DUBAI, 22nd April, 2025 (WAM) -- 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.

Held under the theme "Leadership for Business Excellence and Innovation", the event drew senior officials, business leaders, policy-makers and academics from across the world.

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 & 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; Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, prominent Emirati businessman, as well as a distinguished gathering of board members, decision-makers, and business executives working in innovation, governance, and enterprise.

In his keynote speech, Sheikh Nahyan welcomed delegates and commended the Institute of Directors - India for fostering UAE-India ties.

He stressed the importance of credible leadership rooted in ethics, responsibility and vision, and outlined four essential leadership traits: understanding organisational culture, embracing change, acting with social responsibility and adopting a global perspective.

He added, "Leadership must be a force for innovation, knowledge creation and sustainable success. The UAE's progress is guided by visionary national leaders such as President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai."

During the ceremony, Sheikh Nahyan awarded the IOD Distinguished Fellowship 2025 to Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai, and Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, in recognition of their contributions to governance and public leadership.

The four-day convention is jointly organised by the Institute of Directors - India and Tristar Group - UAE. Over 500 senior executives and experts are discussing innovation, ESG, AI, climate action, stakeholder capitalism and geopolitical risks under the overarching theme Boards in a Rapidly Changing World: Innovative Strategies for Resilience and Sustainability.

The opening session featured keynote 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 also includes the UAE-India Investment and Cooperation Forum, hosted at the Consulate General of India in Dubai, and the Golden Peacock Awards 2025, which celebrate excellence in leadership, governance, innovation and sustainability.

The 2025 Tristar-IOD Global Convention in the UAE reaffirms the shared commitment of governments and enterprises to ethical leadership, inclusive growth and sustainable development.