First Lady Jill Biden, Business Leaders and Experts in Finance, Health, and Philanthropy Join Global Policymakers to Address Pressing Regional and World Issues at the Milken Institute 2024 Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi

The dynamic program and speaker lineup highlight our focus of convening changemakers with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and insights, committed to solving our greatest collective challenges.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Milken Institute 2024 Middle East and Africa (MEA) Summit, running December 5 and 6, will convene hundreds of influential business and philanthropic leaders, health and finance experts, and policy changemakers from around the world to discuss, explore and catalyze ideas to guide solutions to many of today’s global issues. Centered around the theme “Investing in a Shared Future,” in-person and virtual observers of the two-day event at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, will hear from distinguished luminaries such as Edward Norton, Actor and UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity, United Nations; Geetha Tharmaratnam, Chief Impact Investment Officer, WHO Foundation and First Lady Jill Biden, who will join the event for a fireside conversation on women’s health research.

At more than 40 sessions, speakers will share unique and diverse insights on a wide range of regional and global hot-button topics, such as technological innovation, geopolitical challenges, public health crises, climate change, and burgeoning economic opportunities, and so much more.

"As we navigate a world grappling with unprecedented challenges, it's clear that innovative solutions, informed policy, and strategic investment are crucial," said Laura Deal Lacey, EVP, Milken Institute International. "To effectively address these complexities, we must foster collaboration across borders, industries, and communities. The decisions we make today will profoundly shape the environmental, economic, and social landscapes of tomorrow."

A robust lineup of summit panels offers a wide range of diverse topics, including: Global Overview: Navigating a Changing Global Economy; Empowering Future Innovators: The Convergence of Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship; Global Investment Outlook: Investing in a Shared Future; AI: A Multiplier or Divider; Investing in the Energy Transition: Critical Minerals, Climate Tech, and Policy Shifts; Building Smart Health Ecosystems: Shaping the Future of Health Care; and more.

In addition to insightful discussions, attendees will have the chance to connect with industry peers, potential investors, and government representatives, creating opportunities for collaboration and growth. More than 150 leaders in government, entertainment, philanthropy, and the investment community will lend their expertise, including: Arthur Brooks, Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership, the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice, the Harvard Business School; Christian Horner, CEO of Red Bull Racing in Formula One; Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company; Elie Saab Jr., fashion content creator and CEO of Ellie Saab; Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO, Altérra; and so many more.

New to the Middle East and Africa Summit this year, the Milken Institute is partnering with technology accelerator HUB71 to select three companies to pitch their business model to a panel of experts who could potentially become investors or advisors or provide insights to support in scaling HUB71 businesses internationally. The event, dubbed Falcon Peak, will provide invaluable exposure for participants while also positioning the Milken Institute and HUB71 as key drivers of innovation in Abu Dhabi’s rapidly evolving business and entrepreneurial landscape.

The Milken Institute has a long-standing commitment to advancing solutions to global issues, and the MEA Summit is a testament to that commitment. By convening stakeholders from across sectors and fostering collaboration, the summit aims to create a lasting impact on the region's economic growth and development.

Companies and organizations participating in the summit include Dubai Holdings, Eldridge Industries, Goldman Sachs, Guggenheim, Lakestar, LVMH, Maaden, Mubadala Investment Company, Naspers, and Tadawul.

The Milken Institute will livestream the Middle East and Africa Summit public sessions, expanding access to the event. Review the conference agenda and watch the public sessions here.

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About the Milken Institute

The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next. For more information, visit www.milkeninstitute.org.