AGENDA.
DAY ONE
Hotel Check-In
Delegates arrive and check into Hotel.
Registration and Networking
Location: Fairmont Ajman – CIO 200 UAE
Begin the day with registration. Enjoy casual networking
High Tea | Networking
Location: Fairmont Ajman – CIO 200 UAE
Unwind with a refreshing high tea while engaging in meaningful conversations and expanding your network in a relaxed and elegant setting
Welcome Note by Ambassadors
Aditya Kaushik | Director of ICT | Zakher Marine International
Aditya Kaushik
Welcome Note from Global CIO Forum
Anushree Dixit delivers the official welcome address,
highlighting the vision and purpose of The World CIO 200 – UAE Edition.
Get insights into the global CIO landscape and what lies ahead for tech leaders in this transformative journey.
Anushree Dixit | Chief Strategy Officer | GEC Media Group
Anushree Dixit
Think like Attackers: The Shift Beyond EDR
Gopan Sivsankaran | Sales Director, ME Enterprise | Sophos
Gopan Sivsankaran
The Ultimate LEGO® Challenge
An interactive, team-based activity designed to spark collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving.
Sandy Basil | Co-Founder | Litt
Sandy Basil
Dinner & Cocktails
Wind down with great food, drinks, and live music in an ambient setting.
DAY TWO
Booth Open & Registration | Photo Booth Networking
Welcome desk opens for attendee registration
Networking opportunities with industry peers and solution providers
Dedicated photo booth for CIOs and partners to capture memorable moments.
Opening Session:
Join renowned keynote speaker Dave Crane as he sets the tone for The World CIO 200 – UAE Edition.
Dave crane | Expert Keynote Speaker
Dave Crane
Welcome Note
CEO of GEC sets the stage with an inspiring welcome note,
highlighting key themes, industry insights, and the vision for the event.
Ronak Samantaray | CEO | GEC Media Group
Ronak Samantaray
World CIO 200 Country Ambassador Speech
Opening remarks by the event's Country Ambassador
Kenneth Lindegaard | CIO | Space42
Kenneth Lindegaard
Vendor Keynote 1: Dell Technologies
Charbel Zreiby | Regional Director, Channel Specialist, CEEMETA | Dell Technologist
Charbel Zreiby
Unleashing the Power of Invisible Infrastructure: The Secure Platform for AI, Cloud, and All Apps
Assem Al Achkar | Public Sector Manager | Nutanix
Assem Al Achkar
The Evolving Workplace – Creating Spaces that Drive Engagement and Culture
Ektaa Puthran | Director of Sales & Regional Marketing - Asia Pacific & Middle East Africa | Regional Distribution | Channel Management | Marketing | Alliance Partner Management - Meeting Experience at Barco | BARCO
Ektaa Puthran
Panel Discussion 1: “AI or Die? The CIO’s Dilemma in the Age of Autonomous Enterprise”
Moderator: Aditya Kaushik | Director of ICT | Zakher Marine International
Panelist:
Olivier Leblan | Chief Digital and Technology Officer |Ghassan Aboud Group
Hani ELKukhun | Chief Executive Officer MEA | Beyond ONE
Taskeen Khan | CIO | Mastercard Transaction Services
Farhan Ujager | AI Teacher | De Montfort University Dubai
Adnan Ghanem | Director - Security and Ai | EIS Technologies
Dr. Rami Reddy Devaram | Senior Ai and Data Scientist | Avrioc Technologies
Ashiya Noorie | Artificial Intelligence Teacher | Credence High School-Dubai
Aditya Kaushik
Olivier Leblan
Hani ELKukhun
Taskeen Khan
Farhan Ujager
Adnan Ghanem
Rami Reddy Devaram
Ashiya Noorie
Bring IT all together with SolarWinds
Abdul Rehman | Regional Sales Director | Solarwinds
Abdul Rehman
Vendor keynote 5-Pure Storage
Samer Semaan | Director Distribution and Alliances -MIddle East, Turkey and Africa | Pure Storage
Samer Semaan
CIO 200 COUNTRY AWARDS | Coffee Break
Recognizing and celebrating outstanding CIOs for their contributions to the Organization
Awards presented in 4 categories (Next-Gen | Leader | Master | Legend)
Photo for award winners
Refreshments and light snacks served
Opportunity to network with fellow CIOs and industry leaders
Sponsor showcase or tech demo (Booth Visit)
The CIO's Guide To Thought Leadership
Dave Crane | Expert Keynote Speaker
Dave Crane
Panel Discussion 2: Cloud Exit Strategy: Smart Move or Strategical Misstep?
Moderator:
Jeevan Thankappan | Managing Editor | GEC Media Group
Panelist:
Haroun Dharsey | Founder and Managing Director of Dharsi LLC
Sunando Chaudhuri | Director - IT PMO & Governance | Modon
Ankit Tiwari | Data & AI Specialist | Solutions+ (A Mubadala Company)
Satheshwaran Manoharan | Head of IT Operations and Cloud Infrastructure | Etihad Airport Services
Zaheer Shaikh | Chief Information & Security Officer | Al Maryah Community Bank LLC
Jeevan Thankappan
Dr. Haroun Dharsey
Sunando Chaudhuri
Ankit Tiwari
Satheshwaran Manoharan
Zaheer Shaikh
AI in Financial Services
Hemesh Dogiparthi | CTO | Exelixi AI
Hemesh Dogiparthi
Lunch & Networking
Enjoy a delicious meal while connecting with industry peers and exchanging insights in a relaxed setting
Panel Discussion 3: The AI Dilemma: Security, Sovereignty & Surveillance in Smart Governments
Moderator:
Dr. Hamad Khalifa Alnuaimi | Head of Telecommunication | Abu Dhabi Police GHQ
Panelist:
Fayid Kadambodan |IT Director | Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ)
Hussain Alharthi | Digital Operations Planning Director | Department of Government Enablement
Amna Al Dhaheri | Head of Digital Transformation | Ajman Transport Authority
Hessa Almatrooshi | IT Director | Ajman Free Zone (AFZ)
Marwan Al Marzooqi | IT Director | Government Entity
Dr. Hamad Khalifa Alnuaimi
Fayid Kadambodan
Hussain Alharthi
Amna Al Dhaheri
Hessa Humaid Almatrooshi
Marwan Al Marzooqi
“Empowering the Future: Data Management and Protection with Synology”
Chihhsi Hu | Account Manager for Middle East & Southern Africa | Synology Inc.
Chihhsi Hu
The Evolution of API Security in the Age of AI/ML Threats
Lakshmi Das | Co-Founder, COO, & Product Evangelist | Prophaze Technologies
Lakshmi Das
Panel Discussion 4: “Innovation at What Cost? Balancing Speed, Ethics, and Sustainability in Tech”
Moderator:
Kenneth Lindegaard | CIO | Space42
Panelist:
Anand Krishnan | Head of Information Technology | Mercury
Fouad Chahmi | Director Of Finance And Administration | Arthur D. Little
Khalid Chami | Group Chief Financial Officer | Ali & Sons Holding
Ali Abouda | Group CFO | Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC
Carlo Loveri | Head of Risk and BCM | Abu Dhabi Airports
Kenneth Lindegaard
Anand Krishnan
Fouad Chahmi
Khalid Chami
Ali Abouda
Carlo Loveri
Government Honorary Awards
A special segment recognizing outstanding government leaders and entities for their exceptional contributions to innovation, digital transformation, and public service excellence.
CIO 200 COUNTRY AWARDS
Recognizing and celebrating outstanding CIOs for their contributions to the Organization
Awards presented in 4 categories (Next-Gen | Leader | Master | Legend)
Photo for award winners
Closing By Ambassadors
Peter Gesper | Group VP - Infrastructure & Corporate Applications | DP World
Concluding remarks from the Country Ambassadors
Key takeaways and reflections from the event
Peter Gesper
