iTALK XVI

About the event

We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

The onus is ours, to pass on a world with a healthy and thriving environment for future generations. This call, to a righteous path of sustainable development, marks a significant inflection point for the world with the solution derived from interlinked global goals; that is, every nation has a responsibility to find a balance between its present needs and the interests of future generations.

Individually and as a collective, countries are striving to attain happiness, prosperity and wellbeing for the people of the world. One particular nation in focus with sustainable development at the heart of the country’s vision for its future is the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

While sustainable development is very much a way of life for the UAE, it has been the cornerstone of the UAE’s policy making, pioneered by the nation’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Given this legacy, the nation is committed and recognizes the Agenda for Sustainable Development as a roadmap to a brighter future for all and stands firm on its pledge of ‘leaving no one behind’ achieving the 17 goals whilst pursuing economic development.

The UAE played a key role in the negotiation process leading up to the SDGs and is a pacesetter globally, given its ambition to become the best country in the world by 2071, with its quest for placing happiness at the center of public policy.

In collaboration with Ministry of Economy, UAE, Impact 17+1 Club is pleased to invite impactors from across the world to iTalk XVI and honored that for this event, we will welcome His Excellency Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade as our keynote speaker.

Keynote Topic: UAE’S VISION 2071 & THE SDG’S

Keynote Speaker: His Excellency Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economy, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)

Following the keynote address, 10 speakers are invited to share 60 seconds of their impact stories during the ‘iTalk 60seconds’ session on “What does impact mean to you?”

If you would like to speak during the iTalk 60 seconds session and share your impact vision, stories and actions, you can choose to register under the category ‘iTalk 60s Speaker’.

Following the iTalk 60-seconds session, all participants are invited to the Impact Café; where the audience becomes the stage as part of an integrated, immersive ‘impact zone’ shining the spot-light on how impactors are collectively and individually setting their own intertwining visions, roadmaps and projects for a brighter, sustainable future. This is your legacy!

AGENDA

Introduction

13:00 – 13:05 Erol Sami Guvener, Board Member, Head of Strategy and Social Purpose, The Salon

Keynote Speech

13:05 – 13:15 His Excellency Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economy, United Arab Emirates

13:20 – 13:30 Q&A - Moderated by Erol Sami Guvener, Board Member, Head of Strategy and Social Purpose, The Salon

iTalk 60-seconds

Moderator: Robin Titus, Executive Director of Global Strategic Alliances & Partnerships, The Salon

13:30 – 13:50 iTalk 60seconds, 10 Speakers

13:45 – 13:55 Q&A

Impact Cafe

Host: Aneel Khan, Director of Research & Project Development, The Salon

13:55 – 14:30 Paradigm Shift: Empowering the SDG Economy

Summary & Closing Remarks

14:30 – 14:40 Bo JI, Assistant Dean & Chief Rep. for Europe, CKGSB; Co-Founder, Impact 17+1 Club

SPEAKER PROFILES

Keynote Speaker: His Excellency Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economy, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)

H.E Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, was appointed as Minister of State for Foreign Trade in July 2020 to oversee the development of non-oil foreign trade and the expansion of global trade partnerships and increase Exports. In addition to supervising the portfolio of retaining and attracting the best talents and competencies serving the strategic orientation of the UAE, His Excellency also leads the efforts to enhance the UAE’s investment climate in order to achieve the country’s economic interests and strategic goals, thereby strengthening its position as a prime destination for business and investments at both regional and global levels.

Prior to his appointment as the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, H.E held the position of Minister of Climate Change and Environment and supervised the implementation of the country’s strategies at the domestic level, for environment and climate action, agricultural development, animal husbandry and fisheries, in addition to combating desertification and preserving biodiversity leading to enhance the sustainability of natural systems, food diversity and the transition to a green economy.

Through diverse Global participations, HE led the UAE’s efforts to mitigate and adapt to the repercussions of climate change, and protect the country's natural ecosystem by developing and implementing a set of effective policies and initiatives to achieve sustainable development at both regional and international levels and by strengthening existing and new partnerships with the government and private sectors that are capable of increasing the contribution of environment, agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors to ensuring food security and biosafety in the country as well as increasing the quality of national production.

Previously and after he served as the Director of the Department of Energy and Climate Change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E Al Zeyoudi was appointed as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as extraordinary Ambassador.

Minister Al Zeyoudi started his career as an oil engineer at the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO), and then moved to Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), where he worked on the development of renewable and clean energy technologies and solutions, and also played a key role in the success of the UAE’s 2009 campaign to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in the capital City, Abu Dhabi.

In 2020, HE. was chosen by the Davos World Economic Forum to become a member of the Young Global Leadership Council affliated with the Forum, recognizing his outstanding international efforts in the field of environment and climate. In 2015, Dr. Al Zeyoudi received the first award for Excellence from the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in recognition of his pioneering fforts in the field of renewable energy.

Co-Host: Metin Guvener, Founding Chairman, The Salon; Co-Founder, Impact 17+1 Club

Metin has evolved throughout his career creating and adding value in accordance with his self-reflective, philosophical, entrepreneurial and philanthropic values. He believes reflection brings realisation, which in turn creates transformation and a powerful resonance within ourselves and our interaction with others. That is, if we have the right tools available to us in our toolbox.

Metin has had an illustrious career integrating value as a founder, co-founder and investor through boutique platforms in financial services, real estate, private equity, hospitality, asset management and thought leadership.

Passionately connecting visions and enabling missions, Metin brings people together to innovate and appreciate heritage and succession.

As becomes evident in time, increased awareness positively correlates to our appreciation of how little it is we “know for certain”. As such, collaboration is necessary to pool our collective perspectives and resources. The Salon is founded on our mutual ability for empowerment based on increasing awareness and broadening horizons through innovative and authentic collaboration.

Carrying this spirit with him, Metin continues to participate as a panel speaker on:

· The Salon | Leadership Circle

· The FT Wealth Summit

· KPMG Family Office Network

· The Horasis Global Community

· Camden Wealth

· Prestel & Partner

Co-Host: Bo JI, Assistant Dean & Chief Rep. for Europe, CKGSB; Co-Founder, Impact 17+1 Club

Bo JI is currently the Assistant Dean of Global Executive Education & Chief Representative for Europe at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB). Bo had an over-20-year successful business career in Global Business Development, Innovation, Strategy, Supply Chain Management, M&A, etc. He served as the senior executive at the headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies such as Monsanto, Cargill, Pfizer, Wrigley and Mars. After a long corporate life, Bo became a serial entrepreneur and investor, he is also an inspiring TEDx speaker, a China expert and an advocate of EU-China trade. Combining his extensive business experiences and in-depth knowledge, Bo serves as a mentor & advisor to startups and scaleups at incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces around the world. Meanwhile, he is a well sought inspiring speaker at renowned international conferences, forums, TV media and annual corporate meetings.