Conference

Friday, February 14, 2025

Museum of the Future

Dubai Rising

Building Tomorrow’s Global Business Capital

About

Dubai Rising: Building Tomorrow's Global Business Capital

Friday, February 14, 2025

Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, in collaboration with the Dubai Media Council, presents a dynamic half-day conference focused on Dubai's transformative vision for becoming a global business hub, and one of the top three cities in the world. Themed around the city’s strategic initiatives and innovations, the event will bring together government officials, policymakers, business leaders, and academic scholars from the UAE and the United States to discuss Dubai’s evolving role in shaping the future of global commerce and sustainable economic growth.

The conference will explore Dubai 2033: The Blueprint for Sustainable Excellence; designing and implementing the physical, digital, and social infrastructure of tomorrow; Dubai's creative economy; a 10-year view of financing infrastructure investment; global challenges and opportunities for the UAE and Dubai; AI, technology, and the changing business environment; and a look toward the future of the region. This event explores how Dubai seeks to become a model of forward-thinking strategy to create a global business city on par with the leading business cities in the world, offering actionable insights for global leaders and fostering partnerships that will shape the global business landscape in the years to come.

Dubai
Agenda

Agenda

Arrival and Registration

8:30 a.m.

Welcome Remarks

Featuring Paul Almeida, Dean, McDonough School of Business, and Her Excellency Nehal Badri, Secretary General, Dubai Media Council
9:10 a.m.

Dubai 2033: The Blueprint for Sustainable Excellence

The keynote address by His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, will outline the D33 Agenda’s vision to double Dubai’s GDP by 2033, highlighting priorities such as boosting industrial value, export growth, and sustainability while positioning Dubai as a top global logistics hub, financial center, and destination for business.
9:15 a.m.

Designing and Implementing the Physical, Digital, and Social Infrastructure of Tomorrow

Join a distinguished panel featuring leaders in physical, digital, and social infrastructure as they delve into the D33 Agenda’s vision to double Dubai’s GDP by 2033. Gain insights into the strategies shaping Dubai’s future, from fostering innovation and talent to creating a resilient, interconnected, and inclusive urban ecosystem. Moderated by Prashant Malaviya, Vice Dean of Programs at the McDonough School of Business, the panelists include His Excellency Matar Al Tayer, Commissioner General, Infrastructure, Planning and Wellbeing and Director General and Chairman of the Executive Board, RTA; Her Excellency Maitha Al Shamsi, CEO, Community Empowerment Sector; His Excellency Mohamed AlMulla, CEO Dubai Media and Member Dubai Media Council; and Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of AI for DET.
9:30 a.m.

The Global Business Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities for the UAE and Dubai

The global business landscape is rapidly evolving, presenting challenges and opportunities driven by shifting geopolitics, economic uncertainties, and regulatory changes. This session explores strategies for navigating these dynamics and leveraging growth opportunities in an interconnected world, with a focus on how Dubai's strategic position enables institutions like Georgetown University to expand their global impact. Moderated by Danny Sebright, CEO, US-UAE Business Council, panelists include the Honorable Martina Strong, U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E.; Sima Ved, Founder and CEO, Apparel Group; and Reena Aggarwal, Professor and Director of the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy, Georgetown McDonough.
10:10 a.m.

Break

10:50 a.m.

Financing Infrastructure Investment: The Next 10 Years

In this panel, we shall explore the transformative impact of infrastructure investment in the UAE and the broader region. This panel highlights opportunities and challenges in financing, executing, and sustaining large-scale projects, showcasing how they drive economic growth, regional integration, and global competitiveness. Moderated by Matthew Cypher, Professor and Director of the Steers Center for Global Real Estate at Georgetown McDonough, the panelists include Jad Ellawn (B'05), Managing Partner and Head of the Middle East, Brookfield; Henrik Raber (C'91), Global Head Global Banking, Standard Chartered Bank; and Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer, DIFC.
11:20 a.m.

AI, Technology and a Changing Business Environment

In this segment, the focus will be on the rapid rise and integration of AI in the region’s financial sector. The discussion will cover how these technologies are disrupting traditional banking, asset management, and the financial system, and enabling more efficient, accessible, and secure financial services. Participants will learn about the latest trends in FinTech, the role of AI in driving digital transformation, and the regulatory landscape that is shaping the future of finance in the region. The segment will also explore the potential of these technologies to unlock new markets and enhance the overall financial ecosystem. Moderated by Professor Reena Aggarwal, the panelists include Rostin Behnam (C'00), Chairman, CFTC, USA; Karim El Solh (MBA'91), Founder and CEO, Gulf Capital; and Raakin Iqbal (S'14), Founder and CEO, Nucleus AI.
12:10 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Featuring His Excellency Mohamed Alabbar, Founder and Managing Director, Emaar Properties
12:50 p.m.

Note of Thanks

Featuring Nirmal Chhabria, professor and academic director of Executive MBA in Dubai, Georgetown McDonough
01:00 p.m.

Event Concludes, Networking Lunch Commences

01:05 p.m.
Speakers

Conference speakers

Reena Aggarwal
Reena Aggarwal
Professor and Director of the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy, Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business
Mattar Al Tayer
His Excellency Matar Al Tayer
Commissioner General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning, and Well-Being Pillar and Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Roads and Transport Authority
Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni
CEO, AI, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
Mohamed Ali Alabbar
Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar
Founder and Managing Director, Emaar Properties; Founder and Director, Noon.com; Chairman, Eagle Hills; Chairman, Americana Group
Paul Almeida
Paul Almeida
Dean and William R. Berkley Chair, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business
Mohamed Almulla
Mohamed AlMulla
Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Media Incorporated
Maitha Alshamsi
Maitha Alshamsi
Head, Community Empowerment Sector, Community Development Authority
Rostin Behnam
Chairman, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Matthew Cypher
Matthew Cypher
Professor and Director, Steers Center for Global Real Estate, Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business
Dr. Karim El Solh
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Capital
Jad Ellawn
Jad Ellawn
Managing Partner and Head, Brookfield Middle East
Raakin Iqbal
Raakin Iqbal
Co-Founder and CEO, Nucleus AI
Salmaan Jaffery
Salmaan Jaffery
Chief Business Development Officer, DIFC Authority
His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah
His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah
President and CEO, Dubai Chambers
Prashant Malaviya
Prashant Malaviya
Professor and Vice Dean of Programs, Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business
Henrik Raber
Global Head of Global Banking, Standard Chartered Bank
Danny Sebright
President, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council
Martina Strong
The Honorable Martina Strong
U.S. Ambassador to the UAE
Sima Ganwani Ved
Sima Ganwani Ved
Founder and Chairwoman, Apparel Group
Location

Location and parking

Museum of the Future, Dubai

The Dubai Rising Conference will be held at the Museum of the Future.

The museum is accessible via public transport, car, or other transport options. Valet parking for conference guests also is available at the Museum of the Future.

The conference will be in the auditorium on Podium 3. To access the meeting space, please take the lift to P3 and follow the signs to the foyer of the auditorium where there will be a registration desk at the entrance of the conference. 

There will be signs for the conference in the main lobby of the museum to guide you.