DMCC FUTURE OF TRADE

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi is the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Foreign Trade. He is responsible for leading the development of the non-oil foreign trade, including the expansion of global trade partnerships, the increase of national exports, and the consolidation of the UAE’s status as an international trade hub. 

H.E. Al Zeyoudi leads the UAE’s efforts to secure Comprehensive Economic Partnerships Agreements (CEPAs) with strategic allies around the world, a program that supports the UAE’s ambitions to boost non-oil trade to AED4 trillion by 2031. Serving as Chair of the Higher Committee of the CEPA Negotiations, he has overseen the conclusion of more than 30 bilateral trade deals, beginning with the UAE-India CEPA in May 2022, the first ever bilateral trade deal signed by the UAE.

Driven by the new opportunities created by the CEPA program, the United Arab Emirates has set new non-oil foreign trade milestones in each of the last four years, achieving its target six years ahead of schedule.

H.E. Al Zeyoudi’s leadership on global trade facilitation was recognized in February 2024 when he Chaired 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Abu Dhabi, during which he was instrumental in ensuring the successful delivery of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, a package of agreements that advanced the cause of open, rules-based trade.

In his role as Minister of Foreign Trade, H.E. Al Zeyoudi works to promote the UAE’s position as a prime destination for business and investment at regional and global levels. He currently serves as Chair of the UAE International Investor Council and, in 2022, launched the NextGen FDI program, which has attracted a multitude of cutting-edge companies to the UAE and helped accelerate the UAE’s economic diversification agenda. In 2024, the UAE welcomed US$45.6 billion in FDI, which ranked 10th in the world. 

In parallel, His Excellency is Minister in Charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, in which he ensures the best global talents have the pathways, incentives and opportunities to contribute to the UAE’s long-term economic objectives. He also serves as Vice Chairman of Etihad Credit Insurance’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and of the National Competitiveness Committee. 

Prior to his appointment as Minister of Foreign Trade in June 2025, H.E. Dr Thani held the position of Minister of State for Foreign Trade (2020-2025) and, before that, served as the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, a role he held between (2016-2020). His Excellency also served as the Director of the Department of Energy and Climate Change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was appointed as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as extraordinary Ambassador.

His contribution to the UAE’s climate agenda is maintained through his role on the Supreme Committee for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), the decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and as a Member of the Jury of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. Other notable roles include serving as the Chairman of Board of The Emirates Drug Establishment.

His Excellency’s career began as a Petroleum Engineer at Abu Dhabi Offshore Company (ADMA). He then moved to Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), where he led the development of renewable energy technologies and solutions and, in 2009, played a key role in the UAE's successful diplomatic campaign to host the headquarters of IRENA in Abu Dhabi.

He was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2020 and received the award for Excellence from the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in 2015.

H.E. Al Zeyoudi holds a BASc in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Tulsa, an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology, an MA in Project Management from the British University in Dubai, and a PhD in Strategy, Program and Project Management from Skema Business School in France.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem

Ahmed Bin Sulayem is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC and has driven its growth from a start-up of 28 member companies in 2003 to the world’s leading international business district in 2025 with over 26,000 member companies from 180 countries, employing over 80,000 people.

Tasked with enhancing commodity trade flows through Dubai, DMCC has introduced to the market a number of value-added products and services under Mr Bin Sulayem’s leadership. In 2023, DMCC was named ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’ by The Financial Times fDi Magazine, for a record ninth consecutive year.

Mr Bin Sulayem oversaw the exponential growth of the DMCC Free Zone master development in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), a 200-hectare business and residential community in Dubai of over 100,000 people living and working in 87 towers. Mr Bin Sulayem also oversees the development of DMCC’s latest real estate project, the Uptown Dubai district.

Mr Bin Sulayem currently serves as the Chairman the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) and the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX).

The Kimberley Process officially appointed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the first and only Arab country to Chair the Kimberley Process (KP) in November 2015. Shortly after, the UAE Ministry of Economy officially appointed Mr Bin Sulayem as the UAE’s Chair of the KP for 2016. Mr Bin Sulayem was reappointed Chair of the KP for a historic second time in 2024, and has continued his leadership role with the position of Custodian Chair in 2025.

Feryal Ahmadi

Feryal Ahmadi serves as the Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of DMCC, playing a pivotal role in cementing its status as the world’s leading authority on international commodities trade and enterprise.

With two decades’ experience, Feryal oversees DMCC’s long-term strategic growth, driving corporate governance excellence and fostering initiatives that amplify global trade flows through Dubai. She has been instrumental in shaping and managing the development of DMCC’s flagship Uptown Dubai and Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) business districts, as well as spearheading the innovative DMCC Smart and Sustainable District Strategy.

As an official DMCC spokesperson, Feryal represents DMCC on global platforms, engaging with local and international media to elevate the organisation’s profile and champion Dubai’s thought leadership credentials on the world stage. Her influence has earned her repeated recognition in Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen, and she was named one of Arabian Business’s Top 100 Most Inspiring Women in 2025.

As a vocal advocate for sustainability, inclusivity, and women in leadership, Feryal is a member of the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) committee, established by UN Global Compact and UN Women. She leads DMCC’s comprehensive sustainability programmes and actively contributes to a number of semi-governmental boards across the UAE.

Feryal holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the American University of Sharjah and an Executive MBA from Harvard University.

Michael Lawrence

Michael Lawrence leads the Asia House team in delivering business and market intelligence to some of the world’s biggest companies and governments in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Michael was appointed Chief Executive in September 2012 after a distinguished career as a journalist, editor and executive in international media. He has developed Asia House into the premier UK-based institution on Asia and the Middle East, chairing high-level dialogues between senior political figures and multinational businesses.

Michael is in regular conversations with global leaders in foreign affairs, finance, trade, technology and national development, and can offer valuable perspectives on how to navigate the intersection between economic, security and political issues.

Prior to joining Asia House, Michael spent 18 years at Reuters (later Thomson Reuters), the international news and financial information organisation, where he held several senior positions including Global Editor (2006-2012). In his roles at Reuters, Michael was on the frontline of all major international news events as they evolved over more than 30 years.

Michael was awarded an OBE in the King’s 2023 New Year Honours list for his services to international relations between the UK and Asia.