2025APCS Speakers

Urban visionaries @2025APCS

H.E. Reem Al Hashimy

H.E. Reem Al Hashimy

UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, CEO

Expo City Dubai Authority

H.E. Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti

H.E. Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti

Secretary General

The Executive Council, UAE

H.E. Dawood Al Shezawi

H.E. Dawood Al Shezawi

President

Annual Investment Meeting (AIM)

H.E. Dr. Nawal Al Hosany

H.E. Dr. Nawal Al Hosany

Permanent Representative of the UAE

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

H.E. Bruno Araújo

H.E. Bruno Araújo

Co-Chairman

Lide Emirates and Former Minister of Cities, Brazil

Adrian Schrinner

Adrian Schrinner

Lord Mayor of Brisbane

Australia

H.E. Bryony Hilless

H.E. Bryony Hilless

Consul-General Dubai and the Northern Emirates and GM Middle East, Africa and Pakistan

Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)

Dr. Anas Al Mughairy

Dr. Anas Al Mughairy

Director General

Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI)

Mahir Julfar

Mahir Julfar

Executive Vice President

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)

Nasra Nanda

Nasra Nanda

CEO

Kenya Green Building Society

Gurjit Singh

Gurjit Singh

Chief Development Officer

Aldar Properties

Bakulesh Kanakia

Bakulesh Kanakia

Chief Development Officer

Emicool

Dr. Adib El Moubadder

Dr. Adib El Moubadder

Chief Executive Officer

Emicool

Mannat Jaspal

Mannat Jaspal

Director & Fellow, Climate and Energy

Observer Research Foundation Middle East

Farah Naz

Farah Naz

Director Climate and Sustainability Advisory

AECOM Middle East Africa

Naim Maadad

Naim Maadad

Chairman

Australian Business Council Dubai

Asier Abaunza Robles

Asier Abaunza Robles

Councillor Delegate for Urban Planning, Strategic Projects and Public Space

Bilbao City Council

André Sobczak

André Sobczak

Secretary General

Eurocities

Nicole Andronicus

Nicole Andronicus

General Manager 2032 Host City, Global Relations & Economic Partnerships

Brisbane City Council

Caroline Bos

Caroline Bos

Co-founder and Principal Urban Planner

UNStudio

Maha Gorton

Maha Gorton

Head of Women's Pavilion

Expo City Dubai

Marjan Faraidooni

Marjan Faraidooni

Chief HR Officer and Chief of Education and Culture

Expo City Dubai

Nadia Verjee

Nadia Verjee

Executive Director, Global Initiative and Advisory Services

Expo City Dubai

Misha Mittal

Misha Mittal

Senior Advisory, City Advisory

Expo City Dubai

Scott Smith

Scott Smith

CEO

Council of Mayors (South East Queensland)

Mark Cooper

Mark Cooper

Senior Director, Thought Leadership, Asia Pacific

Urban Land Institute

Gertrude Rose Gamwera Buyinga

Gertrude Rose Gamwera Buyinga

Secretary General

East African County and Local Governments Association (EACLGA)

Eric Huybrechts

Eric Huybrechts

Head of International Affairs

Institut Paris Region

Sheena Khan

Sheena Khan

Head of Environmental Programs for Terra

Expo City Dubai

Tamreez Inam

Tamreez Inam

Head of Programme, APCS 2025, Expo City Dubai Global Initiatives & Advisory

Expo City Dubai

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham

Founder and CEO

RME Media

Call for speakers

Our call for speakers is now open. We welcome expressions of interest from urban visionaries, leading innovators and changemakers, and world- class speakers who are passionate about sharing expert insights which will advance urban development across the Asia Pacific and MEASA regions and beyond. This is your opportunity to shape the global agenda on cities.

Speak at 2025APCS

Shape the global agenda on cities and urban development at 2025APCS
Register your interest

Responding to our call for speakers

What we are looking for:

  • Expert insights on fostering sustainable urban development, enhancing quality of life and promoting resilience in cities and communities

  • Groundbreaking ideas, innovations and city solutions with the potential to improve urban living around the world

  • Fresh perspectives that unlock new opportunities for social, economic and environmental transformation in cities and urban contexts

To submit an expression of interest

  • Prepare a speaker pitch of not more than 500 words outlining your topic of choice and a case for the topic. Please ensure that your topic aligns with the theme, sub-themes of 2025APCS and lines of enquiry (see below)

  • Share a personal bio of not more than 500 words that includes your personal and professional background

  • You will also be required to provide your contact information and references to previous panel sessions in which you have participated

Please study our programme lines of enquiry below before submitting your expressions of interest

All submissions will be assessed by the 2025APCS programming team panel, and shortlisted individuals may be contacted to provide further information.

Theme and subthemes

Collaborate. Inspire. Transform.

Centres of Connection

The pivotal role of transportation networks, digital infrastructure and community spaces in driving economic opportunity and bridging geographic and demographic divides in cities

Centres of Solutions

How urban innovation can drive transformative change through scalable and adaptable solutions that balance technological advancement with community empowerment

Centres of Resilience

Fortifying cities against climate impacts, natural
disasters and economic instability, and creating urban environments that empower communities to thrive in the face of change

The 2025APCS programme: tracks and topics

Our tracks and topics lines of enquiry for the 2025APCS programme are not restrictive. We look forward to welcoming additional lines of enquiries that address our subthemes and will advance our objectives around shaping the future of cities