The UAE edition of the World CIO 200 Summit 2026 successfully concluded at Conrad Dubai on June 11, 2026, bringing together an exceptional gathering of CIOs, CISOs, digital transformation leaders, technology innovators, and industry visionaries from across the country. Organized by Global CIO Forum and Global Enterprise Connect, the summit served as a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, leadership conversations, strategic partnerships, and recognition of excellence within the UAE’s technology community.
Held under the global theme of shaping the next decade of digital leadership, the summit explored the evolving role of CIOs in an era defined by artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, collaborative innovation, data sovereignty, and human-centric leadership.
Opening Remarks
The summit commenced with a Welcome Note from Ahmad Almulla, President, Global CIO Forum UAE, who highlighted the importance of collaborative leadership and the growing influence of technology executives in driving national and organizational transformation.
This was followed by a Welcome Note from Anushree Dixit, Chief Strategy Officer, Global Enterprise Connect, who emphasized the summit’s mission of fostering meaningful connections among technology leaders and creating a global platform for innovation and leadership.
Community Track
The first keynote session featured Dr. Mohammad Al Awadhi, Director of IT, Ministry of Health and Prevention – UAE, who delivered an inspiring address on “The Collaborative CIO.” His session explored how modern CIOs are evolving from technology custodians into strategic business collaborators who drive organizational growth through partnerships, innovation, and stakeholder alignment.
Representing the Title Partner, Pramod Kumar Ch, Chief Operating Officer, Pure Edge, presented an insightful session titled “Pure Edge: Harnessing Technology through Agentic AI Powered Collaboration of Excellence & Experience,” demonstrating how agentic AI is transforming enterprise collaboration and operational excellence.
The Community Power Panel, “From Competition to Co-Creation: Why CIO Communities Win Faster,” examined how collaborative ecosystems accelerate innovation and business outcomes.
Moderator:
- Alan Brouard, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, Velora Aviation
Panelists:
- Adam Lalani, CTO, Alliad
- Damir Jaksic, CIO and Executive Director Digital Advisory Services, KEO International Consultants
- Rini Laskar, Former Head of Transformation and Governance, RAK Bank
- Peter Gesper, Group Vice President – IT Infrastructure & Corporate Applications, DP World
- Muhammad Affan Habib, Director of Information Technology, Sharjah Maritime Academy
The discussion highlighted the growing value of CIO communities, shared innovation platforms, strategic partnerships, and collective problem-solving in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Knowledge Track
The Knowledge segment featured a compelling keynote by Farid Farouq, SVP IT, DWTC, titled “AI, Data Sovereignty & The Next Knowledge Economy – Every Revolution Begins with Doubt: How CIOs Can Lead Through the Age of AI.” The session explored the balance between innovation, governance, trust, and responsible AI adoption.
A presentation from Gold Partner FDC International was delivered by Chris Veldad, Senior Presales and Marketing Manager, FDC International, on “From Edge to AI: Rethink the Frontiers of Data,” showcasing the future of intelligent data ecosystems.
One of the summit’s most anticipated discussions, “AI in 2030 and Beyond: How Will AI Evolve to Live Up to the Expectations from Periphery to Epicenter,” brought together leading AI experts and technology strategists.
Moderator:
- Ali El Kontar, Founder and CEO, Zero&One
Panelists:
- Keyur Joshi, Regional Director, Bull
- Andrey Mukhortov, CIO & Digital Transformation Advisor, AM Advisory
- Bravine Otieno, DSV
The panel explored the future trajectory of AI, enterprise adoption challenges, governance frameworks, and emerging opportunities expected to reshape industries over the next decade.
Health & Cyber Resilience Track
Powered by Rapid7, the cyber resilience panel focused on the evolving responsibilities of security leaders in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Session: The New Resilience Mandate for CISOs
Moderator:
- Gopan Sivasankaran, Regional Director – Middle East and Africa, Rapid7
Panelists:
- Vishal Vaghela, CISO, CISO Retail
- Jinson Pappachan, Head of Information Security & Enterprise ICT, Emirates Policy Center
- Fahad Deshmukh, Director of IT, Azizi Developments
- Sameer Pathak, Senior Executive, Abu Dhabi Government
The discussion centered on mental resilience, leadership under pressure, cybersecurity preparedness, decision fatigue, and building adaptive organizations capable of responding to continuous disruption.
Partner Presentations
The summit also featured several impactful technology sessions from strategic partners.
Samsung, Registration Partner, was represented by Ilkhom Akramov, Head of Enterprise Solutions, who presented “Galaxy AI in the Workplace,” demonstrating how AI-powered mobility solutions are enhancing enterprise productivity.
Mansoor Ali Khan, Chief Technology Officer, Robo.AI, delivered a session highlighting emerging AI innovations and intelligent automation opportunities.
Krishnakumar, VP – Business Development, Prophaze, presented “Securing Cloud Native Enterprise,” sharing insights into modern cloud security strategies.
CIO 200 Recognition & Felicitation Ceremony
A major highlight of the summit was the prestigious CIO 200 Recognition & Felicitation Ceremony, honoring the country’s most accomplished technology leaders for their contributions to digital transformation, innovation, cybersecurity, governance, and enterprise technology leadership.
CIO 200 Honorees – UAE 2026
- Dr. Walid Salem – Zurich Insurance Company
- Khoshrou Khodarahm – CBE and BGR
- Lusaka Bhattacharyya – ADJC
- Ibrahim Adefila – Al Rostamani Group
- Dr. Deepak Cheraparambil – Trivitta Healthcare
- Noman Ejaz – Tatweer Middle East and Africa LLC
- Ali Akhtar – Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation
- Mohammed Rizwan Razeek – Abdulla Aldah Group
- Sheridan Moodley – Ghassan Aboud Holding
- Billel Ammour – Union Coop
- Amna Saleh Al Dhaheri – Transport Authority Ajman
- Kiran Shinde – Al Hamra Group
- Elyes El Air – WSP Middle East
- Dr. Mohammed Salem Matar Alshamsi – Emirates Health Services
- Muhamed Noufel – Royal Continental Hotels & Suites
- Jiju GS – SS Lootah Group
- Bejesh Pereira – Scope Group
- Manish Agarwal – MH Enterprises LLC
- Peter Gesper – DP World
- Ajmal Ali – Bukhatir Group
- Ahmed Al Madani – Horizon Terminals Ltd
- Amjed Joudeh – SDTPS
- Dr. Shijin Prasad – Elyzee Healthcare Group
- Daryanand Shetty – Dubai Harbour Marinas
- Fahad Deshmukh – Azizi Developments
- Eyad Kashkash – Daman Markets Financial Services
- Kevin Neogy – The Kanoo Group
- Syed Ashar Ahmed – Bloom Holding
- Mubarik Hussain – Deyaar Development PJSC
- Anand Krishnan – Unitey Business Services
- Muhammad Tariq Siddiqui – Abu Dhabi National Takaful
- Gigi Thomas – Ittihad International Investment
- Dr. Mohamad Abu Ghazaleh – Bayari Group
- Jayaraj Perumalsamy – Barakat Group
- Kenneth Lindegaard – Space42
- Abdalla Al Ali – DMCC
- Muhammad Affan Habib – Sharjah Maritime Academy
- Alan Brouard – Velora Aviation
- Mario Foster – Al Ghurair Group
- Samit Tibrewala – Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company
- Tamara Nasr – AMSI
- Jinson Pappachan – Emirates Policy Center
- Riasat Ali – Abu Dhabi Government Entity
- Mohammad Shahzad – Saif Al Ghurair Real Estate Group
- Ali AlNuaimi – du
- Arshad Javed – Arenco
- Jana Charif – ADNH Catering
- Padmanabhan Nurani – Higher Colleges of Technology
- Manish Bindra – Galadari Brothers
- Chenthil Agasthian – Red Sea International
- Zaheer Kadir Kazi – Ministry of Interior
- Aslam Kherawala – Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group
- Lenish Kannan – Western International Group (Nesto/Geepas)
- Arun Kumar Mohta – FJ Group
- Adam Docrat – Chemist Warehouse UAE
- Noaman Saleem Ul Hasan – Khalifa University
- Ahmed Nabil Mahmoud – Leading International Bank
Acknowledging Our Partners
The success of the World CIO 200 Summit UAE 2026 was made possible through the invaluable support of our partners.
Title Partner
- Pure Edge
Registration Partner
- Samsung
Majlis Partners
- Bull
- Synology
Gold Partners
- Ingram Micro
- Orbus
- Turgon
- Zero&One
- Prophaze
- LMNTRIX
- ManageEngine
- Teksalah
- Finesse
- ZingHR
- Rapid7
- DigitAG
- Neurovia AI
- Upwind
- Microsec
- Securenet
- Emudhra
- Tayef
- Silverse
- Tenable
Supporting Partners
- Elitser
- ITHR
- Cato Networks
- Ermetix
- The Doctors Hub
- ThreatLocker
Closing Note
The summit concluded with a Closing Note by Aditya Kaushik, Country Ambassador, Global CIO Forum UAE, who thanked the speakers, partners, delegates, and award winners for contributing to another successful edition of the World CIO 200 Summit.
As the World CIO 200 Summit continues its global journey, the UAE edition once again demonstrated why the country remains at the forefront of digital innovation, leadership, and technological transformation. The conversations, collaborations, and connections established during the summit will continue to inspire CIOs and technology leaders as they shape the future of enterprise technology and digital leadership.
