08:00 am - 09:00 am | Guests arrivals & registrations
Registration Team
GED Council Team
🌍 Our Registration Team is Ready to Welcome the World!
Get ready for a seamless experience at the GED Summit! Our dedicated registration team is excited to welcome participants from around the globe with warm hospitality, efficient service, and all the information you need to make your summit experience unforgettable. Whether you’re arriving in person or joining virtually, we’re here to support every step of your journey. Let the connections begin!
09:00 am - 09:40 am | Navigating the Future of Global Trade
Session Overview
Experts will discuss the evolving landscape of global trade, examining the economic, geopolitical, and technological forces shaping international markets and their implications for economic diversification.
Main Stage
09:45 am - 10:10 am | Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Economic Policy
Session Overview
Main Stage
Panelists will explore how nations can integrate the SDGs into their economic policies, balancing sustainability goals with economic growth, and sharing successful case studies.
10:15 am - 10:55 am | Innovation as a Catalyst for Economic Diversification
Speaker(s)​
This session will look at how innovation can drive economic diversification by opening up new markets and industries, highlighting examples from both developed and emerging economies.
Main Stage
10:55 am - 11:10 am | Coffee Break
Coffee Break​
Join us for a refreshing lunch break, where you can recharge, network, and connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed environment. Take this opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss key topics, and enjoy a variety of meal options provided on-site.
Whether you’re looking to relax or continue conversations from the sessions, this break offers the perfect time to refresh before diving back into the day’s activities.
11:10 am - 11:30 am | Fun Activity
Recreational Activity
Get ready for a unique experience full of excitement, creativity, and surprises! This activity will allow you to explore new ideas, connect with inspiring people, and create unforgettable moments while challenging yourself to think differently. Come and be part of an experience that combines learning, fun, and collaboration, all in one space. You won’t want to miss it!
11:35 am - 12:15 pm | AI & Workforce Counter-balance
Session Overview
The discussion will focus on how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and the workforce, examining both the opportunities it creates and the challenges it poses for workers and businesses alike.
Main Stage
12:20 pm - 01:00 pm | Keynote Address
Session Overview
Main Stage
A prominent speaker will present their insights on how emerging technologies and economic trends are shaping the future of global trade and business.
01:00 pm - 01:45 pm | Lunch Break
Lunch Break
Join us for a refreshing lunch break, where you can recharge, network, and connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed environment. Take this opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss key topics, and enjoy a variety of meal options provided on-site.
Whether you’re looking to relax or continue conversations from the sessions, this break offers the perfect time to refresh before diving back into the day’s activities.
01:50 pm - 02:30 pm | Identifying international economic opportunities
Session Overview
Experts will provide strategies for identifying and capitalizing on economic opportunities in international markets, especially in sectors that are poised for growth or transformation.
Speaker
Tim Callen
Main Stage
Tim Callen is Visiting Fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington D.C. and consultant to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects Division. Callen is a former Assistant Director in the Middle East and Central Asia department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He served as the IMF’s mission chief for Saudi Arabia and as the chief of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ (GCC) division from 2012-2021. He was responsible for the IMF’s engagement with the government of Saudi Arabia and for the institution’s research and publications on the country. He also led the IMF’s research program on the GCC region.
02:35 pm - 03:00 pm | Fireside Chat
Speaker(s)
Main Stage
An informal conversation between industry leaders on a relevant topic, offering personal insights and candid reflections on the future of economic policy and women’s roles in global business.
03:05 pm - 03:45 pm | The Digital Economy: Strengthening Trade Resilience in an Uncertain Global Market
Session Overview
This session will explore how digital technologies can help economies weather global uncertainty, from e-commerce and digital payments to blockchain and AI-driven supply chain management.
Speaker(s)
Dr. Renata Thiébaut
Dr. Renata Thiébaut is the COO of Green Proposition Consulting and professor at Gisma University of Applied Sciences. An expert in e-commerce, AI ethics, and digital transformation, she possesses deep expertise in the European, Asian, and North American markets. She has held senior positions in both the private and public sectors, including at renowned organizations such as Alibaba, Tencent, and the United Nations. Her professional career spans several continents and cultures. Internationally acclaimed, Dr. Thiébaut has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies.
Suresh Yadav
Suresh Yadav serves as the Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence and Transformative Technology at the Commonwealth Secretariat, bringing over 25 years of experience across the private and public sectors, as well as international organizations. His expertise spans finance, technology, and governance, with a particular passion for integrating disruptive technologies to drive development and transformation. ​
Prof. Bijan Raahemi
BIJAN RAAHEMI is a Professor of information systems and analytics and the Director of the Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining Laboratory at the University of Ottawa, Canada. His current research interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, and big data analytics, and their emerging applications in engineering, business, and healthcare. He received his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada, in 1997. Prior to joining the University of Ottawa in 2005, Dr. Raahemi was appointed as a Senior Researcher with Telecommunications Industries for 8 years focusing on computer networks architectures, data and multimedia communications and services. His research are published in over 85 peer reviewed journals and conference proceedings. Dr. Raahemi also holds eight patents in data communications. He is a Co-Editor of the Handbook of Research on Data Science for Effective Healthcare Practice and Administration. Â He was invited as a guest speaker and discussion panelist in conferences and summits including Alliance of IEEE Consultants Networks, IBM CASCON, and Microsoft Azure Business Operations. He is a registered member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
Main Stage
Dr. Renata Thiébaut
Suresh Yadav
Dr. Bijan Raahemi
03:45 pm - 04:00 pm | Break & Networking
Break & Networking
Join us for a refreshing lunch break, where you can recharge, network, and connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed environment. Take this opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss key topics, and enjoy a variety of meal options provided on-site.
Whether you’re looking to relax or continue conversations from the sessions, this break offers the perfect time to refresh before diving back into the day’s activities.
04:00 pm - 04:40 pm | The Future of Work and Economic Diversification
Session Overview
Panelists will discuss how labor markets are evolving, how economic diversification can create new jobs, and the role of training and education in preparing workers for future demands.
Speaker
Main Stage
Dr. Khwezi Mbolekwa
Joshua Opey
Dr. Khwezi Mbolekwa
Dr. Khwezi Mbolekwa is a Special Advisor in Canada, likely with expertise in organizational leadership, diversity and inclusion, and change management. While public information about him is limited, his work appears to focus on strategic organizational development and equity in corporate and governmental sectors.
Joshua Opey
Joshua Opey is an accomplished youth advocate from Ghana, recognised for his dedication to empowering youth and sustainable development. Joshua is the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), the official Youth organisation of the Commonwealth representing over 1.5 billion young people of the Commonwealth.
04:45 pm - 05:20 pm | Keynote Address
Session Overview
Another thought-leader will deliver a keynote on the intersection of technology, workforce development, and economic diversification.
Speaker
Her Excellency Fatima Braoule Meite is the Ambassador of Mali to Canada, in addition to her role as Permanent Representative of Mali with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). She graduated from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She has a master’s degree in business administration as well as a double major in sociology.
Previously, she worked in public health, where her expertise was to ensure the continuity of Maternal, Neonatal, Infant and Adolescent Health (MNIAH) services and the protection of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). She has worked as a consultant to the UN as well as for EU and Luxembourg cooperation, covering human rights, the advancement of women, decentralization, and poverty alleviation.
