Dubai: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, today inaugurated the 12th Institute of Directors Global Convention at Al Habtoor Palace in Dubai. The event, themed 'Leadership for Business Excellence and Innovation', attracted senior officials, business leaders, policy-makers, and academics from around the globe.
According to Emirates News Agency, the opening ceremony was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai; Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security; Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the UAE; Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary at the UAE Ministry of Economy; and Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, among others.
In his keynote speech, Sheikh Nahyan welcomed delegates and praised the Institute of Directors - India for enhancing UAE-India relations. He emphasized the importance of leadership based on ethics, responsibility, and vision, highlighting four key traits: understanding organisational culture, embracing change, acting with social responsibility, and adopting a global perspective. He remarked that leadership should drive innovation, knowledge creation, and sustainable success, guided by the UAE's national leaders.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Nahyan awarded the IOD Distinguished Fellowship 2025 to Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri and Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh for their contributions to governance and public leadership. The four-day convention is co-organised by the Institute of Directors - India and Tristar Group - UAE, with over 500 senior executives and experts discussing themes such as innovation, ESG, AI, climate action, stakeholder capitalism, and geopolitical risks.
The opening session featured remarks by Surinder Nath, President of IOD India; Nehal Vora, CEO of Central Depository Services Ltd; Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India; Eugene Mayne, CEO of Tristar Group; Ritu Raj Awasthi, Vice Chairman of IOD; and Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE. The agenda includes the UAE-India Investment and Cooperation Forum and the Golden Peacock Awards 2025, celebrating excellence in leadership, governance, innovation, and sustainability.
The 2025 Tristar-IOD Global Convention in the UAE underscores the shared commitment to ethical leadership, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.