Silvio Schembri is a Maltese politician and academic currently serving for the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects.

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava took office as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023. 

With more than 30 years in telecommunications, including over 20 years in ITU’s Development Sector, Dr Zavazava has promoted and implemented impactful information and communication technology projects around the world. 

Prior to his election as BDT Director, he served as ITU’s Chief of Partnerships for Digital Development, overseeing development-related projects, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization between 2019 and 2022, while launching new initiatives that have boosted the engagement of industry, private-sector and academia members in ITU’s work. 

Ms. Enkelejda Muçaj is the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy in the Republic of Albania since November 2021.

Ms. Muçaj held the position of General State Advocate from March 2020 to June 2021. For a period of 20 years (December 2000 – February 2020), she practiced as a lawyer at the international law office Tonnuci & Partners, during which she provided legal expertise in Telecommunication, Intellectual Property (Copyright and Industrial Property), Company Law, Contract Law, Tax Law, Mining Law, Administrative Law, related to the harmonization of national legislation with International Intellectual Property law and is specialized in the preparation and interpretation of trade contracts international, concession contracts as well as project financing contracts.

Ms. Muçaj was graduated in law from the Tirana University (1998) and has a master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law from University of Turin (Italy) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (2007); Diploma in International Practice on Capital Markets and Credit, and Diploma in International Mergers and Acquisition operations issued by the International Bar Association and College of Law of England and Wales.

Ms. Muçaj was a lecturer in the course of Intellectual Property at the University of New York Tirana (2013-2016) and is fluent in English and Italian.

H.E. Mohamed bin Thamer AlKaabi was appointed as Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications in June 2022. He is responsible for regulating, developing and promoting the Transportation and Telecommunications sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the postal services.

Prior to his appointment as Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Mohamed served as the Undersecretary of Civil Aviation Affairs from 2016 until 2022 and held several senior executive positions at Bahrain Airport Company.

Mohamed has over 40 years experience in the aviation industry and holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Glamorgan, UK.

He is currently a board member of the following organisations:

• Chairman of National Space Science Agency (NSSA)


• Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat)


• Economic Development Board

Marsha Caddle is a Barbadian economist and public policy strategist who now serves as Barbados’ Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology.

A former Minister for Economic Affairs and Investment in Barbados from 2018-2022, she helped lead Barbados’ 2018 economic recovery programme, which saw the country’s depleted foreign reserves increase eightfold by the end of the term, and its debt and arrears fall by a third following an international and domestic debt restructuring. She was ministerial negotiator on climate finance for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in Glasgow, 2021, introducing in the outcome document for the first time the use of specialized instruments like redistributed Special Drawing Rights for scaled up finance in climate vulnerable nations. She also led the first reform of physical planning and land use policy in over 50 years.

She has led the Governance practice at the Caribbean Development Bank, the Poverty Reduction Programme at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Eastern Caribbean, and the Economic Security and Rights Programme of the then United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Caribbean.

In her current role, she is leading the establishment of a data and technology industry in Barbados, driven by the distribution of AI computational power to startups and research technologists, to help them build solutions to local and global problems. She is also responsible for developing and guiding execution of Barbados’s Sustainable Industrial Policy, ensuring a just, low-carbon transition at the center of the country’s economic growth and diversification.

She is a pioneer economist in gender equitable macroeconomic policy frameworks, and is a member of the International Association for Feminist Economics (IAFFE) and the International Working Group on Gender, Macroeconomics and International Economics (GEM-IWG).
Marsha Caddle is a two-term elected Member of Parliament in the Barbados House of Assembly.

Dr. IMAGAWA Takuo joined the Japanese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in 1990, and has been engaged in various information and communications technology policies at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Prior to his current position, he served as Director-General of the Telecommunications Bureau. His career also includes the positions of Director-General of the Secretariat and Director-General of the Postal Services Policy Planning Department in the Information and Communications Bureau.

He received his B.A.S. and M.A. in systems studies from the University of Tokyo and his M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University. His experience in academia highly contributes to his theoretical background in policy-making. He taught economics at Osaka University as an associate professor from 2000 to 2003, and he served as a visiting scholar at several universities, such as the University of Tokyo and Waseda University. His research interests include information economics, industrial organization, and urban economics.

He is the author of numerous books and articles in the field of information and economics. His publications include Economic Analysis of Telecommunications, Technology, and Cities in Japan (2002), Empirical Analyses of Recession under Deflation (co-author, 2002), and The Governance of the Advanced Information Society (co-author, 2003).

H.E. Laurence MENGUE-ME-NZOGHE, spouse of NDONG and daughter of Michel NZOGHE, was born on October 29, 1971 in Douala.

Ms Ndong has a Doctorate in Educational Sciences, with a specialization in Experimental Sciences. She also holds of a master’s degree in public administration, with a specialization in Management of the State and Public Organizations. She is a former Deputy Director General for the Advancement of Women, in charge of the institutionalization of the gender and development. She is a senior civil servant, community leader and Gabonese politician. Laurence Ndong is also a Pastor. Co-opted by the Universal Bible Society, she was the editor and member of the editorial board of the “African Women’s Meditation Bible”.

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Disclaimer: The content of this bio has been translated from the original version in French below:

Laurence MENGUE-ME-NZOGHE, épouse NDONG, fille de Michel NZOGHE, est née le 29 octobre 1971 à Douala.

Docteur en Sciences de l’Éducation, option Didactique des Sciences expérimentales, titulaire d’un Master en administration publique, option management public de l’Etat et des organisations publiques, ancienne Directrice Générale adjointe de la promotion de la femme, chargée de l’institutionnalisation de l’approche genre et développement. Elle est haut fonctionnaire, leader associatif et femme politique gabonaise. Laurence Ndong est également Pasteur. Cooptée par la Société Biblique Universelle, elle a été rédactrice et membre du comité d’édition de la “Bible de méditation par les Femmes Africaines”.

Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, a senior Indian Administrative Service Officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, is a B. Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT, Kanpur, MBA from Cranfield University, UK and Ph.D from Ohio State University, USA in Management Information Systems.

He started his career as an IAS Officer in 1992. He has held various administrative positions in the fields of land and revenue management, mines and minerals, IT/Communications, e-governance. During his stint in Central deputation, he worked in Department of Telecom, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. While working as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, he was instrumental in rolling out the Cash Transfer program in LPG and ‘Give It Up’ campaign. He has also served as Senior Advisor to the Executive Director in World Bank in Washington DC.

He held important positions of CEO of Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance and Export Promotion Bureau, Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology and Digital Service Department and MD & CEO, Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Honourable Nthati Moorosi is the Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation.

She was appointed to this position in November 04, 2022, following her election into the National Assembly in the 2022 National Assembly Election, representing the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) at Thetsane Constituency No. 34.

Honorable Moorosi is the Secretary General of the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP).

Her education background is a mix of Humanities, Media Studies and Gender Studies. For her first degree, she studied English Language and Literature at the National University of Lesotho. Then she enrolled with the University of Natal in Durban (Now transformed into University of KwaZulu-Natal) in 2000 for Honors and Master’s degree in Cultural and Media Studies. Her passion for advocacy in gender equality was further advanced by her undertaking of a Postgraduate Diploma in Gender Studies at the University of Free State in 2010.

Before March 2022, she has been an Independent Consultant who operated within and outside the company she founded in October 2013 – BANLIN Communications and Development Consultancy. She specialized in Communications, Public Relations, Stakeholder Engagement as well as Events Management. She is an expert in developing and implementing communications strategies for different organizations including the UNDP for the Project named: Reducing Vulnerability from Climate Change in the Foothills, Lowlands and Senqu River Basin; Bureau of Statistics (UNDP), Maseru City Council (World Bank), Africa Adaption Program (UNDP) for the project named:

She worked as a Director of Corporate Affairs at Maluti Mountain Brewary (MMB) for three years. Since March 2017, she left her position as the Director of Corporate at the Maluti Mountain Brewery to manage her businesses, including her consultancy firm named, Banlin Communications and development Consultancy. Under Banlin Communications and Development Consultancy, she continues to develop communication strategies and stakeholders’ engagement plans for the different companies as well as edit documents, translate then into Sesotho and write speeches and reports where relevant.

Before joining MMB in October 2013, she worked as Head of Public Outreach for the Millennium Change Account (MCS) Lesotho from November 2009 to end of compact in January 2013.

Her career started in 1998 as a High School Teacher of English Language and Literature in English subjects at Bonhomme High School in Mohale’s Hoek.

In 2000, she took a short break to further her studies. She later joined World Vision International as the Communications Coordinator in 2003, for a year and half, before she joined United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as Communications Specialist. In 2007, she was appointed the Director of Communications and Marketing for the National University of Lesotho before moving on to MCA-Lesotho in 2009.

Honourable Emma Inamutila Theofelus is a young, 28-year-old Namibian woman who serves as a Member of Parliament and the Minister of Information and Communication Technology in the Republic of Namibia.

Before her appointment, Honourable Emma was always policy adjacent and was a Youth Activist around issues of gender, children’s rights, and sustainable development and against youth unemployment. She served as the Deputy Speaker of the Youth Parliament of the Republic of Namibia, Board Member of the National Council of Higher Education and the Junior Mayor of the City of Windhoek amongst other roles.

Born and bred in Windhoek, Namibia, Honourable Emma holds an LLB Honours Degree from the University of Namibia where she served as Secretary General of the Student Union in her final year of study; a diploma in Business Management from Amity University and a diploma in Afrikan Feminism and Gender Studies from the University of South Africa. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in ICT Policy and Regulation at the University of Witwatersrand.

Honourable Emma is currently awarded the Laureate in the Individual Category of the United Nations Population Award, 2022 and serves as a board member of the Leadership Council of Africa REACH. She has been recognised as the BBC 100 Most Influential Women in the World 2021, named as Avance Media 100 Most Influential Young Africans 2020 & 2021, named as the New African 100 Most influential Africans of 2020, Reputation Poll 100 Most Reputable Africans 2020 and named as the Emerging African Young Leader by the African Leadership Magazine 2022.

Honourable Emma is currently a council member of Nala Feminist Collective where she is championing digital justice on the African continent. She was further nominated for the One Young World Politician of the Year Award 2020 & in 2021. In her current role, Honourable Emma plans to better communicate the activities and programs of the Government of the Republic of Namibia, create a more digitally literate nation, increase access to the internet among Namibians and assist in preparing the Namibian nation for the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani is the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

An accomplished entrepreneur and business leader, Dr. Tijani is a pioneer in the African startup ecosystem and has been instrumental in driving innovation and fostering the growth of tech startups across the continent.

He is the co-founder and former CEO of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), the leading pan-African technology and innovation center with presence in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Namibia. Founded in 2010, CcHUB has played a pivotal role in nurturing startups through mentorship programs, funding initiatives, and access to essential resources.

Under his leadership, CcHUB became a vital catalyst for the African tech ecosystem, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and the development of groundbreaking solutions to local and global challenges. Dr. Tijani’s visionary leadership, passion for technology, and commitment to fostering a thriving startup ecosystem have made him a respected figure in the African tech communities. His dedication to creating opportunities and driving innovation continues to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs in Nigeria and beyond.

Prior to CcHUB, he led the networking and coordination of leading innovation agencies across Europe as European Innovation Manager at PERA, with the aim of standardizing the varying methodologies for commercializing research results. He had also previously worked at the International Trade Centre, in Geneva Switzerland overseeing the design and implementation of technical support programmes geared towards enlightening and assisting exporters in Sub-Saharan Africa in maximising the use of information and communication technologies for export marketing.

Dr. Tijani is an exemplary scholar who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Jos, a Masters degree in Information Systems and Management from Warwick University and a Doctorate degree in Innovation and Economic Development from the University of Leicester. He is also an adjunct professor at the Wits School of Governance, South Africa.

His PhD research focussed on contributing to a better understanding of how the network perspective to innovation capacity serves as a contextually relevant
framework for explaining the adoption and adaptation of innovation in developing countries and offers an alternative path to how African countries can effectively organise to strengthen their innovation ecosystems.

He was a member of the UK Advisory Committee on Digital Access Africa, a Committee member for NESG on Science and Technology and a member of the Expert Advisory Group to the European Commission on mainstreaming technology and innovation in the relationship between Europe and Africa.

Dr. Tijani is a Desmond Tutu Fellow and fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law at the prestigious Stanford University and is happily married with three children.

Jocelle Batapa-Sigue is a distinguished Filipino woman leader known for her pioneering work in information and communications technology (ICT), legal and gender advocacy, and public service. With a career spanning over two decades, she has made significant contributions to the development of the ICT sector in the Philippines, particularly in fostering technology-driven economic development in the countryside.

As an awardee of The Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service (TOWNS) for her work in ICT, Jocelle has held numerous leadership positions, including Past President and Co-Founder of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) and the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for ICT (BNEFIT) and has served three terms as a councilor of Bacolod City. Her recognition extends to being named one of the Asia Society Top Ten Philippines 21 Young Leaders in 2009 and being selected as an Eisenhower Fellow from the Philippines in 2012 and IT-BPM Contributor of the Year in 2014.

Jocelle’s work focuses on driving digital innovation and inclusion, particularly in the countryside, aiming to create a citizen-centric government through enhanced digital platforms and solutions. She is actively involved in policies and initiatives that foster digital inclusivity and skills development, ensuring that Filipinos are prepared for the evolving demands of the digital age. Her vision emphasizes collaboration across sectors to enhance the Philippines’ digital landscape, and to fostering a digital ecosystem that is inclusive, secure, and forward-looking.

As co-founder of several ICT organizations, she has played a crucial role in bridging the gap between government, the private sector, and academic institutions to drive jobs and investments throughout the country. As a lawyer and a public servant, Jocelle has held various positions where she has been instrumental in implementing reforms and initiatives aimed at improving governance, transparency, and public service.

Jocelle is also a sought-after speaker and consultant, sharing her expertise in ICT, governance, and legal matters with diverse audiences worldwide. Her work continues to inspire a new generation of leaders in the Philippines and beyond, making her a respected figure in her field.

For more detailed insights into her work and contributions, you can visit her website at jocellebatapasigue.com, where you can find information on her projects, achievements, and ongoing initiatives to drive digital progress in the Philippines.

Dr Emilija Stojmenova Duh completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics of the University of Maribor.

In the past, she managed the 4PDIH Digital Innovation Hub – a partnership between the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia that raises awareness of the importance of digitalization, provides support in the development of digital knowledge and skills, and helps decision makers design appropriate digitalization policies.

Her work in research and development focused on the use of new digital technologies for innovation in and the development of cities, villages and communities, digital innovation hubs, rural development and digital transformation.

Dr Stojmenova Duh was the first President of IEEE’s “Women in Engineering Slovenia”. She was also the first Slovenian woman representative at the Global Young Academy and a member of the European Research Area Working Group within ALLEA – All European Academies. She is strongly committed to increasing the number of young people studying engineering – especially women.

She is author and co-author of a number of scientific and professional publications concerning digital transformation.

Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele was appointed as the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies of the Republic of South Africa with effect from 6 March 2023. He previously served as Minister in the Presidency responsible for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), the National Planning Commission (NPC), Statistics South Africa (StatsSA), the Government Communication Information System (GCIS) and the State Security Agency (SSA).

Deputy Minister Gungubele has extensive experience in local, provincial, and national government and believes in strategic planning and effective monitoring of systems to ensure that government is held accountable to deliver services to the people. He is a political activist who spent much of his youth fighting for a liberated and just South Africa which is united in diversity.

Deputy Minister Gungubele became involved in the trade union movement in the ‘70s and it is this experience that sharpened his political and negotiation skills. In 1982, he became a member of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and would later be elected as a Chairperson of his Local Branch of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in 1989. In 1992, he was elected as the Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) Vosloorus Branch, and later became the founding Chairperson of the ANC East Rand Region. In the same year, he was elected to the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the ANC in Gauteng.

In 1994, Deputy Minister Gungubele was deployed as a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and was subsequently appointed as the MEC of Health in the Gauteng Provincial Government in 1997. He held this position until 1999. He was then deployed to lead Gauteng’s Sports, Recreation and Arts and Culture agenda as its MEC where he worked tirelessly to unite all sporting codes and contributed to the development of grassroots sports in Gauteng. He held the position until 2004 in the year South Africa was awarded the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup showpiece.

After the 2004 Provincial and National Elections, Gungubele became the Chairperson of the Economic Affairs Portfolio Committee in the Gauteng Legislature where he was responsible for political oversight and ensuring that the Department of Economic Affairs fulfilled its mandate to the people.

In 2009, he was deployed to the National Assembly as an ANC Member of Parliament, where he served as the Whip of the Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee. He was later redeployed to the City of Ekurhuleni as the City’s Executive Mayor in 2011. It is during this time where he drove the City’s Governance and Administrative record to clean audits and numerous awards on good governance.

In 2016, he was deployed back to Parliament and served on the Portfolio Committees on Communications and Public Enterprises respectively. Mr Gungubele was part of the collective which led SABC Inquiry and the Eskom Inquiry – both processes which paved the way for the turnaround of these two State Owned Enterprises.

Deputy Minister Gungubele was then appointed as the Deputy Minister of Finance from February 2018 until the general elections in May 2019. After the commencement of the 6^th Parliament in June 2019, he was deployed as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Social Development and the Convener of the Social Transformation Cluster.

Deputy Minister Gungubele holds a B Com (Law) Degree and a National Diploma in Nursing with various certificate courses. He also serves as a member of the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee of the African National Congress as elected in December 2022.

Marta Arsovska Tomovska brings over two decades of leadership in political, management, and advisory capacities, focusing on digital innovation and skills development for the future.

Currently, she is the Advisor to the President of the National Assembly of Serbia, previously serving as North Macedonia’s Minister for Information Society and Public Administration. Tomovska’s career includes executive roles in IT and telecom, alongside advising various governments.

She is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Technology Policy and the G20 Digital Agenda Working Group. Her educational background includes an MSc in Marketing, MSc and BSc in Electrical Engineering, and a Graduate Certificate from the Kellogg School of Management. Tomovska is also ITU’s certified expert in building national digital innovation ecosystems and Joint SDG Fund expert evaluator for Digital Transformation. Throughout her career, she has earned multiple accolades from UN organizations for her significant contributions to the ICT sector.

Ms. Dima Al-Khatib took up her duties as Director of UNOSSC on 1 March 2023. She is a Sustainable Development Professional bringing more than 25 years of leadership and management experience in several duty stations to her role.

Prior to joining UNOSSC, Ms. Al-Khatib served as the UNDP Resident Representative in the Republic of Moldova. Prior to that, she held several positions including that of Programme and Policy Coordinator at the UNDP Regional Hub in Amman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kuwait, and UNDP Deputy Country Director in Libya.

Ms. Al-Khatib holds a Diplome d’Etudes Approfondies (DEA) in Environmental Health from the Lebanese University and France University of Bordeaux II, and a Bachelor of Science and a Teaching Diploma in Environmental Health from the American University of Beirut.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Bernardo Mariano Jr. of Mozambique as Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO), Assistant Secretary-General, Office of Information and Communications Technology, on 1 June 2021. His tenure began 1 August 2021.

Mr. Mariano brings to the position 28 years of experience within the United Nations system and international organizations, most recently serving as the Chief Information Officer and Director for Digital Health and Innovation at the World Health Organization (WHO), where he led the organization’s digital transformation journey, leveraging digital technologies and innovations to accelerate the achievement of WHO strategic goals.

He started his career in 1993 with International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Mozambique and continued with IOM in Haiti, Mali, Angola, Kenya, Kosovo and South Africa in addition to Geneva, Switzerland before joining WHO in 2018.

Mr. Mariano served as IOM Senior Regional Adviser for Sub-Saharan Africa (2017-2018), Regional Director for Southern Africa (2009-2015) and served as IOM Chief Information Officer (2015-2017, 2002-2011). During this tenure, he championed several business transformation initiatives, driving innovations in operation and management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning systems, information technology, project management and network infrastructure.

He holds a Master of Science in Global Management from Salford University (United Kingdom), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique. Mr. Mariano is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish, with a very good knowledge of French.

Ciyong Zou is a Deputy to the Director General and the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development

The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development oversees the Organization’s normative contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, in addition to supporting and advancing the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development in the environment, energy, and SME areas. Advancing competitiveness and job creation are also key impact dimensions for the Directorate, in addition to the advancement of digitalization and artificial intelligence.  Mr Zou is also the Director General’s Special Representative for the G77 and China.

At UNIDO since 2013, Zou is the architect of UNIDO’s Programme for Country Partnership, and has guided the Organization’s field and strategic engagements.

Before joining UNIDO, he performed multiple roles, including as Deputy Director General of International Department at the Chinese Ministry of Finance, Alternate to the Chinese Executive Director at the World Bank, and Global Environmental Facility Operational Focal Point for China.

Zou holds a Ph.D. in Economics from China’s Ministry of Finance Graduate School, Research Institute for Fiscal Science.

Philip Marnick is the General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). He was appointed early January 2022 by the Members of the Board, to assume the position, paving the way for a more effective regulatory framework by continuing the evolution of the telecom sector liberalization.

Mr. Marnick leads the TRA, including the development of consumer protection initiatives and resolving disputes. The TRA develops regulatory rules that promote competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities, as well as developing a more comprehensive and competitive framework that aligns with international best practices. Ensuring that Bahrain remains a center of innovation and that its telecommunications sector serves everyone while supporting Bahrain’s strategic objectives.

Before assuming his role at the TRA, Philip managed and directed at Ofcom in the UK, where he was the Group Director of Spectrum responsible for all aspects of UK national and international spectrum management – from strategy to delivery including awards, clearance and enforcement.

Mr. Marnick has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 30 years. He has served as a senior executive in technology, operations, and strategy. Mr. Marnick has worked in both start-ups (from inception to sale) and major corporations, in firms such as UK Broadband, O2, Orange, BT, J-Phone in Japan (now Softbank Mobile), Extreme Mobile, and SpinVox (now Nuance).

From analogue to 5G, he has engaged across every mobile generation. Throughout his carrier he has been at the forefront of industry developments – in both fixed and mobile. He has collaborated on the first deployments of mobile networks utilizing new technologies and standards, this has also included innovative products such as the first camera phone and photo messaging service, as well as mobile internet and hosted voice services.

He is a lawyer graduated from the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés and has a Master’s Degree in Business Management with a Mention in Telecommunications from the Camilo José Cela University of Madrid – Spain, in addition to a second Master’s Degree in Mining Law from the Mining Chamber of Peru and other postgraduate courses in mining, telecommunications, and management.

From 2006 to 2009 he held positions in the Superintendence of Telecommunications – SITTEL, and from 2010 to 2013 in the legal area of the Telecommunications and Transport Regulation and Oversight Authority – ATT. He also served at the Mining Administrative Jurisdictional Authority – AJAM from 2013 to 2019, assuming executive positions such as General Counsel, National Coordinator, Legal Director a.i. and others.

In March 2021, in recognition of his work and academic career, he was appointed by the President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Luis Arce Catacora, as Executive Director of the Telecommunications and Transport Regulation and Oversight Authority (ATT), a position from which he has been carrying out committed and genuine work at the service of the Bolivian people. Finally, at the 25th Plenary Assembly of the Latin American Forum of Telecommunications Regulators – REGULATEL, held in Peru in 2022, he was elected president for the 2024 management of this important international organization.

Manager of the General Markets Directorate with eleven years of experience in the Superintendence of Telecommunications (SUTEL) from Costa Rica, where she has had- among other responsibilities-, the creation and establishment a system of sectorial indicators since the beginning of the opening of the Costa Rican market to competition. As part of her work at Sutel, she has directed important and diverse work teams in the field of access and interconnection, the application of the sectorial competition regime, economic studies and analysis and development of new regulation.  More recently, she has been involved in the definition of strategies and of the regulatory body as Coordinator of the institutional regulatory Agenda.

She has also experience on market monitoring and market studies for the Costa Rican export products and services.

She is also alternate Commissioner at Coprocom, which is the national authority of competition in Costa Rica.

Economist and Master in Business Administration, Senior Management and Telecommunications studies.

Petros Galides is the Deputy Commissioner of the Cyprus Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services and the Digital Security Authority. He also serves as the EMERG Chair for 2024.

He holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an MBA from the London Business School. Petros has extensive experience in the postal, electronic communications, and cybersecurity regulation sectors, as well as in both the service and manufacturing sectors. He has served on several company boards, performed consulting work in Cyprus and the UK, co-authored pioneering published papers, and held key positions in private, public, and international companies before being appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2013.

Daud Elvin Suleman, the Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is an avid technology enthusiast with over 18 years of experience in the fintech and banking sector.

Daud worked with the first microbank that opened in Malawi, targeting rural and underserved markets with technologically based banking services; paperless banking halls and biometric identification.

As a highly experienced IT practitioner in Malawi, Daud is heading a team of passionate professionals at MACRA which is aiming at deepening access to affordable, secure and quality communication services to all Malawians.

 

HE engineer Omar currently occupies the position of the Executive President of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Sultanate of Oman since August 2020. He has an extensive experience of more than 20 years in the ICT sector.

He was the General Manager of Electronic Census for Population, Housing, and Establishments 2020 where he led a team of specialists from different departments of the State Administrative Apparatus and some private sector institutions to build a comprehensive national database to achieve the objectives of the first register-based census in Oman. He also worked from 2013 till the beginning of 2017 as an executive manager at Ultra Electronics of Britain that is specialized in the security and defence industry. From 2007 up to 2013 engineer Omar was employed by Cisco Systems Co. of USA which is specialized in the field of technology and information. The last position he occupied in the company was the Regional Manager of Sales where he contributed by establishing a number of academic training for the company in the area.

On the academic level, HE Omar has a high diploma in Organizational Leadership from Oxford University in 2014, a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in 2001 as well as a number of specialized certificates in project management and in the ICT field.

Jabiri Bakari (Ph.D) is a Tanzanian pracademic: his experience spans both the academic and practical realms. He is a researcher, trainer, analyst and advisor of repute with over 26 years of experience in ICT Management. He is currently the Director General of Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and serves as a part time facilitator of Directorship programs focusing on ICT Governance at the Institute of Directors in Tanzania (IoDT) from 2017 to date.

Bakari holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Computer and Systems Sciences from Stockholm University in Sweden (2007), specialized in ICT Security Management, a Master’s of Science Degree (Engineering) in Data Communication from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Sheffield University, UK (1999), and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania (1996). His main research is in the field of Cyber security management on which he has published and presented a number of papers and articles at the ISSA, IFIP, and IEEE International Conferences.

He was the first CEO of the e-Government Agency. He played a key role in its establishment in April, 2012 and later spearheaded its transformation into the e-Government Authority (e-GA) following the enactment of the e-Government Act No.10 of 2019. Prior to joining e-GA, he had worked for 5 years (2007 – 2012) as a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Institute of Educational Technology (IET) at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) the post he took after 10 years (1996 – 2007) of holding various technical, management and leadership posts at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) including that of the Deputy Managing Director of the UCC LTD.

Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete is the Director General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). He has over 40 years working experience as an economist, strategist and diplomat, having worked as Director of Finance and Administration in the Government of Zimbabwe, Economic Counsellor at the Zimbabwean Embassy in China and Deputy Ambassador at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Malaysia. He has also worked as a part – time Lecturer for Research Methodology at Master’s level and a Thesis Moderator for the same course for the past 20 years. He is a holder of a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.

Dr. Li Tian is currently the Head of Standards Strategy of ZTE Corporation, Vice President of China Association for Standardization. He is actively involved in various global standardization organizations including ITU, 3GPP, IEEE, where he served as the rapporteur for several 5G related work items.

His research interests are in the field of ICT technology, and his team contributed significantly to advanced technologies like radio access, AI/ML, future networks, video coding, automobile electronics, network security, etc. Dr. Tian received his B.Sc degree in 2009 and Ph.D degree in 2015, both in Tongji University, China. From 2013 to 2014, he was a visiting researcher in University of Bologna, Italy. He is the first author of a book and contributed to multiple book chapters, with over 50 academic papers published and over 100 patents held globally. He has also delivered multiple keynotes in various academic and industrial events.

Julissa Cruz Abreu, current Executive Director of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), has more than two decades of experience in public service. At the institution, she has been Director of International Relations, Compliance Commissioner, and Head of the Regulation Department, playing a fundamental role in the creation of the regulatory framework and leading the implementation of number portability in 2009. Likewise, he has directed significant projects, such as the National Broadband Plan of the Dominican Republic, the Radio Spectrum Tender for the deployment of fifth-generation networks (5G), being the second country to have this technology in the region, and the coordination of the Connectivity and Access Axis of the 2030 Digital Agenda. His management has stood out for the promotion of regulatory measures to strengthen competition and innovation, including the identification of relevant markets and the implementation of the Regulatory Sandbox.

She has been nominated as a finalist for the CONECTA LATAM AWARDS 2023 in the “Most Connected Woman of the Year” category. This award honors women who, by driving innovation, have truly made a difference in their company, telecommunications industry, and community. Similarly, at the same event, INDOTEL was recognized as “Telecom Regulator of the Year”. This award distinguishes a new or innovative regulatory approach on an outstanding contribution and achievement by the regulator, promoting an efficient and effective telecommunications policy.

Within the framework of the event “5G Latin America: Digital Symposium 2021”, INDOTEL was awarded as “Innovative Regulator of the Year” for the tender project for the 700Mhz and 3.5Ghz bands led by this management.

Through the Digital Basket Project, she has led a pioneering subsidy program focused on gender, benefiting more than 2000 women heads of household. In addition, it has promoted the inclusion and dissemination of users’ rights, introducing guides in Braille and attention in sign language, with the collaboration of service provider companies.

Cruz Abreu has made an impact at the international level by leading the Dominican Republic’s active participation in the ITU P2C initiative, achieving the incorporation of new actors and commitments for the country’s connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.

With a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a master’s degree in Corporate Finance from the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), he has specialized his knowledge in Regulatory Economics, Regulation of Public Utilities, and Price Regulation in the Telecommunications Industry. In addition, he completed the Innovation and Government Leadership program at Georgetown University’s business school. Her international experience includes working at Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition, as well as participating as a speaker at conferences on various topics, from Number Portability to Gender Equity and ICT Inclusion. In addition, he has advised regulators in Central America and has taught at various seminars, workshops and courses on telecommunications regulation. She has also been selected as an Ambassador for Connectivity for Education by the Inter-American Dialogue.

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Disclaimer: The content of this bio has been translated from the original version in Spanish.

CEO SAMENA Telecommunications Council – UAE
Member Review Board, 5th Generation Collaborative Regulation (G5) Benchmark – ITU
Commissioner Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development – UN
Member Edison Alliance, World Economic Forum (WEF)
Member 2020 G20 Summit Advisory Board – (Former) Digital Economy Task Force – KSA
Chairman Industry Advisory Group for Development Issues & Chief Regulatory Officers Meeting (IAGDI/CRO) – ITU

For over 30 years, Bocar BA has been delivering impact in the Telecom/ICT industry of the MEA region, facilitating collaboration among private-sector and government sector entities in the pursuit of digitization and socio-economic conducive policies. BA’s professional engagement is recognized in industry-wide advocacy activities, especially toward promoting investment sustainability in the private sector of the Middle East. His innate people-centric approach has mobilized multiple consensus-building platforms, cross-regional stakeholders, and issue-specific advocacy on important sector-development challenges. He is collaborating with leading platforms and global telecommunications development institutions, including the ITU, UN Broadband Commission, the World Bank (WB), and World Economic Forum (WEF), among others, as an objective-minded representative of the private sector and as an advocate of effective policy-making and future-friendly regulation, which are crucial for fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that all nations across the globe have agreed to in the larger interest of their socio-economic development needs. BA is a principal advisor to various business, investment, and regulatory entities and assists governments in addressing matters relating to digital infrastructure investment, innovation catalysts, sustainable digital economy, job-creation, and citizen-centric public-sector delivery through the use of ICTs. Bocar BA has chaired consensus-building and contributed to the development of recommendations for leaders worldwide to help accelerate digital infrastructure development and digitalization. 

Aishath Adnan is the Co-Founder of Women in Tech Maldives, a non-profit organization committed to inspiring, empowering, and celebrating women in science and technology in the Maldives. Her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion is evident through her leadership in amplifying cybersecurity awareness and digital literacy on both national and regional platforms.

With over 16 years of experience across various domains in the technology sector, Aishath has successfully spearheaded digital transformation initiatives in both public and private sectors. Currently, she serves as the Manager for Information Systems at Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives. Her career highlights include designing and executing innovative e-Government solutions during her tenure at the National Center for Information Technology Maldives.

As a TEDx and keynote speaker, Aishath addresses critical issues such as gender equality in technology, cybersecurity awareness, and the transformative power of technology. She is dedicated to mentoring aspiring professionals, designing educational programs, and advocating for the prevention of the digital divide.

In addition to her corporate and advocacy roles, Aishath is the Chief Operating Officer at Spark Hub, a consultancy firm focused on enhancing the startup ecosystem in the Maldives. She is also a Co-Founder of the Maldives Startup Network- NGO dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the Maldives. She also serves on the executive committee of the Maldives Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

Anatel’s Commissioner Carlos Baigorri, currently President of the Board of Directors, has a degree in Economic Sciences from the University of Brasília (UnB), with a Master’s and Doctorate in Economics from the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB). Acting in the telecommunications area since 2006, he was a consultant and analyst of sector information in an Association of mobile operators. He has also served as an undergraduate professor at the Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), at the Institute of Higher Education of Brasília (IESB), and at the Brazilian Institute of Capital Markets (IBMEC). He wrote articles and book chapters published in Brazil and abroad. He has been a career permanent employee at Anatel since 2009, where he has been previously nominated Executive Superintendent, Competition Superintendent, Obligations Control Superintendent and Head of Technical Assistance.

Eng. El-Gamal is a Telecom Executive, and former Executive President at National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA).

With a track record in telecom industry, Eng. El-Gamal breaks into new markets globally and delivers multi-business turnarounds across B2B and B2C markets. He has established firm relations with other telecom regulatory authorities worldwide and been able to strategize the big picture, manage the fine details, and drive unprecedented growth in telecom regulation.

During Eng. El-Gamal’s tenure as Executive President at NTRA, NTRA made its way as an ITU renowned member with a plenty of milestones and awards achieved. The telecom regulatory authority of Egypt was also awarded the ISO-9001 certification of Organizational Quality Management System.

Eng. El-Gamal had been appointed the Minister’s Assistant for Networks and ICT Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) for one year, before which he held different positions in major international companies such as, the Vice President for Strategy, Marketing and Solution Sales in Huawei Egypt as well as the Regional Director of Business and Network Consulting Department at Huawei Technologies, North Africa, for more than 5 years.

Prior to joining Huawei, Eng. Hossam El-Gamal served as the Acting CTO and Capital Project Management Officer at MTN-Yemen from 2009 to 2011.

It’s worth noting that Eng. El-Gamal obtained a B.Sc. in Engineering from Alexandria University in 1998, and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Robert Kennedy College (RKC), Switzerland in 2014.

Eng. El-Gamal also received the PMP Certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the USA and the Certificate of Leadership Development for the International Organizations from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Gavril Flores serves as the Chief Officer at the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), spearheading Malta’s execution of the AI Strategy and Vision, while also shaping policies and ensuring effective governance across all functions of the Authority.

With fifteen years of experience regulating various industries, Gavril has led national projects focusing on consumer protection and empowerment, regulatory optimization, product safety and capacity building. He represents Malta in various international fora, where he advocates for forward-thinking policies and cultivates collaborations across borders. Within the MDIA, he drives business development efforts, oversees the formulation of recognition frameworks, and ensures the integrity of regulatory structures.

He holds the position of Senior Visiting Lecturer at the University of Malta and is a certified ISO lead auditor.

Professor (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel is currently the Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University (Pioneering National Security and Police University of India, www.rru.ac.in) and a Member, National Security Advisory Board of India. Professor Patel is serving as Member, UN International Law Commission (2023-2027). Professor Patel has served as the Director (Vice Chancellor) of the Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar for two consecutive terms (2008-2019). Professor Patel also served as a member of 21st Law Commission of India (2015-2018). Professor Patel obtained his PhD in International Law and LLM from, Leiden University and another PhD in international law from, Jaipur National University.

Professor Patel is a former international civil servant, scholar and academician of international law, national security matters and diplomacy. Professor Patel has been involved in various national and international organisations and has played key role in drafting of various legislations.

His specialisation includes international litigation and arbitration (ICJ, ITLOS, PCA); law of the sea and maritime law and international humanitarian law and national security and international law.

Miguel Borg is the Chief Executive Officer of Malta Venture Capital, a sovereign investment entity that directly invests in the shareholding of start-up companies operating in innovative economic sectors. He also lectures at the University of Malta and the Global Banking School, which is affiliated with Bath Spa University in the United Kingdom. Additionally, he holds directorships at Malita Investments plc and MSPP Ltd.

He previously was Chief Risk Officer and Executive Director at Bank of Valletta plc, where he served as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee. He also served as a Director at BOV Asset Management Ltd and chaired the Risk Committee of MAPFRE MSV Life plc. He was a member of the Ethics Committee of PRMIA (USA) and had experience working at the Central Bank of Malta.

Miguel Borg specialises in risk management and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters. He holds a Master’s degree in Economic.

Laila is a visionary and global futurist leader with over 20 years of experience in the government and private sector. She is the Managing Director of Communities Connect Cities (C3), a leading advisory company in smart and sustainable cities that empowers organizations to achieve their goals and create positive impact. She is also the first appointed executive director in Oman IT Society.

She is also a recognized expert and advisor in metaverse, digital transformation, innovation, and tourism, with multiple publications and awards in these fields.

With a strong focus on the Middle East, Laila has been instrumental in shaping the smart cities agenda and strategy for various governments, UN organizations, and consulting firms. She is the founder of the Smart Cities Ambassadors program, a global initiative that nurtures and mentors individuals to become leaders in the field. She is also a sought-after global keynote speaker and author, who shares her insights and vision on the future of smart and sustainable cities, metaverse, and tourism. Laila is passionate about creating a better world for everyone through technology, collaboration, and innovation.

Lucy is an internationally recognised “confidence catalyst” and has led programs of empowerment for over 1000 people. She is pioneering the Science of Empowerment to galvanize more people to make a positive impact, leveraging a decade delivering transformations from refugee camps to billion-dollar boardrooms.

She is a serial entrepreneur and has founded two award-winning organisations: Aequaland, an edtech company, and Refugee Voices, a grassroots NGO. She holds a Masters in Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh, and hosts Human Alchemy, a podcast at the intersection of neuroscience, food, and education.

From Tech CEOs to displaced persons, Lucy rebuilds resilience, self-confidence, and identity in a volatile world.

Clint Betts is the CEO and co-founder of CEO.com and Silicon Slopes.

Justina Bieliauskaite is the Innovation Director at the European DIGITAL SME Alliance, the first and largest association in Europe dedicated exclusively to represent the interests of ICT small and medium-sized enterprises. In her role, Justina oversees the participation of organisation’s and SME experts in European and international standardization activities. She also leads the projects team, focusing on EU-funded R&D initiatives and enhancing SME access to innovation funding. With over a decade of experience, Justina has successfully supervised the implementation of more than 40 projects, significantly impacting SME innovation, legal compliance, and the green and digital transitions.

John Biggs is an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and maker. He spent fifteen years as an editor for Gizmodo, CrunchGear, and TechCrunch and has a deep background in hardware startups, 3D printing, and blockchain. His work has appeared in Men’s Health, Wired, and the New York Times.

He has written nine books including the best book on blogging, Bloggers Boot Camp, and a book about the most expensive timepiece ever made, Marie Antoinette’s Watch. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

He runs the Keep Going podcast, a podcast about failure. His goal is to share how even the most confident and successful people had to face adversity.

Yevgeniya Bikmurzina is the Head of the Innovation Ecosystem Department at the Innovation and Digital Development Agency of Azerbaijan, where she oversees the strategic implementation of key national projects aimed at enhancing the country’s innovation landscape. With almost 10 years of experience in delivering government-backed innovation initiatives, Yevgeniya has led programs focused on fostering startups, providing access to venture funding, supporting R&D activities, and driving innovation culture development. Under herleadership, several large-scale initiatives have been executed, aimed at building a robust infrastructure for the local innovation ecosystem, including partnerships with international organizations. As a leader, Yevgeniya’s future aims include expanding international collaborations, scaling national innovation programs, and strengthening Azerbaijan’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

Aaron has over 25 years of experience in international strategy for the technology sector, primarily in telecommunications and cybersecurity. Prior to founding Welchman Keen, Aaron was President, International at Silent Circle, a leading Geneva-based company providing encrypted communications hardware and software.

As Chief Strategy Officer of ABI Research, Aaron led the company into the cybersecurity space and built a collaborative relationship with the ITU, resulting in the development of the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) and the ITU Regional cyberDrill programme, which was provided training to over 120 governments.

Aaron was a fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), where he co-directed courses on National Cybersecurity Policy and Cyber Defence for over 30 governments. Aaron was awarded the ITU Silver Medal for his contribution to cybersecurity.

Kenneth Brincat is the CEO of MDIA. With over twenty-four years of experience in management and digital transformation, Kenneth is spearheading MDIA 2.0: A driving force in Malta’s digital landscape. He is catalysing the national agenda for responsible and human-centric development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the enabling of cybersecurity across industry. Under Kenneth’s leadership the Authority adopted a collaborative approach enabling policymakers, industry experts, and academia to synergize to ensure the optimal and safe uptake of emerging technologies.

Nancy Caruana was born in Zurrieq on the 15th April 1964. Following her education at Zurrieq primary and secondary schools, as well as the New Lyceum in Msida, she commenced her career within the Public Service in 1982, starting off as a typist at the Examinations Department. Since then, she has made her way up the career ladder progressively.

In 1994, Ms Caruana moved to the VAT Department taking up the post of a VAT Inspector. She was then entrusted with the role of Central Liaison Officer and was responsible for the VAT Exchange of Information (VIES) on Administrative Cooperation between EU Members States. She was also the Competent Authority for the Recovery of Taxes and a Member of the Public Finance Sectoral Committee for the Euro Changeover.

The Senior Principal examination in 2009 was a turning point in Ms Caruana’s career, as soon after she was promoted to Assistant Director at the Government Property Department, responsible for Enforcement Issues. In 2010, Ms Caruana was appointed Director Finance and Administration within the same Department, this time responsible for the HR Department, IT, Procurement and Finance, as well as the overall administration of the Department.

In 2014 she was appointed Director Tourism within the Ministry for Tourism where she played a significant role in the HR aspect. Later in 2014, Ms Caruana was promoted to Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business.
In November 2020 this Ministry was redesignated as the Ministry for the Economy and Industry.

In April 2022 Ms Caruana was appointed Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Inclusion, Voluntary Organisations and Consumer Rights which in January 2024 was redesignated as the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector.

In July 2024, Ms Caruana was appointed Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects.

Matthew Caruana is a business innovator, coach and mentor with a proven track record for driving project success from the grassroots up. Passionate about start-ups and entrepreneurship and finds his work with youth extremely rewarding. Matthew believes education, especially experiential learning is crucial to inspire and prepare youth to succeed in a global economy. Matthew’s work in the startup ecosystem has been integral to the successful launch of countless projects across various economic and social spheres, such as a crowdfunding platform, educational programmes and funding opportunities.

Research Analyst in Innovation at the Digital Innovation Laboratory of OGTIC | Leader of Digital Innovation and Open Innovation Projects

Labor psychologist with a master’s degree in Contemporary Culture (Literature, Artistic Institutions, Cultural Communication).

She has extensive experience in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, as well as in managing and developing digital innovation and open innovation projects. She has designed training programs for the public and private sectors, focusing on the implementation of initiatives that foster creativity and adaptation to new technological environments, as well as formulating communication strategies to ensure the impact and dissemination of these projects.

Professionally, she also excels in areas such as performance management, emotional intelligence, assertive communication, and life project development, which has allowed her to integrate innovative approaches in the workplace and organizational settings. Additionally, she has training in creative and therapeutic writing, autobiographical narrative, storytelling, and creativity.

At the age of 17, she started her first blog, which over time evolved into her venture Historias en Colores, a project dedicated to creating experiences of exploration, healing, and rewriting personal stories within a community.

Idrissa Dia, a Senegalese national, is the Director of the Economic and Social Infrastructure Global Practices Department in the Islamic Development Bank Group since July 2021. The Department covers the elaboration of Sector Policies, Strategies, and Products development, Operations quality assurance and Knowledge & Advisory services for all types of infrastructure: Agriculture, Health, Education, Energy and ICT, Transport, Water and Urban development.

He has previously served 9 years (2009-2018) as Manager for Urban Development & Services Division of IsDB (Urban Water supply & Sanitation, Social Housing, Solid waste management), and as Global Practice Manager, Urban Development and Disaster Risk Management for Africa, in the World Bank Global Practice Department for Social, Urban, Rural, and Resilience (2015-2016).

Previously, he was Head of the Regional Infrastructure Unit (Water, Sanitation, Energy, Transport) in the Islamic Development Bank Regional Office in Dakar, overseeing activities in 11 African countries, and Principal Financial Analyst in the Public Utilities Department (Water, Sanitation, Energy, Mining) and then the Energy & ICT Division of the Infrastructure Dept (OINF) at the African Development Bank, in Tunis (2005-2007).

Idrissa has 28 years of general working experience, including 25 years in Development finance and international development, working with the public and private sectors in Africa, Central & South Asia, Middle East, Europe and North Africa.

His professional experience includes the areas of infrastructure development and financing (electricity, ICT, water, sanitation, Transport, Mining), Technical Assistance operations and municipal services delivery (solid waste management, municipal finance and social housing), disaster risk management, and economic empowerment (financial inclusion).

He holds a Master of Science in Finance from the Faculty of Advanced studies of the Montreal University, in Canada, with concentration in Financial Institutions & Development Projects Finance.

Eva Marie Ecklu is a development practitioner with an engineering background, currently serving as a Program Officer with Solidaridad West Africa. In this role, she collaborates with a team of digital enthusiasts to develop innovative solutions that enhance community resilience and create sustainable supply chains, supporting the transition toward an inclusive economy that promotes sustainable livelihoods and fair business opportunities.

Together with a team, Eva works on a digital platform that facilitates real-time communication between oil palm farmers and mills/aggregators, ensuring the timely evacuation of harvested oil palm Fresh Fruit Bunches to improve quality and fair value for farmers. By providing accurate information and promoting transparency across the oil palm value chain, this platform empowers farmers to make informed business decisions and strengthens the oil palm value chain in Ghana. The platform also provides extension services to farmers through Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and facilitates access to market inputs and services.

Her dedication to sustainability earned her a speaking role at COP28 to speak on the topic of “The impact of fast fashion on the environment”, where she represented the Rotary club. Additionally, Eva serves as the Project Director for the Rotaract Club of Accra Ring Road Central, leading sustainable community development projects, including tutoring underserved children in digital literacy.

Mr. Geoffrey Farrugia, 40, is a seasoned technology entrepreneur with extensive experience in establishing, managing, and expanding IT start-ups. An IT graduate, he boasts over 15 years of expertise in telematics and the Internet of Things (IoT), bringing a wealth of creative and innovative skills to the industry. As the Chief Executive Officer of HandsOn Systems, his vision is to develop advanced and sustainable technological systems that provide tangible and immediate benefits to end customers. He has successfully designed and implemented numerous large-scale IT solutions for both private and public sectors. His primary interests include IoT, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and smart cities. Under his leadership, HandsOn Systems has emerged as a global player in the IoT sector, with multiple offices worldwide and a significant presence in Africa.

Mr. Feki is an Industrial Development Officer with a demonstrated history in supporting business ecosystem, enterprise modernization and innovation, I4.0 and digital transformation, quality infrastructure, Aid for Trade.

He joined the United Nations Industrial development organization (UNIDO) in 2007 where he formulated, raised financing and implemented several projects in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North and Sub-Saharan Africa in different topics related to industrial development and digital transformation.

Among others, he’s leading the Initiative related to the Alliance for I4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa (AISMA) and overseeing several Programmes supporting the establishment of smart factories in Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Cote d’Ivoire, etc.

Before joining UNIDO, he was a project manager for the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ), supporting the implementation of a project in the area of SMEs upgrading and enhancement of local competitiveness.

Elaine France helps leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs to take action and deliver climate and sustainable development solutions for people and planet.

She brings together 30 years of experience in social development to cohere and catalyse innovation and entrepreneurship eco-systems: providing strategic advisory to accelerate innovation, capacity-building via training (online/face to face) and events to develop green talent; and facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement to create strategic visions and implement sustainability strategies.

Elaine is a qualified strategic foresight practitioner and member of global foresight networks. She embeds foresight as a core competence for navigating the challenges of today’s world, as an essential green skill for intra and entrepreneurs, ensuring long-term value creation. With UN ITU, she co-created the Strategic Foresight 101 and Green Digital Entrepreneurship for Women e-learnings available on the UN ITU Academy. She has also worked with UN IOM (Migration) to embed Strategic Foresight as a core forward-looking approach to realize their 2025-2029 Strategic Plan.

In 2020/2021, she created an AfDB funded Entrepreneurial Education Syllabus with the National Curriculum Development Centre and Ministry of Education in Lesotho, currently being implemented. She also partners with the University of Geneva: Geneva Responsible Entrepreneurship Center (GREC) and Global Entrepreneurship Week Geneva to build entrepreneurial competencies. Prior to coming to Switzerland in 2011, Elaine was Project Director and Head of Business Development at Partnerships UK/Local Partnerships, a spin-out of HM Treasury, creating a hybrid Accelerator supporting the development of health and social care enterprises.

Elaine is the Founder of Flow In Action and the Flourishing Futures Collective.

Abi is passionate about using business as a force for good. With over 19 years of experience at EY, Abi is outcome driven and has a proven track record of designing and delivering on strategic Corporate Responsibility initiatives and, previously, commercial client work.

Abi has worked in EY’s Global Corporate Responsibility Team in a variety of strategic roles for over 10 years. Most recently, she has been instrumental in designing and implementing a portfolio of Women in AI and Emerging Tech initiatives, including the EY STEM App, which aims to empower the next generation of girls to pursue a career in STEM, through gamified learning.

In addition, Abi has established EY’s global approach to humanitarian response and has extensive experience of working with impact entrepreneurs, supporting them to overcome barriers to growth and advance progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Prior to joining the Global Corporate Responsibility Team, Abi worked as a Management Consultant and Auditor.

Abi is a chartered accountant, received a Masters in Health Care Ethics and Law and an LLB in Law.

 

Fraser Graham is the Director of Public Policy at Ooredoo Group. With over 25 years of experience in the mobile telecommunications industry, he has developed expertise in public policy advocacy, international regulatory affairs, data privacy, digital transformation, regulatory modernisation, regulatory compliance, regulatory strategy, and other commercially strategic projects. His extensive career spans mobile groups, operators, consultancy firms, and the GSMA, covering regions across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Iusef Abdel Hafith is the Program Manager at SuperCharger Ventures in Malta. As a VC-backed entrepreneur, He’s had the privilege of working with over 100 startups per year, gaining a unique perspective on what drives growth from both an investor’s and founder’s point of view. With a BSc in Engineering from Jordan and an MSc in Engineering and Entrepreneurship from Aarhus University, I’ve navigated everything from small family-run businesses to global unicorns like Glovo HQ in Barcelona.

Mr. Waleed Hamdi serves as the Head of the Information Society Division at the African Union, where he spearheads a dynamic team of experienced professionals dedicated to transforming African societies through innovative technology solutions. Specializing in GovTech and emerging technologies, Mr. Hamdi leverages digital innovation to drive economic transformation and enhance digital services across the continent.

With over 20 years of robust experience in planning and executing digital transformation initiatives within the public and private sectors, he has successfully collaborated with a variety of stakeholders and partners to foster an inclusive digital landscape. His core competencies encompass the design and implementation of policy innovation labs, the management of high-impact projects, global collaboration efforts, and the development of comprehensive policy frameworks aimed at promoting data-driven solutions.

Certified in tech diplomacy, Waleed is deeply engaged in research areas including AI diplomacy and also digital innovation, green technologies, ICT for development, mobile technologies, and fintech. His passion for harnessing technology for the public good and driving social impact is evident in his commitment to empowering communities through accessible and sustainable digital advancements.

Minister Naadir Nigel Hamid Hassan was appointed Minister for Finance, National Planning and Trade on 3^rd November 2020.

He studied at the University of Manchester from 2001 to 2005 and holds a Bachelor’s degree with honours in International Business, Finance and Economics and from 2012 to 2013 at the University of Stirling and holds a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance.

Upon his graduation, Mr Hassan joined the Policy and Strategy Department at the Ministry of Finance as a Policy Analyst and thereafter got promoted to Senior Policy Analyst. After two years at Finance (2005 to 2007) he moved to the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) as a Public Debt Officer and shortly transferred to Financial Services Supervision as a Financial Services Analyst from 2007 to September 2009.  He rose through the ranks as a Senior Financial Services Analyst, Director and ultimately Head of the Department. After 14 years at CBS, in July 2020, he moved to Cable and Wireless Seychelles as Chief Digital and Risk Officer.

Mr Hassan was part of the Finance team that initiated discussions to start the process of joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and also trade agreements with European Union.  He also initiated the process for significant liberalization of tariffs. He was on the CBS technical team working on the 2008 economic reform programme which was supported by International Monetary Fund (IMF).  Mr Hassan has also formed part of numerous High-Level committees at the Central Bank responsible for monetary policy and implementations, international reserves investments and management, risk management and human resources policy development.  He was the Chairman of the Financial Sector Development Technical Commitee at CBS and was Vice-Chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) sub committee on banking supervision.

During his leisure time Mr Hassan enjoys fishing and his sporting passion is football.

Rosario Huaranca is a first-year Master’s student in Information Science and Technology for Healthcare at Telecom Physique Strasbourg. She is also the co-founder of a robotics community at the Universidad Mayor de San Simón, dedicated to creating opportunities and access to robotics education for economically disadvantaged children in Bolivia. Over the past two years, the initiative has trained more than 300 students and engaged over 30 university students in the project. Passionate about the intersection of technology and medicine, Rosario is currently a Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme Fellow.

Ledi Imeraj is the Director General of the Agency of Innovation and Excellence at Albania’s Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation. With over 20+ years of experience in technology, sales, digitaland innovation, shehas held leadership roles at global companies such as Salesforce, Splunk, and Oracle, specializing in enterprise sales management, solution engineering, product management, and innovation strategies.

A values-driven leader, Ledi is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their highest potential. Her extensive background in Silicon Valley, combined with her focus on innovation and her commitment to supporting Albania’s European Union accession efforts, highlights her dedication to advancing progress and fostering innovation in the Albanian Public Administration as well as across Albania.

Executive Secretary of Senegal Connect Startup (The Startup Act law operationalization in Senegal)

Raki KANE, is the executive Secretary of Senegal Connect Startup (The Startup Act law operationalization in Senegal). She is also Coordinator of Digital Week within the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital. A diplomatic career of our speaker also since she held the position of First Secretary at the Embassy of Senegal in Canada. Raki KANE spent several years at the Curie Institute in France in clinical research.

Baroness Kidron is a leading voice on children’s rights in the digital environment and a global authority on digital regulation and accountability. She has played a determinative role in establishing standards for online safety and privacy across the world.

Baroness Kidron sits as a crossbench peer in the UK’s House of Lords. She is an advisor to the Institute for Ethics in AI, University of Oxford, a Commissioner on the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, an expert advisor for the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, and Founder and Chair of 5Rights Foundation. She is a Visiting Professor of Practice at the London School of Economics, where she chairs the research centre Digital Futures for Children, and a Fellow in the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford.

Before being appointed to the Lords she was an award-winning film director and co-founder of the charity Filmclub (now Into Film).

Dr Ilia Kolochenko is a Swiss expert in cybersecurity, cybercrime investigation and cyber law. With over 15 years of professional experience in information security auditing, incident response and digital forensics, he is also an attorney-at-law admitted to the DC Bar in Washington, DC. As a lawyer, his practice is mainly focused on data protection, privacy and cybersecurity law. Dr Ilia Kolochenko is also an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity Practice & Cyber Law at Capitol Technology University and a Faculty Member at the DC Bar Continuous Legal Education Program where he teaches cybersecurity for lawyers.

Dr Kolochenko has an LLM in Information Technology Law from the University of Edinburgh Law School, an MSc in Criminal Justice (Cybercrime Investigations & Cybersecurity) from Boston University, and a PhD in Computer Science from Capitol Technology University. His doctoral dissertation ‘Framework Proposal to Regulate Lawful Hacking Within Criminal Investigations’ was dedicated to regulation of cyber investigations by national law enforcement agencies and international collaboration in prosecution of serious crime.

He is a Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) and Privacy Law Specialist (PLS) at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), two most advanced credentials in privacy practice and privacy law, respectively, while also holding AIGP, CIPP/A, CIPP/C, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM and CIMT privacy certifications by the IAPP. Additionally, he earned numerous security certifications by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) after ongoing training in advanced cloud security, incident forensics, and offensive cyber operations at SANS Institute.

Dr Ilia Kolochenko is Vice-Chair of the Information Security Committee at the American Bar Association (ABA) and a Member of Board of Appeals at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). He is also a member of the Europol Data Protection Experts Network (EDEN), INTERPOL Digital Forensics Expert Group (DFEG), National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), SANS Institute CISO Network and the EU CyberNet.

He authored over 60 articles on cybersecurity, computer crime investigations, cyber law and artificial intelligence. Interviews and expert comments of Dr Kolochenko have been published in over 250 media in Europe and the US, he is also a frequent speaker at cybersecurity, law enforcement and legal events and conferences around the globe.

Mariem Landolssi is a passionate advocate for gender equality and a skilled ICT student. Holding a certification in gender studies, Mariem Landolssi applies their knowledge to create inclusive environments and equal opportunities for future female students. As an ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoy, Mariem Landolssi is committed to promoting equitable technology and ensuring that technology benefits everyone equally. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Information and Communication Technologies at ISETCOM Tunis, Mariem Landolssi is determined to contribute to a future where technology empowers all.

Professor LIU Hao possesses an in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in Air and Space Law, AI and Digital Economy, and Global Governance. His professional journey has been marked by a dedication to the advancement of emerging technologies and aerospace operations, including unmanned aviation, sub-orbital flight, Higher Airspace Operation (HAO), commercial space ventures, and the integration of the digital economy with artificial intelligence.

Actively participating in key international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS), Professor LIU Hao plays an instrumental role in driving innovation and supporting the emergence of new businesses in the aerospace sector.

Since 2009, he has been deeply involved in shaping the air, space, and digital economy legislation within China, making significant contributions to the field’s development and progress.

Professor LIU Hao holds the positions of Secretary General of JARUS,  Executive Dean at the School of Global Governance, and Vice Dean at the School of Management, Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT).

He focuses on the education of talents for international organizations and global governance in Aerospace, Digital Economy and AI, and Arctic Science Diplomacy and Governance.

Please contact Professor LIU Hao via email at liuhaosgg@bit.edu.cn or sg@jarus-rpas.org, or find him on the LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/hao-liu-88aa5030

Muhammad Zubair Madni is a young digital and social development practitioner with over five years of experience in designing locally tailored interventions. Currently, he is a fellow of the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme (GCYLP), an initiative of ITU and Huawei for 2024/25. He holds a master’s degree in Digital Technologies, Communication, and Education from the University of Manchester, UK, where he was a Chevening scholar. His research centers on developing ICT-embedded solutions to enhance digital connectivity and learning opportunities in underserved communities.

Mr. Madni is the co-founder of the Cholistan Centre of Excellence, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bridging the digital divide in Pakistan, particularly in marginalized regions. Currently, through the ‘DIGITAL ROHI’ project, in collaboration with ITU, he is delivering tailored digital solutions to connect indigenous people, nomads, and other disconnected communities, enabling their participation in the global digital economy and reducing the digital gap.

In recognition of his impactful work, Mr. Madni was awarded Pakistan’s National Youth Award in 2021. To date, his initiatives have positively impacted over 10,000 individuals across Pakistan, transforming lives through increased access to ICT and digital opportunities.

Peter Mariën has worked in the context of International Partnerships for over 15 years, and previously worked in banking and treasury.  During his work with the European Commission, he was posted in Europe as well as in EU Delegations in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, Latin America and the Caribbean where he occupied several positions as team leader. Since September 2020,  Mr. Mariën works in INTPA’s unit working on Digital Transformation, where he is teamleader for Digital Governance. He holds a master in Business Economics and an EMLE in Law and Economics.

Victoria Masso is a behavioural engineer and international trainer based in the UK. She runs Behaviour Hackers, authors of the Future Workforce Index (FWI). This organisation uses behavioural science and technology to provide the skills of the future for organisations to thrive in a VUCA world. Some of her other roles include consulting organisations in Digital Transformation, including the United Nation’s agency ITU and several entrepreneurial ecosystem support institutions around the globe. She is the head trainer for INPUT international mentorship programme, an UN-recognised best practise. She participates in several grassroots initiatives in the UK, including being a member of the leadership committee of Silicon Canal, a grassroots initiative to support the tech scene in the West Midlands.
Amongst some of Victoria’s achievements are receiving recognition as an exceptional talent in technology by the UK government and Tech Nation, being the winner of the ITU Innovation challenges and delivering a TEDx talk on empathetic curiosity for the creation of technology. One of Victoria’s goals is to democratise digital innovation by empowering individuals with the right tools to impact their communities.

Craig Meyer is a seasoned technology leader with over three decades of experience in strategic ICT planning and implementation. Currently serving as the Director of Innovation and Special Projects at the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies in South Africa, he is at the forefront of driving technological advancements within the national government sector.

With a diverse educational background, including degrees in International Relations, Visual Communication, and Management, Meyer possesses a deep understanding of the intersection between technology and society. His passion for continuous learning has led him to explore emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, and the Metaverse. As a member of the International Telecommunications Technical Focus Group on the Metaverse, he is actively shaping the future of digital experiences.

Meyer’s expertise extends to fostering growth and development within the Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME) ICT industry. He is the visionary behind the Digitech ICT SMME program, a groundbreaking initiative that has received global recognition, including a prestigious award at the 2023 G20 Conference in India. The program’s nomination for the 2024 WSIS Award for e-Business further solidifies Meyer’s reputation as a pioneer in ICT SMME development.

Prior to his current role, Meyer served as a technical advisor to the Minister of Telecommunications. His experience in cultivating government-corporate partnerships and crafting innovative digital communication strategies has been instrumental in driving technological progress and transforming the South African digital landscape.

Dr Jean-Marie Mifsud serves as the Chief Officer for Innovative Technology at the Malta Digital Innovation Authority. She has gained extensive experience across academia, industry, and regulatory sectors, with a focus on telecommunications, particularly in satellite networks, and digital transformation. She was awarded a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical Engineering and a Ph.D. in ICT from the University of Malta.

Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga is the Director General of ICT Commission in Tanzania. ICT   Commission is the promoter and coordinator of ICT activities in Tanzania. He serves as a Director in the board of CRDB Bank Foundation. He is also the member   of Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM) where he leads an   initiative on emerging technologies. He has a PhD in High Performance Computing  (Supercomputing). He possesses passionate enthusiasm about design and application of   supercomputing systems and Startup Cluster Development. He has amassed more than 20  years’ experience in High Performance Computing (HPC), Blockchain Technology, Cloud   Computing, Quantum Computing, Nano-Satellites, Financial Inclusion, Big data, Internet of   Things and Crypto-currencies. He researches on Quantum Computing, Startup Cluster and   Ecosystem Development, HPC, and Blockchain Technology.

Ms. Solomiya Omelyan joined UNIDO in 2007. In her current capacity as Chief of the Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia, Ms. Omelyan is responsible for determining regional strategies and programmatic priorities for UNIDO’s services in 27 countries of the region while ensuring that the Organization responds to the specific industrial development needs and requirements of its Member States.

Prior to joining UNIDO, Ms. Omelyan worked as a Policy Consultant at the United Nations Environment Programme’s Vienna Interim Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention (2005-2007) where she implemented regional projects in the area of sustainable development of mountainous regions. She also worked in the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria, the Committee on Industrial Policy and Entrepreneurship at the Parliament of Ukraine in Kyiv and different academic and research institutions.

Ms. Omelyan obtained her Master’s degree with honours in international economics and international relations from the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine, and her M.A. (Magister Artium) from the Ukrainian Free University in Munich, Germany.

Kelly Ommundsen is Head of Digital Inclusion and a Member of the Executive Committee for the World Economic Forum

As Head of Digital Inclusion, Kelly combines her expertise in technology, policy, and partnerships with her commitment to social equity to drive meaningful change. Through flagship initiatives such as the EDISON Alliance and GovTech, she champions public-private partnerships to help bridge the digital divide and enable meaningful digital transformation.

Prior to this position, Kelly served as the Chief of Staff to the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum for over 5 years, as well as managed the Forum’s Board of Trustees, its top governance body, and served as the official secretary.

Kelly was responsible for creating and leading the Global Collaboration Village, the Forum’s presence in the metaverse, as well as building a vibrant community of 100+ Village Partners. She has previously led the government and regional partnerships for the Forum’s work on technology, as well as responsible for the relationship with the US Government in the Forum’s New York office.

Kelly has a diverse background in the public sector and civil society. She holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan.

Head of the Digital Innovation and Development Laboratory, OGTIC | Specialist in Design Thinking and Technology for Public Sector Transformation

Lissette Pacheco is an innovation leader with an outstanding track record in the digital and technological transformation of the public sector in the Dominican Republic. With over a decade of experience in industrial design and agile methodologies, Lissette has led multiple projects focused on creating disruptive technological solutions that enhance government efficiency and responsiveness.

During her role as an industrial design specialist for the Vice Presidency of the Dominican Republic, Lissette spearheaded the implementation of 17 makerspaces across various regions of the country, including remote areas like the community of Jimaní. This pioneering initiative connected vulnerable communities with technological projects aimed at improving both their environment and quality of life.

In her current position as Head of the Digital Innovation and Development Laboratory at OGTIC, she manages multidisciplinary teams and oversees the design and implementation of technological products and open innovation programs. She also leads the implementation of over 20 technological or innovation projects, including the Innovation Labs Network, one of the key initiatives of the 2030 National Innovation Policy.

Lissette has been recognized multiple times for her contributions to innovation, including winning 1st place in InnovApp, a competition that fosters technological applications to improve citizens’ lives. She was also honored by the Vice Presidency as a “Young Innovator” for her leadership in establishing the country’s makerspaces.

A passionate advocate for human-centered design, Lissette envisions a future where governments not only innovate but also deeply connect with society’s needs.

Mr Ponder is Head of the ITU Office for Europe at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (Geneva, Switzerland). Within the last years Mr. Ponder has been carrying out numerous projects, activities and initiatives at national, regional and international levels. He has been taking lead role in many international conferences and summits dealing with fostering ICT innovation and development of ICT ecosystem, information society, and advancements of digital economy worldwide, while setting strategies and ensuring their timely implementation.
Along the professional career Mr. Ponder held official positions in the public sector and was a contributor to the legislative projects having impact on the public policy. Since 2014 Mr. Ponder has been working for ITU, in Market, Economics and Finance Unit (MEF/ITU), Strategy and Policy Unit (SPU/ITU), Project and Initiatives Department (PRI/ITU). From year 2008 upon his former duties he has acted as Europe Officer (EUR/ITU) as well as Project Manager for European Centres of Excellence Network (CoE-EUR). In August 2008 he was appointed as Coordinator for Europe. After successful recreation of the coordination for the region in 2009 he moved to the General Secretariat becoming Strategy and Policy Coordinator and one year later Senior Strategy and Policy Advisor with the objective to lead the ITU activities on World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS; United Nation Process on ICTs) and its 10 year review, amongst the others successfully establishing prime platforms, i.e. WSIS Forum, WSIS Prizes, WSIS Stocktaking, and organizing WSIS+10 High Level Event (2014) that resulted in negotiated texts. In parallel, since 2011 he has been working as Coordinator for Europe strengthening coordination and implementation mechanism. In 2017 he became the Head of ITU Office for Europe, directing actions, projects, initiatives, experts groups targeting 45 countries and representing ITU in Europe.

Prof. Dr. Rafael Popper brings over two decades of expertise in international business, foresight, entrepreneurship, and sustainable innovation management. His career spans roles as a principal scientist, entrepreneur, lecturer, researcher, and innovation policy consultant, collaborating with a wide range of organisations worldwide, including the European Commission, European Innovation Council, EU agencies (ENISA, ETF, EFSA, CEDEFOP), United Nations bodies (UNIDO, UNDP, ECLAC), and international organisations like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Recognised with two Emerald Literati Awards and an Economics Award, Prof. Popper is also known for establishing breakthrough solutions, such as the Centre for Foresight and Internationalisation (CFI) in Poland. His influential publications and 200+ international speaking engagements, including at The Royal Society in the UK and the European Parliament, showcase his commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation.

Dr. Popper holds multiple affiliations, including:

• Founder and Director of Strategy @ Futures Diamond Ltd (UK)


• Director @ Futures Capacity Academy (UK)


• President @ Green Iceberg Ltd (Poland)


• Board Member @ Triple Helix Association (Global)


• Director @ Centre for Foresight & Internationalisation (CFI) in Technology Partners Foundation (Poland)


• Adjunct Professor in Futures Studies, Foresight & Innovation Management @ University of Turku (Finland)


• Adjunct Professor in Business Trade, Economics & Industrial Marketing @ Warsaw University of Technology (Poland)


• Visiting Professor in Innovation and Strategic Management @ Białystok University of Technology (Poland)


• Visiting Professor in Foresight & Sustainable Innovation @ University of Sao Paulo (Brazil)


• Professor in Foresight & Sustainable Innovation @ University of the Republic (Uruguay)


• Honorary Senior Lecturer @ The University of Manchester (UK)

Adna Rahman leads the Ministry of Education Brunei Darussalam’s initiative on entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering Awareness, Interests, Knowledge, Action, Value, and Sustainability (A.I.K.A.V.S.) through a blend of educational and entrepreneurial practices.

Before his current role, he spearheaded the (Ministry of Education) National Entrepreneurship Agenda at Brunei’s premier university, creating the Entrepreneurship Village—a collaborative platform for educators, industry stakeholders, and entrepreneurs to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem for students. This initiative achieved significant success, generating profits through a unique ideation-prototype-commercialization process without heavy reliance on grants or capital, marking notable student-startup exits within a year.

With nearly two decades of experience at Universiti Brunei Darussalam and as a national co-founder of entrepreneurship education, Adna now focuses on integrating and synchronizing the entrepreneurial and innovative content into early education and has played a pivotal role in embedding entrepreneurial skills in education from early learning to higher education from his current role at the Ministry.

As an ecosystem builder, Adna has also managed to incubate more than 200 startups at higher learning stage while currently mentoring multi-discipline startups and entrepreneurs both locally and internationally, all with the purpose to enhance the knowledge and practise of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. His vision focuses on equipping students (right from early age) with entrepreneurial mindsets, pragmatic knowledge and skills for future employability and sustainability.

Trevor Sammut is the Senior Technology Architect at the Malta Digital Innovation Authority and is responsible for the various aspect of reviews of various kinds of innovative technology, its practical application, design and function. Mr Sammut also handled the Authorisations, Compliance, and Enforcement functions of the Authority always with a focus on technology first.

Mr. Sammut’s experience includes over eight years as an ICT Applications Officer for the Ministry for Health engaged in the implementation of large-scale ICT Projects for the various business requirements related to Healthcare systems. He was responsible for project management related to IT networks and ICT infrastructure as well as detailed technical consultancy for the commissioning and implementation of healthcare projects. The Information Management Unit within the Ministry for Health interacted with a potential user-base of approximately 10,000 users.

Previously, Trevor spent nine years as a Police Inspector in the Malta Police Force handling Police/EU/Europol ICT Projects, ICT Department and IT team management within a high-security ICT Infrastructure and environment. He also steered and guided high-level management projects and systems, mostly related to national security.

Currently serving as the General Manager of Brunei Innovation Lab. In these roles, he manages a forward-thinking team dedicated to focus on mentoring startups in commercialization, operational growth, and strategic development, while driving ecosystem expansion through partnerships with local and international private agencies.

With over 10 years of experience in developing Brunei’s startup ecosystem, he began his career at the Brunei Economic Development Board, where he helped launch key initiatives like capacity-building programs, the national incubation centre, and financing schemes to support new businesses.

Brunei Innovation Lab

Brunei Innovation Lab is a key ecosystem facilitator that focuses on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Brunei. It provides a platform for technopreneurs, startups, developers, and enterprises to collaborate and develop innovative solutions. By bringing together a diverse network of partners—including industries, government institutions, academia, and enterprises—Brunei Innovation Lab aims to support the development, testing, and commercialization of new technologies and business ideas.

Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL) partners with several strategic organizations to support and nurture technopreneurs and the broader innovation ecosystem. Key partners include:

• Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) – Provides industry expertise and resources, particularly in energy and related technologies.


• Shell LiveWIRE Brunei – Focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and offering support to startups through mentorship and funding.


• DST Digital (DST) – As a leading telecommunications provider, DST contributes technology infrastructure and digital resources to help startups develop and scale their solutions.


• Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) – Brunei’s main agency for enterprise development, offering support through incubation, funding, and various entrepreneurship programs.

Alain Tounwende Sawadogo is a Senior Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank, with over twenty years of experience in digital development. He coordinates the digital agenda in the Sahel region and is responsible for the preparation and implementation of key projects such as the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project in Burkina Faso, the Digital Transformation Project in Chad, and the Smart Villages Project in Niger. Alain has also led numerous diagnostic studies on the digital economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He has played a significant role in developing national strategies for the digital economy across various Sub-Saharan African countries. Having previously worked as an expert with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the GSMA on economic and regulatory aspects of telecommunications, Alain holds a PhD in Management from the Institut Mines-Télécom, two MBAs, and a certificate in Public-Private Partnerships and Project Finance from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Prof. Ahmad R. Sharafat is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Iran on international affairs; Member of the Iranian Academy of Sciences; Chair of the Management Committee of Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT); Vice-Chair of Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG) in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); and Rapporteur of Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) Rapporteur Group on Digital Transformation.

He received his B.Sc. degree from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, and his M.Sc. and his Ph.D. degrees both from Stanford University, Stanford, California, all in Electrical Engineering in 1975, 1976, and 1981, respectively. He has been active in specialized international organizations in the field of telecommunications and information technology, and, in particular, in ITU and APT. He has published extensively in scientific scholarly refereed journals, has numerous presentations to international conferences, has co-authored four books, and has eleven patents.

Mr. Zhuoyong Shi from Asia China is an academic master’s student with engineering background, currently pursuing his master’s degree in Electronic Science and Technology at Northwestern Polytechnical University.

At the master’s degree level, he was ranked first in his major for two consecutive years, and at the same time, he followed his supervisor to conduct research in the field of Artificial Intelligence and other disciplines, and he has published 8 scientific papers with SCI region II and above. Zhuoyong Shi and his team conduct research in the field of low-altitude economy construction, promote the efficient collaboration between drones to complete the task, and endeavour to contribute to the development of the future digital low-altitude economy as a telecommunication man’s strength!

Zhuoyong Shi’s passion for the low-altitude economy has earned him the opportunity to speak at the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Innovation Forum. He will use his actions to empower digital innovation with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Mr Sidhoum has been spearheading the adoption of Crypto B2B Use Cases in general and Stable Coins in particular in EMEA since 2021. Before that, he co-founded VERTIS Capital, a Venture firm that addressed early stage investment needs in Sub Saharan Africa, after witnessing first hand the crippling funding gaps as a Serial Entrepreneur (four companies, three continents, two industries).

Mr Sidhoum is also the occasional panelist or mentor for international and local acceleration programs (World Bank Afrique Excelle, UN SGS Geneva, African Rethink Award…) and a regular speaker at industry events (Money 2020, VivaTech, Afrlolynk, UNDP, Afric’Up…).

Prof Russell Smith began his career in business by starting a software company, whilst still studying for his PhD (RAF and King’s College, London) in the 1980s. Products from that company sold in 27 countries. In 1985 he joined the pharmaceutical industry, running international drug-development programmes in North America, Europe and Japan finally leading a team of more than 100 staff. For the last twenty years Russell has specialised in the commercialisation of IP arising from academic research and the teaching & development of student entrepreneurship resulting in the development of the Incumatrix system of entrepreneurship. In 2012 Her Majesty, The Queen was graciously pleased to approve the Prime Minister’s recommendation that he should receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.

In 1999, Russell co-founded Avidex Ltd, a spin-out company from the University of Oxford and, as Managing Director, raised £1.7m in their first year of operations. Russell left Avidex in December 2000 (after the successful completion of a £10m finance round that valued the company at £25m) to take over Prolysis Ltd, another University of Oxford spin-out. During his time at Prolysis he raised over £5m of venture capital. In November 2004 Russell became Chairman of Surface Therapeutics Ltd, his third University of Oxford spin-out, leading a finance round that raised £1.5m of venture capital. All three companies have now been sold.

Russell wrote a monthly page on business, from 2004 to 2010, for “The Independent” and his book “How to Start a Successful Business” was published in 2007 and has been re-issued with two further editions. He is an award-winning speaker and his invited lecture tours include Spain, Cyprus, Iceland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Italy, Russia and Malta.

Russell has worked to inspire student entrepreneurship since 1999. Since 2008, Russell led an annual two-day Doctoral Entrepreneurship Workshop for final-year PhD students from Warwick University and Imperial College. In 2010, he was invited by the National Council for Student Entrepreneurship to deliver its entrepreneurship training programmes.

Marius Stanciu is a founding partner of Buju Stanciu & Associates, who specializes in contracts, corporate matters and finance law. Tackling all issues related to digital asset platforms and transactions, artificial intelligence and decentralized finance (DeFi), Marius has been assisting fintech companies and digital asset investors.

Additionally, Marius is one of the founders of Lawren.ai, Romania’s first AI-powered legal virtual assistant. Trained in Romanian law and jurisprudence, Lawren.ai provides instant access to intricate legal information, explaining legal reasoning and processes in simple, easy-to-understand language.

 

Roman Tolstosheyev is a senior BSc. student in Information Security at Baku Higher Oil School. Currently working as an Application Security Specialist, he holds certifications including Huawei Certified ICT Associate in Cloud Computing and ISC2 Certified in Cyber Security and has vocational education in Java development.

Roman is a fellow of the International Telecommunication Union’s Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme (GCYLP) and a participant in the SOCAR Young Talents Programme in Cyber Security. An active ICT Huawei Ambassador and former participant of the Seeds of the Future Programme, he is dedicated to fostering growth in the tech community.

A previous winner of National Olympiads in Informatics, Roman conducts Competitive Programming and Informatics training for talented school students under a project of the Institute of Education of the Azerbaijan Republic. He also holds a leading position in the BHOS Cyber Club, which organizes events to inspire young students in IT-related majors to pursue careers in Cyber Security.

Passionate about Cyber Security and an Application Security Evangelist, Roman continues to contribute to the field through both his professional work and community involvement.

 

Mr TSE Hao Guang is Assistant Director at the Singapore government’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information. His team at the Smart Nation Strategy Office is responsible for guiding Singapore’s next-bound digitalisation strategy, Smart Nation 2.0. Hao Guang helps the foresight arm of the team, investigating emerging issues in the digitalisation space and distilling insights for strategic action. In his spare time, he writes poetry and is involved in Singapore’s small press publishing scene.

Agnė Vaiciukevičiūtė is the Vice Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania.

Previously she worked as a Vice Dean for Strategic Partnership of the Faculty of Business Management at VILNIUS TECH.

Agnė‘s career has taken her to four continents including North America and Australia where she worked as a researcher at the Center for European Policy Analysis, Washington DC and Australian Science Council Competence Center, Sydney, Australia.

She has a PhD in Social Sciences (Economics) from VILNIUS TECH.

Education 

• 2014-2019 Vilnius Tech Faculty of Business Management, Doctor of Social Sciences (Economics) 


• 2017-2018 UNSW Business School, Sydney, Australia (part-time doctoral studies) 


• 2012-2014 Vilnius Tech Faculty of Business Management, Master’s degree in International Business 


• 2012-2013 Hanyang University, School of Business, Seoul, South Korea (part-time) 


• 2008-2012 Vilnius Tech Faculty of Business Management, Bachelor’s degree in Business  

• From 2021 January 4 Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania 


• 2016-2020 Vilnius Tech Faculty of Business Management, Vice-Dean for Strategic Partnership 


• 2020 Vilnius Tech Faculty of Business Management, Associate Professor of the Department of Financial Engineering 


• 2019-2020 Center for European Policy Analysis, Researcher, Washington, DC, USA 


• 2019 Center for Strategic and International Studies, Researcher, Washington, DC, USA 


• 2018-2020 Vilnius Tech Institute of Dynamic Management, Researcher 


• 2017-2018 Australian Science Council Competence Center (CEPAR), Trainee, Sydney, Australia 


• 2014-2020 Vilnius Tech Faculty of Business Management, Department of Financial Engineering, Lecturer 

• From 2019 Founder and member of the Freedom Party. 


• 2015-2016 Vilnius City Municipal Council, Public Advisor 

• 2015-2018 Vilnius Tech Senate, Member 


• 2013-2014 Lithuanian Liberal Youth, Member of the Council 


• 2013 Participant in the International Program, “Promoting Women’s Entrepreneurship” 


• 2010-2011 Lithuanian Liberal Youth, Member of the Board 


• 2008-2009 Vilnius Tech Faculty of Business Management, Member of the Student Representation 

Johan Zammit is the president of the Malta Innovation Forum, an NGO dedicated to fostering collaboration among stakeholders to promote innovation. With over 25 years of experience in technology and innovation, Johan is also the founder and CEO of Smart Studios, a company that empowers leading brands and startups to develop world-class AI and digitalization solutions.

An accomplished IT professional, Johan combines his passion for innovation with extensive hands-on experience in executive management, scaling companies, and building cutting-edge digital products and services. His versatile career includes roles as a tech entrepreneur, CTO, mentor, startup coach, consultant, speaker, university lecturer, and software engineer, all with a central focus on delivering impactful software products to the market.

In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Johan serves as a visiting lecturer at the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Malta and is a board member of Silicon Valletta. He is an active contributor to the innovation ecosystem, sharing his expertise as a mentor, coach, and advisor to startups and more established companies.