Agenda

Tony Poulos has a background of over 25 years in software development and systems integration in travel and telecommunications and 15 years in journalism. 

Tony is a regular speaker, moderator and chairman at telecoms and finance conferences worldwide, including plenary sessions at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and Shanghai, ITU Telecoms World and CommunicAsia. He has been a Contributing Analyst for IDC, writes freelance for a number of industry publications and has recorded numerous video interviews and podcasts. 

He has consulted a number of companies on market strategy, including industry body, TM Forum, WeDo Technologies and SKORR. Tony is founder and managing editor of online publication, Disruptive.Asia having previously acted as Asia Editor for Telecom TV; journalist at Telecom Asia and publisher of DisruptiveViews.

Mr. Darwish has more than 20 years of experience in the field or telecommunication spanning incumbent operator, startup operator, and regulator. In his different roles, Mr. Darwish has been involved with international relations. Not only in the ITU, but also in other international organizations including ICANN, GSMA, the GCC Council, the League of Arab States, Arab Regulatory Network (AREGNET), and SAMENA Council.

Mr. Darwish has held several leadership positions in major conferences at the ITU and outside. He has been known at the GCC level for his leadership of the GCC Council Roaming Working Group during the period from 2009 to 2020 for which the group achieved a major reduction in roaming rates in the region since 2016. Mr Darwish was also active in international bilateral projects and negotiations both within the Arab region and outside.

Mr. Darwish, with the experience from both private and public sectors, endeavours to strengthen regional ICT evolution as well as further enhance the role of the ITU at the Arab regional level as well as in coordination with other regions globally. He aims to achieve the vision of an information society, empowered by the interconnected world, where telecommunication/ information and communication technologies enable and accelerate social, economic and environmentally sustainable growth and development for everyone.

Mrs. Nora Cao has more than 16 years of experience and specializes in corporate public affairs communication, especially corporate trustworthy brand communication, and analysis and communication of international cyber security and digital access policies in the ICT field.

During her 12+ years at Huawei, Mrs. Nora Cao has held positions in Europe, Africa, and China. She has rich experience in public communication, international market access policy communication, and related public affairs. She excels in leading challenging international, regional or national access policies and communication strategies on corporate trustworthiness and technical trustworthiness issues.

In 2021, she began to serve as Vice President of Global Government Affairs of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., responsible for government policy communication on cyber security and privacy issues. Lead the company's risk analysis on digital trust and government policies and market access issues, develop external communication strategies, and carry out important projects. She is actively engaged in international access policy insights and cross-regional multi-party experience exchange. She is enthusiastic about participating in multi-stakeholder discussions organized by governments or industries on hot topics such as ICT industry and cyber security, privacy protection, and digital trust.

Mrs. Nora Cao has a great passion for trustworthy brand communication and has extensive industry experience. While working in Europe, she was responsible for the construction and operation of trusted labs between government and business. While working in Africa, she devoted herself to local ICT digital development issues, actively participated in the affairs of local government ICT advisory boards, and developed a digital skill transfer program that won a presidential award.

She holds a bachelor's degree in polymer materials and engineering.

Mr. Ben Amor has over 25 years of experience, specializing in the use and evolution of information and communication technologies for development, as well as in analytical, policy, management and coordination functions at national, regional and International level.

Mr. Ben Amor has occupied successively the post of Special Advisor to the Minister of Industry and Technologies (2011), Special Advisor to the Minister of Information and Communication Technologies (2012 – 2013) Special Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education Scientific Research and ICT (2014) and Special Advisor to the Minister of Communication Technologies and Digital Economy (2015). He was General Director of Telecommunications Research and Studies Center (2009 – 2010).

He acted as the African Chair of the Joint Experts Group for the 8th Partnership, between Africa and European Union, dedicated to ICT, Space Technologies and Science and Technology (2009 -2011), and the head of the Tunisian delegation in many high level international conferences such as the Conference of African Ministers of ICT (Abuja, Nigeria 2010), the World Conference on International Telecommunications (Dubai, UAE 2012), World Telecommunication Development Conference (Dubai, UAE 2014), the World Conference of plenipotentiaries of International Telecommunication Union (Busan, Korea 2014) and the Council of Arab Ministers of ICT (Cairo, Egypt 2014 & 2015).

Engineer Haithem M. Alfaraj currently serves as Group Chief of Technology Officer. Mr. Alfaraj leads stc's development, operation, and telecom infrastructure innovation, including Analytics & IT Platforms & Solutions and Cyber Security Infrastructure. He overlooks exploring emerging technologies, assesses their application to the company's business, and recommend new strategies and solutions. He is also responsible for the company's industry standards engagements and technical community programs.

Previously at stc, Haithem served as Vice President of Operation Sector where he leads challenging transformation programs that exceled technical operational performance of stc’s communication services. Haithem joined stc in 2016 from Etihad Etisalat, Mobily Company, where he was Chief Technology Operations Officer. He spent 11 years with Mobily with leadership positions for infrastructure and service management operations. Before that, he worked in Saudi Aramco for four years.

He is holding Bachelor in Computer Engineering from King Fahad University in Dhahran and enrolled in
multiple executive leadership programs from Harvard Business School, INSEAD, plus other institutes and
continue his master in Hult International Business School.

Haithem is the board member of Tawal, C4IR KSA & Chairman of the board in stc Cyber Security
Company (sirar). Mr. Alfaraj is an experienced technology executive who possesses extensive technical knowledge supported by a well-rounded business foundation. His strong leadership skills, relationship management abilities, and ambition to create value through a transformation help him execute many successful transformation projects around people, processes, culture, and technology.

Engineer Adel Rashed Almehairi currently holding the position of Director of UAE Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT) at TDRA. In 2012 he joined TDRA , he represented TDRA and UAE Vision, goals, and ideas of excellence in the field of cyber security in different stages including GCC-CERT,ARCC,OIC-CERT and  with more than 20 years of experience,  bachelor degree in CIS and a Master in International Business, Mr. Al Mehairi is considered one of experts in the fields of ICT and Cyber security.

Jawad leads the GSMA MENA team that is responsible for GSMA work & activities in the MENA region, which spans 25 countries. He oversees the MENA advocacy activities and GSMA programs such as future networks and technology programs. Jawad’s team engages with GSMA members, including mobile operators, in the deployment strategies of mobile services such as 5G networks, the internet of things, digital identity and AI.

The GSMA MENA team works with a wider team of mobile experts based in London and other locations within the GSMA is in charge of engaging all stakeholders in the region and advocacy work to ensure the sustainable investments in mobile broadband networks. Our work includes promoting the mobile industry’s positive contributions to regional and national economic development at the highest levels, influencing the region’s major opinion leaders.

Jawad’s career experience in ICT and Media spans 26 years. Before joining the GSMA as head of MENA in Oct 2015, Jawad managed the Arab Advisors Group, which he had founded in 2001 and sold 55% of the company to the Arab Jordan Investment Bank in 2005. Before founding Arab Advisors Group, Jawad’s career experience included working as a senior telecommunications and technology consultant with the Yankee Group in Boston – USA. Between 1998 and 2000, Mr Abbassi was a Senior Analyst with the communications research arm of the Economist Intelligence Unit in Boston.

Dr Azzouz joined the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Egypt since 2003. During this period, he participated in the implementation of several national projects through telecom services provision. These are such as: preparation of technical, regulatory and economic studies for the issuance of Egypt's Third Mobile License in 2006, as well as, conducting the technical, regulatory and economic studies for the issuance of 4G mobile license in 2016. In addition, he introduced some technical solutions to overcome the spillover and cross border interference issues. Furthermore, he participated in a national project for launching the first Egyptian satellite for communication purposes and conducting many surveys and studies for the establishment of control station of the Egyptian satellite MISRSAT in the non-geostationary orbit. 

In international level, he was Vice-chairman of World Radiocommunication Assembly in RA-2012 & RA-2015, and SG-1 of radio sector. In addition Dr Azzouz is a vice chairman of ASMG since 2011, and undertook the chairmanship of ASMG, managing all mandates and responsibilities during WRC-12. In addition, he participates in developing and enhancing the Radio Regulations that governs Radio Spectrum and services issues worldwide, through active participation and contribution to ITU-R and relevant Study Groups and RAG meetings since 2007. 

Results-oriented leader with several years of experience in Project Planning and wireless network performance and delivery. Excellent in leading diverse cross-functional teams, building effective and productive relationships at all levels of the organization to achieve strategic business goals, improve financial performance and customer experience. Proven success building strong partnerships both internally and externally. Skilled in leveraging new technologies to solve complex business problems as well as driving operational efficiencies that positively impact bottom line results. Passionate about developing highly efficient and innovative organizations through the use of modern technology tools and methodologies focused on continuous improvement.