arch from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Upon graduation, he was invited to teach at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, where he taught from 1983 - 89; and from 1994 - 95. He founded and directed the independent architecture school LoPSiA, in , from 1990-94.

In 1994, Professor Bates and Peter Davidson founded LAB Architecture Studio, and in 1997, LAB won the international design competition for Federation Square, Melbourne. LAB has designed a range of large-scale commercial, cultural, civic and residential projects, numerous master plans, with built works in Australia, Asia, and Europe, and has received numerous awards for these projects. The built projects in the Middle East and Gulf include Abu Dhabi (Guardian Towers), Riyahd (at King Abdullah Financial District) and Beirut (Eden Gardens), as well as proposals for Culture Village, Tatweer Towers, Jumeriah Village Culture Centre and Rasasi D’Or Tower in Dubai.

Professor Bates is a member of the Victorian Design Review Panel, Chair of the University of Melbourne Design Advisory and Review Group, a member of the Metro Rail Arts Advisory Panel, and has been a jury member or chair of more than 27 international architectural design competitions.

Franco Atassi Based in the United Arab , Atassi is responsible for leading the strategy and vision of Smart Infrastructure for Siemens across the Middle CEO, Siemens Smart Infrastructure East. Middle East, UAE Atassi and the team at Smart Infrastructure work with customers in the region to deliver solutions for smart cities and sustainable environments, using Siemens’ strengths in electrification, automation and digitalization. Smart Infrastructure marries energy supply - spanning intelligent control across the grid, solutions from medium voltage substations and points of consumption – with building technology. Bringing these elements together enables a more effective use of energy and opens opportunities ranging from energy storage and prosumption to electric infrastructure and microgrids.

Under Atassi’s leadership, Smart Infrastructure is playing a crucial role in supporting Expo 2020 Dubai to become a blueprint for future smart cities, with the company’s smart building technologies being integrated across the Expo 2020 Dubai site. The digital solutions will connect, monitor and control 137 buildings across the site with MindSphere, the cloud-based operating system for the Internet of Things, powering the collection and analysis of data for intelligent decision-making and actions. The smart technologies will support Expo 2020 Dubai’s targets for energy efficiency, comfort, safety and security.

Prior to his current role, Atassi has held a variety of senior management positions at Siemens during his 25 year tenure with the company. Most recently, he was the Global Head of the company’s Life Science business, based in the United States of America. In this role he was responsible for the vision, strategy, direction, growth initiatives and portfolio development in Life Science, growing the division’s business by more than 65 percent between 2015 and 2018. Dr Jennifer Camulli Jennifer brings 30 years of experience working with people with special needs and access needs. As an accessibility and inclusion consultant, she Manager, People with Accessible Needs, works for Expo 2020 Dubai as Manager, People with Accessible Needs Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE to ensure the built, digital, social and sensory environments will offer full accessibility for all people with access needs. Universal design underpins all facets of disability inclusion.

She reports on context-based sustainability performance, specifically on accessibility and inclusion, as part of the social impact of corporate sustainability, initiatives, to complement the environmental initiatives for the Global Reporting Initiative.

She has facilitated multiple workshops, professional development and has frequently been a presenter at conferences in , Southeast Asia, and now the Middle East. She publishes in a variety of peer-reviewed academic journals, mostly about special needs and advocacy for inclusion. Her recent publishing work provides an employment framework in Dubai for People of Determination.

Vilma Jurkute Vilma has dedicated her career to developing creative industries across New York, Chicago, London and Dubai. She joined Alserkal in 2012 and, in Director, Alserkal Avenue, her time with the organisation, she has been instrumental in its evolution UAE and responsible for overseeing Alserkal Avenue’s physical expansion of US$20 million in 2015. Since its launch, the 500,000 sq ft plot has become a key cultural destination for the MENASA region, housing more than 60 most prominent contemporary art galleries, community and creative spaces.

In 2017, Vilma led and executed the building of Concrete, the first project by Rem Koolhaas’ OMA in the UAE. In 2019, Concrete became the very first project in Dubai’s history to be shortlisted for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Vilma has led Alserkal’s businesses proposition, strategy and development of key revenue streams over the period of eight years to include cultural consulting, cultural content production and execution, and investments in creative businesses. She has been a vocal supporter of growing a creative economy, and a strong advocate for homegrown cultural paradigms developed in the Global South. Vilma has also been the driving force behind Alserkal’s non-profit activities in the arts, which were formalised under Alserkal Arts Foundation in 2019, affirming the organisation’s commitment to artistic production, scholarship and research.

Vilma serves on the advisory boards of the Global Cultural Districts Network and the Jean-Paul Najar Foundation. She holds an Executive MSc in Sustainable Urban Development at the University of Oxford, UK. Her dissertation explores the role of cultural districts in shaping a sense of belonging in young adults, basing it on a case study of Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, thereby connecting the two disciplines of culture and sustainable urban development. Dr Robert Platt Robert Platt’s Expo 2020 responsibilities have included directing the design of the Expo and District 2020 master plans and public realm design. He is Vice President, Visitor Experience, currently responsible for facilitating and integrating the many components Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE of the site’s public realm areas, promoting design consistency that enhances the visitor experience. He also provides urban planning and place making expertise to the District 2020 development team.

Dr Robert has designed, coordinated and implemented high-profile architectural and urban planning projects, including large-scale, mixed-use developments, in the UAE, the UK, , China, , and , and national development planning in and the Caribbean. Dr Robert has been involved in the design of several major urban planning projects in the UAE, including framework planning for city- scale projects such as Dubailand, Internet City, Business Bay and Culture Village.

He is a published contributor to architectural publications, and has undertaken extensive research into urban place-making, including understanding the perceptual and psychological aspects of interactions with physical form and space. Dr Robert holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Natal in South Africa, a Master of Arts in Urban Design from the University of Manchester in the UK, and a PhD in Urban Design from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

Dr. Victor Pineda Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda is a serial social impact entrepreneur, globally recognized expert, and leading scholar on inclusive and President and Founder, Pineda accessible smart cities. He is a two time presidential appointee, and serves Foundation and World ENABLED, USA as the president and founder of Pineda Foundation / World ENABLED, and the film production company Windmills & Giants. Dr. Pineda is highly sought after speaker and senior advisor to governments and fortune 500 companies on innovation, resilience and inclusive design. Dr. Pineda has a proven track record of conceptualizing and executing transformative projects with global companies around the world. He supported the drafting of local and national regulatory frameworks such as the Dubai Disability Strategy, and helped negotiate international agreements including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Habitat’s New Urban Agenda, and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He is a Senior Fellow at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government in Dubai and holds a residency at SF Film. Dr. Pineda directs the Inclusive Cities Lab at UC Berkeley, founded the Global Network for Disability Inclusive and Accessible Urban Development, the GAP-PWD Partner Constituent Group, and co-founded the Smart Cities for All Global Initiative.

Dr. Pineda holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from UCLA’s Luskin School for Public Affairs, a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning, a BA in Political Economy, and a BS in Business Administration. Sulaiman Alshammasi Sulaiman Alshammasi is a Senior Architect within the Urban Planning team at NEOM, responsible for the development and implementation of NEOM’s Senior Architect in Urban Development, core urban development plan. NEOM Sulaiman has over 10 years’ experience in the field of architecture in both and the United States, working on projects across residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality. Prior to joining NEOM, he was a Senior Engineer at the General Authority of Awqaf, where he carried out feasibility studies and master planning on proposed projects within its real estate portfolio.

Sulaiman has previously held a number of roles focused on architecture and design, including at real estate development and management company, Dar Al Tanmiyat, and at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

In these roles, he led liaison with clients, governmental authorities, contractors, vendors, and all necessary parties to ensure the projects met their set timelines and objectives. Sulaiman holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals.

Antoni Vives Antoni Vives is the Chief Urban Development Officer of NEOM. In this role, Antoni is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of Chief Urban Development Officer, NEOM’s regional plan. Prior to joining NEOM, Antoni served as the Deputy NEOM Mayor of Barcelona, vice president of the Metropolitan Area and of the Port of Barcelona. In this role, he was also responsible for the internalization of Barcelona and leading branding for the city abroad. Under his leadership, Barcelona won multiple awards, including the 2014 European Innovation Capital and the 2014 Challenge Award Mayor Bloomberg Philanthropies.

As part of his extensive career in public service, Antoni served as the Secretary of the Cabinet Office of the Catalan Government, where he created the first e-Government Consortium in Spain. During his time there, he founded the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. Antoni has served as a political consultant and analyst for cities and governments across the world through the City Transformation Agency. He is a senior advisor for the London School of Economics.

Antoni is a published author and a regular contributor to the national press. Antoni holds a degree in business administration from the University of Barcelona. Giovanna Carnevali Giovanna Carenvali is the Executive Director of Urban Planning at NEOM. She leads the development and implementation of NEOM’s core urban Executive Director of Urban Planning, development plan, a first-of its-kind model for urban development that NEOM puts communities and nature at its heart and supports NEOM’s ambition to be a beacon for new ways of living and working.

Giovanna has over 20 years’ experience in the fields of urban design and architecture and a track record of designing, managing and delivering award-winning projects. During her career, she has worked in Europe and the Middle East across all stages of the design process, from concept through to detailed design, leading large multi-disciplinary teams on projects of varying sizes and building typologies. Prior to joining NEOM, Giovanna was Director of International Projects at Strelka KB, a leading think-tank in the urban design space in Russia, specializing in urban planning, urban anthropology and economics. In this role, she developed and implemented masterplans, architecture projects and urban standards.

Giovanna has held numerous senior management and director roles as part of her long career in the industry, including at the Mies Van Der Rohe Foundation, and co-founded her own consultancy, Self Arquitectura SLP, which undertook projects across numerous locations in Europe. Giovanna is a guest lecturer at MoMa, Venice Biennale, Sehnzen Biennale,TU Delft, IaaC Barcelona, Moscow Urban Forum and an architecture consultant at the European Commission.

She holds a PhD in Urban Development and Planning from the Universitá degli Studi di Genova, a Master’s degree in Architectural Projects from ETSAB, Barcelona Polytechnic, and a dual Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Genoa and Barcelona Universities.

Dr. Paulo Ferrão Paulo Ferrão is Full Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico - University of Lisbon, and co-founder of IN+, Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research. He is the the President of the COST association. He has been the President of Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia from 2016 to 2019, and Director of the MIT-Portugal Program from 1996 to 2016. He is a member of the Environmental Advisory Committee of Rolls-Royce. Ambassador Carmen Gisela Ambassador Carmen Gisela Vergara, Executive Director of PROPANAMA, Vergara is an expert in International Trade, Business, Negotiations, and Trade Facilitation. Executive Director of PROPANAMA, is an expert in International Trade, Ambassador Vergara is a lawyer by trade. She has served as Secretary Business, Negotiations, and Trade General of the Central American Economic Integration System, Minister of Facilitation. Trade and Industry, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, and has represented Panama in roles such as Alternate Delegate to the OAS.

Dr. Gabriella Medvegy Dr. Gabriella Medvegy is a qualified Architect and a Doctor of Liberal Arts in Architecture. She was involved in the management and oversight of the Full Professor & Dean of the University Hungarian Nest+ project. of Pécs, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.

David Ojo David Ojo graduated from the University of Pécs with his Masters degree in Architecture in 2020. As a student, he was in charge of presenting the Assistant Teacher at the Faculty of Hungarian Nest+ to the jury at the Solar Decathlon ‘19 competition. Engineering and Information Technology, UP. Hajnalka Juhász Hajnalka Juhász is a doctoral student at the Marcel Breuer Architectural Doctoral School, University of Pécs. She is a graduated Masters degree Doctoral student at the Marcel Breuer Architect and was the student leader and one of the main designers of the Architectural Doctoral School, Hungarian Nest+ project. Her work was vital in order to achieve project›s University of Pécs success.

Dr Shipra Narang Suri Dr. Shipra Narang Suri is an urban planner with a Ph.D. in Post-War Recovery Studies from the University of York, UK. She leads UN-Habitat’s Urban Chief, Urban Practices Branch, Global Practices Branch, which is the hub for UN-Habitat’s normative work and Solutions Division - UN-Habitat, Nairobi the home of its portfolio of global programmes. The work of the Branch covers all major areas of UN-Habitat’s work such as national urban policies; legislation and governance; urban planning and design; planning and health; public space; urban regeneration; land, housing and shelter; urban economy and finance; urban basic services; safer cities; human rights and social inclusion. Shipra is also the senior advisor within UN-Habitat for local governments and their networks.

Shipra has extensive experience in advising national and local governments, as well as private sector organisations and networks, on issues of urban planning and management, good urban governance and indicators, livability and sustainability of cities, urban safety, women and cities, as well as post-conflict/ post-disaster recovery. She has worked with the United Nations, specifically, UN-HABITAT, UNDP, and UNESCO, as well as international NGOs such as World Vision, and private sector organisations, for over two decades. She is a regular public speaker at national and international fora, and has several publications to her credit.

Hon. Kwasi Adjei-Boateng Hon. Kwasi Boateng Adjei, who hails from the Eastern Region was the headmaster of the New Juaben College of Commerce for fifteen (15) years, Deputy Minister, Ghana and served as the Constituency Chairman of the New Juaben North branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from 1996- to 2000. Hon. Boateng Adjei was appointed the District Chief Executive of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Kuffour administration from 2001 to 2008. He entered the Parliament of Ghana in 2012, and was re-elected to represent the Constituency again in 2016. He is a member to the Youth, Sports and Culture Committee and Public Accounts Committee and also the Vice Chairperson on Local Government and Rural Development of Parliament. Honourable Kwasi Boateng Adjei is currently the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. Ms. Mai Floor Mai Flor is a Filipino national, has degrees in Law and Economics from the University of the Philippines, and 25 years of work experience in the urban Executive Director, WaterLinks water supply and sanitation sector having worked for government, private enterprise and international development institutions. Mai is currently the Executive Director of WaterLinks, a regional network founded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to promote Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs) or peer-to-peer learning between water and wastewater providers in Asia to expand and improve quality access to safe water and sustainable sanitation.

Ms Salma Mousallem Salma Mousallem is currently the Mobility Program Officer at UN Habitat where she is working to promote Bus Rapid Transit and Non Motorized Mobility Programme Officer at UN Transportation in order to improve accessibility in Greater Cairo. Prior to Habitat her work on mobility, Salma was part of the governance team where she worked on the first land readjustment pilot in Egypt. Salma holds a Master of City Planning from University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts and Science from McGill University. Salma started her career in the development field where she worked at UNAIDS on HIV programs for vulnerable populations.

Mr Andrea Panizzo Prior to co-founding EVA Studio with Simone Pagani in February 2015, Andrea graduated with a Master of Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano Co-Founder EVA Studio in 2005, and he practised his design skills working six years for renowned practices, which include Bennetts Associates in London and Massimiliano Fuksas Architects in Rome. He entered the international development design sector in 2010 with an experience as a volunteer in Bolivia. In Haiti, where he was based for five years, he worked with global humanitarian organisations, where he accrued extensive experience in running and delivering public projects for vulnerable communities. Since his return to London in 2016, he has kept working on projects in Haiti and Lebanon, as well as various design schemes in London. His written work regarding the potential role of Architecture within the refugees’ crisis framework was featured in the Public Journal. Mr. Franc Bogovič Franc Bogovič graduated from the Agronomy College at the University in Maribor in 1984, thus becoming an Agricultural Engineer. He was Member of the European Parliament employed as an agricultural extension expert and head of the Cooperation Department in Agrokombinat Krško. He later established a family commerce business, which he successfully managed for 8 years. He became a leader in his local community Koprivnica in 1986. From 1998 to 2011, he was elected mayor of the Municipality of Krško four consecutive times (in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010). During his thirteen-year term of office, he played a significant role in improving the relationships of the municipality as well as the state toward the Krško Nuclear Plant and establishing a permanent nuclear waste repository.

From 2004 he was also the vice president of the Association of European municipalities with nuclear facilities, GMF (Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities). He was elected member of the European Parliament on 25 May 2014 and again on 26 May 2019. He represents the Slovenian People’s Party (SLS) in the European People’s Party (EPP) Political Group in the European Parliament. Before that, he was elected member of the National Parliament of the Republic of Slovenia two consecutive times (in the fifth and sixth terms of office, in 2008 and 2011). He was the Minister for agriculture and environment in the tenth Government of the Republic of Slovenia, from 10 February 2012 to 25 February 2013. He was elected President of the Slovenian People’s Party at the electoral Congress at Brdo pri Kranju on 2 March 2013.

From 2009 to 2013, he was the vice president of the SLS. He started engaging in politics as a young man during the political spring in Slovenia, and is one of the founders and creators of the Slovenian Farmers Association, the first democratic political party in Slovenia after World War II and the predecessor of the Slovenian People’s Party. He speaks English, Croatian and Serbo-Croatian. He is a big proponent of healthy, home- grown food and Smart Villages concept. His favourite leisure activity is to attend to the family apple orchard at his farm. He is married and the father of a daughter and two sons.

Mr. Matjaž Logar A high energy, pragmatic and results-driven senior manager with a successful background in financially restructuring of service providing Executive Director, Strategic Research company, during recession period. Experienced in working both private & Innovation Partnership – Smart Cities and public sector, small and large organisation. Possesses excellent & Communities interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills and the ability to develop and maintain mutually beneficial internal and external relationships. With his entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm for new business development is successful in managing, motivating and training his co-workers into a successful and productive team. He is excellent in highly pressurised and challenging positions including international multi language and multi-cultural working environments. Mr. Andrej Kotar Andrej Kotar is a business director for public sector at Comtrade CDS, the largest Slovenian software development company. Andrej is one of the Chair of program board, Strategic driving forces behind a vivid slovenian smart society ecosystem. Research & Innovation Partnership – Smart Cities & Communities He is a chair of program council at Smart Cities and Communities Strategic Partnership, a member of management board at IT Association of Slovenia at Chamber of Commerce and industry of Slovenia (ZIT GZS), where he is also a head of eGovenment Section.

Andrej initiated establishment and is a co-chair of a Smart Society working group within Slovenian Digital Coalition.

Ms. Tjaša Ficko Tjaša Ficko is a city councillor on the Zoran Janković List and a Deputy Mayor of Ljubljana since 2010. Her fields of work are culture, tourism, Deputy Mayor, city of Ljubljana international relations, corporate communication, economics and development projects. She is a member of the Commission for Mandate Questions, Elections and Appointments and the Commission for International Relations. Among her responsibilities is strengthening international recognisability and the reputation of the city brand. She promotes the city vision, activities and achievements at many events at home and abroad and shares good practices in numerous renowned international conferences.

In 2013 she was in charge of the City Organising Committee of the European Basketball Championship, and then of the candidacy and the implementation of the European Green Capital 2016 project, which successfully put Ljubljana on the European map as a city committed to following the green vision while actively carrying out projects for improving the quality of life. Born in Murska Sobota, she attended school there until graduation, afterwards she successfully concluded her bachelor’s studies in communication science at the Faculty of Social Sciences and the master’s programme in management at the Faculty of Economics in Ljubljana. She fulfilled part of her study obligations at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. Her career began in the Public Relations Office of the Mercator Business System, and when Zoran Janković won the local elections in 2006 she was entrusted with the leadership of the Section for Public Relations in the Mayor’s Cabinet and the coordination of communication officers within the big city family.

She is a Cervantes Institute graduate, certified director in the Slovenian Directors’ Association and a member of the Development Council of the Faculty for Social Sciences, member of the Policy Committee of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and Ljubljana’s representative in the Executive Committee of the largest network of European cities Eurocities. At the global conference Women Economic Forum in New Delhi she received the prestigious award Woman of the Decade as the head of the project Ljubljana, European Green Capital 2016.

In addition to family and friends she devotes her free time to sports, music and books. H.E. Hans Sandee Hans Sandee is currently the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dubai and the Commissioner General of the Netherlands at Commissioner General of Expo 2020. He studied both history (specialization international relations) the Netherlands at Expo 2020 and and law (specialization international and European law) at the State Consul General of the Kingdom of University in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Hans Sandee joined the Dutch The Netherlands to Dubai. diplomatic service in 1990. In the lower ranks he worked both at the main office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague (Security Policy Department, European Department) and abroad (Lisbon, Brussels, Warsaw). In 2003 he was appointed head of the Security and Defence Policy Division. Subsequently he was deputy head of mission at the Dutch Embassy in Bucharest, . In 2010 Hans Sandee became head of the Migration and Asylum Division in The Hague and was appointed to Netherlands ambassador to Libya in 2014.

Arnoud Molenaar After graduating in Physical Geography, Arnoud started his career with ambitious trainee posts and jobs abroad. As deputy head of the Chief Resilience Officer, City of Rotterdam Water Management Department, he was responsible for Rotterdam the Waterplan2Rotterdam. In 2008, he was appointed Manager of the Rotterdam Climate Proof program. Arnoud is first editor of the book “Resilient Cities and Climate Adaptation Strategies” (2014). He was responsible for Rotterdam’s first Resilience Strategy (2016) and joined the Global Centre on Adaptation as lead Cities (2018). In 2019 he hosted the Global Urban Resilience Summit in Rotterdam. Recently he joined the Global Steering Committee at the Resilient Cities Network.

Tjeerd Haccou Tjeerd Haccou (1978) is one of the co-founders of Space&Matter. He carried out his architectural training both at TU-Delft, and SCI-Arc, Los Angeles. Co-founder, Space and Matter Together with his two business partners Sascha Glasl and Marthijn Pool he founded Space&Matter early 2009.

Space&Matter is a multidisciplinary spatial design practise, which merges architecture, urban planning, online technology and system thinking to constantly push the envelope of the spatial discipline. The office is a forerunner in the field of circular economy and focusses on designing resilient and socially inclusive living environments. With their internationally awarded projects Space&Matter showcases alternative ways urban development that can be made to fit any context.

Tjeerd favours a participatory approach to architecture, urban design and area development to foster the principles of the circular economy. He has an experimental ethos, applying online and offline tools to bring together and empower communities to take leadership in designing their own habitats. In this context, he pursues new ownership models, business models and ventures which prioritise circular thinking and inclusivity in the built environment. David Spierings David Spierings is Associate Architect and lead architect of the Expo 2020 pavilion for The Netherlands. V8 Architects, known for its inventive Lead Architect, Dutch Pavilion Expo solutions for complex, mostly inner-city projects undertakes commercial 2020 Dubai, V8 Architects projects, housing and public buildings, in an international context. With sustainability as their main driver the practice offers solutions at different levels of scale. From retrofitting and repurposing existing buildings to give them a second life, the creation of a self-sustaining circular pavilion to the use of bio-based building materials. Projects of V8 include amongst others the Dutch pavilion for EXPO2020 Dubai, the CoolTower (highest residential tower -150 meters in the city center of Rotterdam), KPN headquarters (offices - Rotterdam), Sijthoff (shopping mall – The Hague), Villa K6 (private villa – Amsterdam) and Mediahaven (office and television studio’s – Amsterdam)

Manosh De The Middle East Technical Lead for Cities & Places at Jacobs, Manosh De works in pivotal creative design roles on some of the region and ’s Middle East Technical Lead – Cities & most ambitious projects. His expertise includes long range planning, the Places, Jacobs conceptualisation of master plans, sustainable urban design and the use of technology to improve work flow.

Mr Oliver Conde Oliver is the Regional Manager for Latin America and Country Manager for Perú within the Mace Consultancy division, responsible for existing and new Regional Manager - Latin America and work in the region. He was Deputy Delivery Lead for infrastructure on the Country Manager - Peru, Mace Lima 2019 Panamerican and Parapan American Games; his experience prior to this includes in the nuclear sector, London 2012 and the London Legacy Development Corporation. Dr. Passakon Prathombutr Dr. Passakon Prathombutr graduated the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Software architecture and Computer networking from the University of Senior Executive Vice President, and Missouri, Kansas City. He was in the team that connected the first Internet CTO Digital Economy Promotion Agen- leased line to the country in 1991 when he was a student in Chulalongkorn cy (DEPA) university. After graduated he served as a researcher at National Electronics and Computer Technology Center or NECTEC. When he became the director of Next Generation Internet Laboratory in NECTEC, he founded the Thai IPv6 association and while he served as the director of Intelligent Transport System program, he founded the Thai ITS association. In 2010, he moved to National Science and Technology Development Agency or NSTDA to serve as the director of the Service & Data Innovation program. Besides, he was the co-founder of Thai Intelligent Traffic Information Center Foundation (iTIC) and the CCTV Consortium.

At present, he is the Senior Executive Vice President of Digital Economy Promotion Agency or DEPA, to drive mega projects including the smart city project and the IoT institute. For international position, he is the editor- in-chief of the International Journal of Intelligent Transportation System Research, Springer.

Hind Al Owais Vice President of the International Participants Department at Expo 2020 Dubai, Hind Alowais oversees the participation of international and Vice President, Participant intergovernmental organisations, as well as a wide range of stakeholders Management, Expo 2020 Dubai such as non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, philanthropic foundations and global initiatives. With a leading role in Expo 2020 Dubai’s Women’s Pavilion, Hind aims to create a space to address global challenges by building a platform for multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance the global development agenda through innovative and impact-driven initiatives. Hind worked for the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for almost 15 years, where her work focused on multilateral diplomacy and supporting the UAE’s agenda. She served as a Special Assistant to the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where she advised on key policy issues. She also played a central role in bringing the International Renewable Energy Agency to Abu Dhabi. Hind was the first Emirati national to hold a senior position in the United Nations system advising the leadership of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN Women) on key strategic issues. As Senior Advisor for Intergovernmental Support and Strategic Partnerships at UN Women, she oversaw the launch of the UN Women Liaison Office in Abu Dhabi and was responsible for looking into the role of religion in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment at UN Women headquarters. Prior to that, Hind was the Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the UN in New York, where she was actively involved in a number of key issues, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Hind holds a Master’s in Arts and Public Policy from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and a Master’s in International Affairs from the Lebanese American University. H.E. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh Before becoming the ASG at LAS, Dr. Abu Ghazaleh was appointed as a Jordanian Representative to the Arab Women Organization. For more than Assistant Secretary General, Head of three decades, Dr. Haifa has been heavily involved & active at the global, Social Affairs Sector for LAS regional & national level in the areas of policy and legislative reform, gender mainstreaming, strategic planning, human rights, peace and security, media & communication.

In 2005, Dr. Abu Ghazaleh was nominated for the Noble Peace Prize following her nomination selection for the ‘1000 Women for Noble Peace Prize 2005’.

H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia She was the special adviser to the Minister of agriculture, assigned with Sacko the responsibility of advising on issues related to international cooperation both bilateral and multilateral. She was also elected the Secretary General Commissioner for Rural Economy and of Interafrican coffee organization, with a special mandate to represent the Agriculture of the African Union Com- economic interest of the 25 African Coffee producers, management of the mission Secretariat and present the recommendation.

Dr. Astghik Mirzakhanyan Economist with extensive coordination and professional experience at the government level and with inter-governmental and international UNDP Expert on Social organizations in the areas of Social Policies and Statistics, Poverty Vulnerability and Gender Issues Assessment and Monitoring, Socioeconomic Studies and Analysis, Gender Mainstreaming in Public Policies and Gender Equality. Fiza Farhan Fiza Farhan is a Pakistan based women entrepreneur and development expert, featured in the US Magazine Forbes “30 Under 30 List of Social Social Entrepreneur and Development Entrepreneurs” for 2015 and again in Forbes Asia List of “30 Under 30 Expert Analyst Member of the Social Entrepreneurs in 2016”. She represents Pakistan on the United UNSG’s Panel on Women’s Economic Nation’s Secretary General’s first ever High Level Panel on Women Empowerment Economic Empowerment along with global leadership in addition to being the Chairperson of Chief Minister Punjab’s Task Force on Women Empowerment and member of the National Steering Committee on Climate Change for Pakistan. Previously, Fiza co-founded and was the CEO of Buksh Foundation and Director of Buksh Energy Private Limited, both companies pioneering unique and demand based multi-stakeholder solutions in the domains of gender equality, inclusive growth, digital finance, renewable energy and impact investment.

In July 2016, Fiza evolved her professional journey as an Independent Adviser / Consultant on a national and international scale in sectors that align with her interest and expertise, broadening her horizon of impact towards multiple sustainable development goals (SDG’s) and creating value added partnerships between the public, private and development sectors. Apart from her important roles of advocacy, Fiza continues to wear multiple hats to instigate action through her diverse consultancy engagements with government bodies, private sector companies, the UN agencies and other development institutions in Pakistan and internationally. Fiza is a graduate of Lahore University of Management Sciences and has an MBA from Warwick Business School, UK.

H.E. Dawood Abdul Rahman H.E. Dawood Abdul Rahman Abdullah Al Hajri serves as Director General Abdullah Al Hajri of Dubai Municipality since March 2018; with the key tasks of supervising the urban planning in the , approving policies related to Director General, Dubai Municipality the building and development system and ensuring their implementation, as well as the sustainable management of public projects within municipal operations and urban heritage projects. His Excellency is also in charge of enhancing infrastructure services in the Emirate of Dubai to ensure the development of green areas and the management of an integrated sewage and waste system in Dubai, based on the best global practices to help the emirate of Dubai achieve global leadership and competitiveness. He also oversees the management of natural reserves, public gardens and recreational facilities affiliated to the department. His duties also include organizing and supervising all activities pertaining to environmental protection, public health and food safety and related legislations within the emirate of Dubai. Al Hajiri has also been a member of many councils and committees locally and internationally. He is Chairman of the Emirates International Accreditation Center’s Board of Directors; Chairman of the Dubai’s Committee for Building Permit Procedures Development and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Food Bank. His Excellency is also member of several councils and committees, such as the Executive Council of the Government of Dubai; the Strategic Affairs Council of the Dubai Executive Council; the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI); the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; the Dubai Free Zone Council; the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee; the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Board of Directors and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment Board of Directors. A graduate of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Leadership Development Program, Al Hajiri holds a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and construction technology from the Eastern University, USA; and was awarded the Creative Leader Award of the Dubai Government Excellence Program in 2015. Hon. Mxolisi Kaunda Mayor Kaunda is a prolific socio-political activist and cadre of the Mayor of Durban African National Congress (ANC). He gained political consciousness early and became active from the tender age of 15 during the hard days of violence; resulting him to serve in various leadership roles in both the ANC Youth League and Provincial structures. Kaunda, obtained his Diploma in Governance and Leadership from the University of South Africa and an Advanced Diploma in Advanced Governance and Public Leadership from the University of Witwatersrand. Between the years 2000 and 2009 he served as a ward councillor and progressed into a Proportional Representation Councillor in eThekwini Municipality; serving in various council portfolios such as the Economic Development and Planning Sub- Committee (ECOD). The ECOD portfolio includes Environmental and Town Planning Scheme Regulations and enforcement; Building Regulations, Agriculture and Commercial Farming; Local economic development as well as Energy Program. Parallel to this Kaunda in the ANC Youth League as a Provincial Secretary and Chairperson till the year 2010. In 2012 he was elected to the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (ANC PEC), he was assigned the responsibility of serving in the Economic Transformation as well as Peace and Stability sub-committees.In 2009-14 he served as a member of the Provincial Legislature and was Chairperson of the Transport Portfolio Committee.

In 2014, he became a Chairperson of the Transport Committee; and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, as well as Community Safety and Liaison committees. In 2016-19, he was appointed as the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, until he was redeployed to eThekwini Metro as the Mayor in September 2019. In the Provincial Executive Council (Cabinet), Kaunda chaired the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) and the Public Protests sub- Committee.In October 2019 He was elected to serve as a C40 Vice Chair for the African Region.

Dr Diana Alarcón González Dr Alarcon holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Riverside and is an academic at various universities in Mexico and the Chief Advisor and Director International United States, with extensive experience in international organizations, Affairs, Mexico City mainly within the United Nations (UN). She most recently served as the Head of the Unit for Policy Analysis and Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). From this position, she led the writing team of the “World Economic and Social Survey”, the world›s longest-running publication on development issues. For the last 10 years she has worked at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), as well as at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Divya Prakash Vyas Divya Prakash Vyas is an architect & urban designer and serves as the Deputy Regional Director for South and West Asia for C40. Deputy Regional Director, South & West Asia, C40 Cities Climate Leadership He is responsible for facilitating cities in the region to participate in the Group exchange of best practices, and work closely with the city decision makers to take climate positive action to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Davide Ponzini, PhD Davide Ponzini is an Associate Professor of Urban Planning at Politecnico di Milano. He has been a visiting scholar at Yale, Johns Hopkins, Columbia Associate Professor University, and Visiting Professor at TU Munich. Author of the book: Dept of Architecture and Urban Studies, Transnational Architecture and Urbanism: Rethinking How Cities Plan, Politecnico di Milano Transform and Learn.

Eng Sanaa Al Aleeli Sanaa Al Aleeli an architect and Planner , joined Dubai Municipality in 2001 as an urban planner in Planning Department. In 2007 she became head of Director of Urban Planning & Studies urban design unit , and in 2018 she was appointed section Manager for Department, Dubai Municipality Urban Design section. Currently, Sanaa is the Director of Department of Urban Planning And Studies. She is a driven Urban Planning Professional with 19 years experience with strong attention to details and governance.

During her career, she worked in many strategic projects such as Dubai Urban Framework, Dubai Urban Plan 2020 and National housing planning policies.

Sanaa is currently project manager for Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 that is considered one of the most important projects that will shape the future development of Dubai for the next 20 years. Sanaa holds a certificate from Mohamed bin Rashid School of Government in the Arab Leadership and Government Excellence; she is a board member in Emirates Planning associations EPA and a member for future cities council. Mahra Al Shamsi Mahra AlShamsi is an architect and Planner born and raised in Dubai, . Mahra joined Dubai Municipality in (2017) as legislation Urban Design Section Manager, engineer and has recently been appointed Head of Urban Design section Dubai Municipality at the department of Urban Planning and Studies. Her passion for architecture and planning allowed her to explore the realms of creativity through applying the knowledge she learned and further improve it. She is a member of the executive team of Dubai’s Strategic project that is Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 and a member of Dubai Council For Future Cities.

She believes that the knowledge of urban planning is a creative language that varies from one culture to another, but it always stresses flexibility and expressiveness. She is a member of the executive team for UNESCO Creative City Network representing the City of Dubai. Mahra is inspired by architecture and cities urban fabric that portrays social consistency, sustainability, and culture prosperity.

Hanan Al Hashmi An Urban Planning professional at Dubai Municipality coupling relevant practical experience with a Masters in Urban and Environmental Planning Urban Planner, Dubai Municipality from Arizona State University. She is member in Emirates Planning associations EPA.

Current major projects include the Dubai 2040 Urban Plan, Dubai ranking in SDG No.11 with the MOID, and criteria development to determine rural communities in Dubai.