08:00 am - 09:00 am | Guests arrivals & registrations

Guest Arrivals & Registration

We’re excited to welcome you to the Global Economic Diversification (GED) Summit, taking place May 14–15, 2026. From the moment you arrive, our team is committed to making your Summit experience seamless, welcoming, and impactful.

All delegates and invited guests are kindly asked to check in at the Registration Desk upon arrival to collect their summit badge, welcome kit, and access credentials. Our on-site guest services team will be available throughout the event to assist with directions, session access, networking spaces, and any logistical support you may need.

Arrive early to ensure a smooth check-in, connect with fellow participants, and get ready for two days of high-level dialogue, powerful connections, and global opportunity.

Financing the Future: Rethinking Economic Development Policy

Overview:
In an era of shifting trade dynamics, inflationary pressures, and evolving global priorities, “Financing the Future: Rethinking Economic Development Policy” explores how governments, financial institutions, and private investors can reshape funding models to accelerate inclusive, sustainable growth. The discussion centers on innovative fiscal tools, green and digital investment strategies, and public-private partnerships that can help regions—particularly the Prairies—adapt to post-tariff economic realities and emerging global markets.

The presenter will examine how forward-thinking policy can enable equitable access to capital for SMEs, women, and youth entrepreneurs while fostering innovation in critical sectors such as clean energy, agri-tech, and advanced manufacturing. By aligning investment frameworks with long-term diversification goals, this session aims to inspire a new vision for financing regional prosperity and resilience.

Key Takeaways

  1. Innovative Finance Models: Learn how blended finance, public-private partnerships, and impact investing can drive inclusive and sustainable development.

  2. Policy for Resilience: Understand the role of adaptive fiscal and regulatory policies in supporting economic diversification and reducing regional disparities.

  3. Empowering Entrepreneurs: Explore how targeted funding programs can enhance access to capital for underrepresented groups and accelerate job creation in emerging industries.

John Perrott

Executive Director
Economic Developers Association of Canada

Inclusive Investment: Unlocking Opportunities for SMEs, Women, and Youth

Overview:
This panel explores how inclusive investment strategies can expand access to capital for SMEs, women-led enterprises, and youth entrepreneurs—groups that are often underrepresented in traditional financing systems. Panelists will discuss practical mechanisms to mobilize public and private capital, de-risk early-stage ventures, and design investment pipelines that improve investment readiness, commercialization, and market access. The session will highlight policy enablers, blended finance models, and the role of investors, development agencies, and ecosystem partners in building equitable, scalable pathways to growth and job creation.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Access to Capital: Practical models (blended finance, guarantees, catalytic capital) to close financing gaps for SMEs, women, and youth.

  2. Investment Readiness: What founders need to become bankable—governance, financials, traction, and market validation.

  3. Ecosystem Enablement: How governments, investors, and intermediaries can co-create inclusive pipelines that translate capital into jobs and revenue growth.

 

Layne Robinson

Former Head of Social Policy
Commonwealth Secretariat

Laura Kinghorn

Vice President of Partnerships
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

Hon. George O. Addo, Esq.

Minister
Ministry for Youth Dev't & Empowerment

Princess Arthur

Youth Policy Advocate
ABJ School

The Role of Women in Shaping Future-Ready Economies

 

Overview:
Gender-Smart Diversification: The Role of Women in Shaping Future-Ready Economies explores how women’s economic leadership and entrepreneurship are central to building diversified, resilient, and competitive economies. This panel brings together women leaders from government, business, finance, and development institutions to examine gender-smart policies, investment approaches, and market-access strategies that enable women-led enterprises to scale and contribute meaningfully to economic diversification. The discussion will highlight practical pathways for integrating women into innovation, trade, and investment ecosystems while addressing structural barriers that limit participation.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

  1. Gender-Smart Policies Drive Economic Resilience: Economies that integrate women into investment, trade, and innovation frameworks are better positioned for sustainable diversification.

  2. Access to Capital and Markets Is Critical: Expanding financing and global market opportunities for women-led enterprises unlocks growth and job creation.

  3. Women’s Leadership Shapes Future Economies: Inclusive decision-making and leadership representation strengthen long-term competitiveness and economic stability.

Michelle Toner

CEO
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)

Barbara E. McKenzie

CEO
Global Chambers Alberta

Amy Oshanyk

Board Member
Economic Development Alberta

Dr. Christabel Derby

Youth Diplomat & Lawyer
Ghana High Commission

Coffee Break & Networking

Take a moment to recharge and connect during our Coffee Break—a relaxed networking pause designed to spark meaningful conversations and new connections. Enjoy a curated selection of freshly brewed coffees, teas, juices, and light refreshments, with a variety of options to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.

This informal break provides the perfect setting to continue conversations from the sessions, meet potential partners and investors, and build relationships that extend beyond the Summit. Whether you’re grabbing a quick refreshment or settling into a conversation, the Coffee Break is designed to help you refuel, reconnect, and return energized for the next round of high-impact discussions.

Navigating the Future of Global Trade: Innovation, Biotech Ecosystems, & Resilience

 

Overview:

 

As geopolitical shifts, supply chain disruptions, biotechnology advancements, and emerging technologies continue to redefine global commerce, the future of trade demands adaptability, innovation, and strong ecosystem building. This panel will explore how countries, regions, and businesses can modernize trade frameworks, strengthen biotech and innovation ecosystems, leverage digital tools, and build strategic partnerships to ensure fair, sustainable, and diversified trade growth.

 

Particular focus will be placed on the growing role of biotechnology, life sciences, health innovation, and knowledge economies as major drivers of trade competitiveness and economic diversification. Panelists will examine how regions can position themselves as innovation hubs by fostering collaboration between governments, research institutions, investors, SMEs, and industry leaders.

Key Takeaways:

 

Trade Resilience & Innovation

Understand how digital transformation, biotech innovation, and policy reform can help build more resilient, technology-driven trade ecosystems and future-ready industries.

Biotech & Ecosystem Building

Explore how strong innovation ecosystems—linking research, investment, talent, and commercialization—can position regions as global leaders in biotech, life sciences, and advanced industries.

Inclusive & Sustainable Globalization

Learn how equitable trade practices, sustainable supply chains, and strategic partnerships can empower women, youth, SMEs, and underrepresented communities to participate meaningfully in global markets.

The discussion will also highlight how smart trade policies, resilient supply chains, and inclusive market access can mitigate risks, promote equity, and enhance global competitiveness in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Dr. Terry Rock

SVP, Operations & COO
Alberta Innovates

Shauna Feth

President & CEO
Alberta Chamber of Commerce

Susan Baka

President
Bay Communications & Marketing Inc.

Dr. Shindale Seale

CEO
Seade Coaching and Consulting

The AI Imperative: Building Resilient, Inclusive Economies for the Future

Session Overview:

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes industries, labor markets, and economic systems worldwide, “The AI Imperative” explores how societies can proactively harness AI technologies to build economies that are not only innovative and resilient but also inclusive and equitable. This session foregrounds AI as an economic priority — emphasizing opportunities and challenges in governance, workforce development, SME competitiveness, and equitable access to AI-driven growth.

Delegates will examine AI’s transformative potential to advance sustainable economic diversification while identifying strategies to ensure that digital transformation benefits all segments of society — including women, youth, small enterprises, and underserved communities.

Key takeaways:

  1. AI must be deployed as a tool for inclusive growth, not just productivity.
    AI-driven transformation should intentionally expand access to opportunity for women, youth, SMEs, and underserved communities—closing digital and economic gaps rather than widening them.

  2. Responsible AI governance is essential to sustainable economic resilience.
    Clear, fair, and transparent policy frameworks are needed to balance innovation with workforce protection, ethical use, and public trust, ensuring AI strengthens—not destabilizes—economic systems.

  3. Building AI-ready economies requires investment in people, not just technology.
    Long-term competitiveness depends on digital literacy, reskilling, and SME enablement so businesses and workers can effectively adopt AI and contribute to diversified, future-ready economies.

Alok Singh

Senior Information Officer

Betania Allo

Head of TMT, RegTech & Privacy

John Perrott

Executive Director

Donnovan Simon

Board Member

Investing in Resilience: Financing Models for Cleantech and Health Innovation

Panel Overview:
This cross-sector panel focuses on capital formation for cleantech and health innovation, including venture capital, project finance, public-private partnerships, and impact investing. Panelists will unpack what investors look for, how to de-risk early-stage ventures, and how governments and development agencies can crowd in private capital.

Key Takeaways:

  1. What investors expect in bankability, risk mitigation, and scalability.
  2. How to blend public capital with private investment to unlock growth.
  3. Tools for SMEs to become investment-ready in capital-intensive sectors.

Justice Barima Y. K. Oppong

Justice of the Court
Court of Appeal Republic of Ghana

Shane Jaffer

Director of Global Partnerships
Invest Alberta Canada

Matthew Grocoff

Regenerative Developer
2026 Living Future Hero, USA

Sadiqa Siddique

Founder & COOr
BioBridge Global Ltd, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Kwame Adinkra

Broadcaster/Moderator
Angel Media Group, Ghana

GED Lunch Break

Enjoy a thoughtfully curated Lunch Break designed to refresh, reconnect, and recharge in the midst of a high-impact Summit experience. Participants will have access to a variety of nutritious meal options, including vegetarian, halal, and other dietary-friendly selections, ensuring everyone can enjoy a comfortable and inclusive dining experience.

Beyond nourishment, the Lunch Break offers a dedicated moment to network with fellow delegates, speakers, policymakers, investors, and partners in a relaxed setting. It’s an ideal time to continue conversations sparked during the morning sessions, explore collaboration opportunities, and build meaningful relationships that extend beyond the Summit—so you can return to the afternoon program energized and ready to engage.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Announcement Global Economic Diversification Council (GED Council) & National Youth Authority (NYA), Ghana

The Global Economic Diversification Council (GED Council) has signed a three-year renewable Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Youth Authority (NYA) of Ghana, marking a key milestone in advancing youth empowerment and global economic collaboration.

 

This strategic partnership will support youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and skills development while creating pathways for Ghanaian youth to access global markets, investment opportunities, and international platforms such as the GED Summit.

 

The MoU reflects a shared commitment to building inclusive, diversified economies by positioning young people as drivers of sustainable growth.

Osman Abdulai Ayariga

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Hilda Fankah-Arthur

President/Founder

Fireside Chat Overview
Join FIFA World Cup icon and entrepreneur Asamoah Gyan for an inspiring fireside chat on how sports can serve as a powerful engine for economic diversification. Moving beyond athletic performance, this conversation will explore the growing role of sports investment in entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, youth employment, tourism, media rights, and global brand building. Drawing from Asamoah Gyan’s journey as both an elite athlete and business leader, the session will highlight how sports ecosystems can unlock new revenue streams, attract private capital, and create scalable opportunities for communities and emerging markets. Connected to the GED Summit’s mission, this discussion positions sports as a strategic sector for inclusive growth, investment attraction, and cross-border economic opportunity.


Expected Outcomes

  • Sports as an Economic Sector: Understand how investments in sports infrastructure, talent development, media, and entrepreneurship can diversify regional economies and create jobs.
  • Youth Entrepreneurship & Opportunity Creation: Explore how sports platforms can empower youth through business ventures, leadership development, and innovation pathways beyond the field.
  • Global Investment Connectivity: Gain insights into how sports brands and international partnerships can attract capital, tourism, and cross-border business opportunities.

Asamoah Gyan

FIFA Soccer Star & CEO
Babyjet Group of Companies

Fireside Chat Overview: The Role of Cities in Shaping Future-Ready Economies

Overview:

This exclusive 30-minute Fireside Chat will feature a dynamic, moderated conversation exploring the critical role cities play in building inclusive, resilient, and future-ready economies. As engines of innovation, investment, and community development, cities are uniquely positioned to drive economic transformation and create opportunities that benefit all residents.

With leadership at the municipal level becoming increasingly central to global competitiveness, this session will highlight how forward-thinking city strategies can attract investment, foster inclusive growth, and strengthen local ecosystems. The discussion will provide valuable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders on how cities can adapt to evolving economic realities while ensuring no one is left behind.

Key Takeaways:

 

1. Cities as Catalysts for Growth: How municipal leadership can drive investment attraction, innovation, and long-term economic resilience.

2. Inclusive Economic Development: Practical approaches to ensuring growth benefits diverse communities, including youth, entrepreneurs, and underserved groups.

3. Building Future-Ready Communities: Strategies for strengthening local ecosystems, infrastructure, and partnerships to support sustainable and competitive cities.

His Worship Andrew Knack

Mayor
City of Edmonton
Canada

Patrick Arthur

Exec. Director
GED Council

Closing Remarks

The Closing Remarks will bring the Global Economic Diversification Summit 2026 to a powerful conclusion by reflecting on the key insights, partnerships, and opportunities created throughout the event. This final session will highlight the importance of moving from dialogue to action—turning conversations on investment, trade, innovation, and inclusive growth into measurable outcomes.

Attendees will be reminded that economic diversification is not simply a policy discussion, but a shared responsibility that requires collaboration, bold leadership, and long-term commitment. The session will recognize the valuable contributions of speakers, partners, exhibitors, sponsors, and participants whose engagement has shaped the success of the Summit.

More importantly, the Closing Remarks will serve as a call to action—encouraging all stakeholders to continue building strategic partnerships, advancing innovation, and driving resilient, future-ready economies beyond the Summit.