Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 15 October 2024: The SuperBridge Summit 2024, held in conjunction with GITEX Global, was inaugurated today. The two-day event held at the One&Only One Za’abeel Hotel in Dubai is organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and SuperBridge Council. The first day’s sessions commenced on a high note with eleven panel discussions, keynote speeches and fireside chats. Thought leaders from a wide array of industries, global policymakers and decision-makers convened at the event.
On the inaugural day of the Summit, sessions started with the screening of an experiential video highlighting the journey of The SuperBridge Summit, followed by welcoming remarks by Sarah Cocker, the event emcee and a welcome address by Hadi Badri, CEO of Economic Development, Dubai Economy and Tourism, UAE. The initial panel discussion titled ‘Ahead of the Curve: The Next-Gen Economic Powerhouses’ Growth and Challenges,’ moderated by Shane Tedjarati, Chairman of VS Partners and Co-Founder of SuperBridge Council, highlighted the role of strategic investments in boosting innovation and transforming the country into an economic powerhouse. The speakers, including Takashi Maruyama, Chief Investment Officer at Asset Management One, Japan and Zsuzsanna Hargitai Managing Director – SME Finance and Development, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, United Kingdom, shared success stories of several individuals and organisations rising from humble origins through strategic investments and innovation. They discussed measures to overcome challenges from inflation, climate crises, and aging demographics in a complex global economy.
Wang Yi, Founder and CEO at LAIX Inc and a key partner of SuperBridge Summit 2024 said: “SuperBridge Summit 2024 presents a pivotal opportunity to redefine our approach to global cooperation. AI is transforming education in exciting ways that offer opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds to prosper in a more connected world.”
A keynote speech by Dr. Qing Liu, Director of National Innovation Center par Excellence (NICE), China, on ‘Open Collaboration with Global Innovation Community to Drive Growth’ envisioned a global collaborative ecosystem, aiming to turn cutting-edge tech breakthroughs into economic growth engines by uniting innovators, scientists, and industry leaders, thereby tackling real-world challenges and driving regional development.
Furthermore, during a panel discussion titled ‘Shifting Sands 2.0: The Gulf’s Leap to Global Innovation Epicentre,’ speakers highlighted the transition of the Middle East to becoming a leader in innovation beyond the oil industry. The session focused on the role of free-trade agreements in defining the economic landscape of Gulf cities, facilitating innovation and attracting international business. The opening statement was given by Dr. AbdulKhaleq Abdulla, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, UAE University. Other panel members for the session comprised of – Tarek Sultan, Chairman of Agility Global, Kuwait; Hans Duisters, Founder and CEO of Sioux Group, the Netherlands; and Ian Johnston, Chief Executive of Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), UAE. The session was expertly moderated by Kevin Li, Chairman Mojia Biotech, China.
Zsuzsanna Hargitai, Managing Director – SME Finance and Development, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) United Kingdomand a Speaker at the Summit said: ‘As we come together at the SuperBridge Summit 2024, it is essential to leverage our collective knowledge and creativity to develop solutions that transcend borders. United, we can shape a future for our next gen where collaboration fuels progress and inclusivity serve as our guiding principle.’
A fireside chat, which focused on the theme ‘Human Connection in the Digital Age,’ delved into the significance of human interactions amid technological advancements. The session, led by Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group, projected the urge for human interaction and the need for balancing technological advancements in bridging the existing digital gap. The moderator of the session, Mustafa Alrawi, Group Director of Editorial Partnerships at International Media Investments, engaged in a powerful conversation reflecting his knowledge in the industry.
Additionally, speakers at the panel titled ‘Asia for Global’ shed light on the key role of Asian countries in leading globalisation. The panel, which was moderated by Vanessa Xu, Co-Founder of SuperBridge Council & Executive Chairman and CIO of VS Partners, Hong Kong S.A.R, witnessed the participation of Timothy Chen, General Partner of ACHI Capital, United States; Dr. Miniya Chatterji, Chief Executive Officer of Sustain Labs Paris; Dr. Karim El Solh, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Capital; and Dr. Karim Alwadi, Co-Founder of Beltway Group, China. The panel members explored challenges faced by Asian companies in the global landscape and the future of these enterprises.
Another session showcased the transformative impact of the topic ‘The Bridge: From Lab to Industry and ‘From IP to IPO’ on global development with cutting-edge products, underscoring the way in which ground-breaking scientific innovations are converted into real-world applications. The session, which witnessed the participation of Prof. Tony Chan, Former President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia; Seena Amidi, Managing Partner of Plug and Play Tech Center EMEA, Spain; Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, Rector of Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Turkey, and Dr. Alex Aliper, Co-Founder and President, Insilico Medicine, UAE provided attendees with a firsthand experience of ways in which these movements are supporting the journey from intellectual property to impactful solutions. This session was moderated by Ling Loerchner, Head and General Manager of Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI) Cooperative Education Division, China.
Furthermore, the inaugural day witnessed presentations and one-on-one discussions on case studies, which highlights the growth potential of Asian countries. It further emphasised the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological solutions in shaping the future of sectors, including healthcare, education and sustainability.
Additionally, a panel discussion themed ‘Bridging Cultures, Building Resilience: The Next Gen’s Blueprint’ was also held. The discussion, moderated by Yan Duan, Founder of Simple Steps, China, was commenced with an opening statement by Dr Yi Wang, Founder and CEO, LAIX. Inc., China. The session also witnessed the participation of Jack Hsu, Founder and CEO of Ivy Group International Inc. China, and Ahmed Emre Buyukkilic, Country Advisor, Investment Office of the Presidency of Türkiye, Türkiye and Zeeshan R Khattak CEO at Pakistan Software Export Board, Pakistan. The session explored the ways in which innovation can transcend technological progress to foster empathy, sustainability, and inclusivity, bridging cultures to create a more resilient and interconnected world.
Another crucial panel titled ‘Building Environmental Infrastructure for Industrialization: A sustainable Approach’ delved into how cutting-edge technologies such as AI can address climate challenges and create a synergy between technological progress and environmental stewardship. The panel members included Dr. Bo Bai, Executive Chairman and Co- Founder, MVGX Group, Singapore, who also gave the opening statement along with Tien Nguyen, Founding Partner of Earth Venture Capital, Vietnam; and Saravan Penubarthi, , Chief Technology and Operations Officer of AIQ, Ghanim Hableel, Lead Negotiator – Mitigation, COP28, Robert Jenkin, CEO of CloudSigma. –The session further explored how sustainable industrial development through robust infrastructure can ensure good air quality, water management, waste disposal, and clean power generation. It was efficiently moderated by Mustapha Mokass, Founder and CEO of Earth Technologies, France.
A fireside chat on ‘The Digital Palette: Where the Art Meets Investment’ focused on the current paradigm shift in art investment, as the digital canvas transforms into a vibrant stage for creativity, making art more transparent, accessible, and diverse while reshaping how we value and experience it. The session witnessed the participation of Marcel Kasumovich, Deputy CIO, Coinbase Asset Management, USA / UAE and Sean Moss-Pultz, Co-founder, Feral File; Founder, Bitmark, USA. The day also included a groundbreaking digital art show organised by Feral File that highlighted the convergence of technology and creativity as well as the power of art in bridging cultural divides and inspiring new ideas.
Rafaël Rozendaal, one of the renowned artists, said: “SuperBridge offers a unique platform to showcase how the digital realm transforms our experience of art and culture. Engaging with leaders across disciplines gave me the opportunity to reflect on how my work can bridge gaps between technology and human experience, inspiring a broader perspective on how we navigate and interpret digital spaces.”
Another panel discussion titled ‘Rethinking Emerging Markets’ brainstormed on the reasons for the reluctance to invest in growth markets finally shifting, and the factors driving this change. The session was moderated by Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, UAE, with the participation of Vanessa Xu, Executive Chairman and CIO of VS Partners, Hong Kong S.A.R; Fernando X. Donayre, CEO of Inca Investment (LATAM investment management firm), United States; Jalal Gasimov, CEO of PASHA Holding, Azerbaijan, and Charlie Graham Brown, GP, Seedstars International Ventures, Switzerland.
Panel discussions on the first day of the Summit concluded with an active discussion titled ‘Unlocking Africa’s Potential,’ which was moderated by Joshin Raghubar, Chairperson of iKineo Ventures, UVU Africa and the Inves Group, South Africa. The discussion had Lameen Abdul-Malik, Nobel Peace Prize (IAEA) 2005 Laureate and Senior Advisor to Chairman at Roland Berger, UAE, Dr. Moustafa Moharram, Chairman, Moharram & Partners, Public Affairs & Strategic Communications, Egypt and Thomas Pays, CEO of OZOW, South Africa and Omosalewa Adeyemi, Expansion and Partnership at Flutterwave, USA as speakers. The members explored how Africa, the world’s least industrialised region, must enhance its manufacturing role in national investment and trade by charting a cleaner, resource-efficient pathway that boosts output without compromising environmental sustainability. The closing remarks for the first day of the summit was given by Sarah Cocker, emcee of the event.
The final day of the SuperBridge Summit 2024 is anticipated to provide an active platform to discuss future developments across various fields, including global finance, green energy, and innovation. It will feature a dynamic agenda that includes a ministerial address, panel discussions and presentations.
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