Agenda

Karen McCabe is a Senior Director of Public Affairs and Technology Policy at IEEE, where she leads efforts to build and connect communities working in the technology policy ecosystem and where her focus is on the development and promotion of collaborative strategies that produce impactful outcomes to help advance technology for the benefit of society. Karen works at the nexus of mission-driven organizations, industry, NGO and government bodies to raise awareness, to educate and build capacity among stakeholders in the technology sphere.

Through her career, Karen has focused on projects and initiatives to expand global footprint, build communities, develop and execute integrated communications and global outreach programs and build and nurture relationships. Karen has held various leadership and senior management positions in the technology sector, with a specific focus in the global standards and technology development domain that is rooted in openness, transparency and inclusiveness. Today, Karen is engaged in technology policy initiatives in digital transformation, ethics and technology, sustainability, and global standards in trade and policy. She leads the organization’s engagement with the UN and other international bodies. Karen is a member of the OECD Internet Technical Advisory and works with many organizations and bodies to connect technologists, industry leaders and policy makers where she develops partnerships and builds alliances across stakeholder communities.

Marsha Caddle is a Barbadian economist and public policy strategist who now serves as Barbados' Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology. As former Minister for Economic Affairs and Investment (2018-2022), she spearheaded Barbados' economic recovery program, significantly boosting foreign reserves and reducing debt through international and domestic restructuring. Caddle led climate finance negotiations for the Alliance of Small Island States in 2021, advocating for redistributed Special Drawing Rights for climate-vulnerable nations. With expertise in climate finance, sustainable development, and gender-inclusive economics, she has held prominent roles at the Caribbean Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme. Caddle is renowned for her pioneering work in applying gender and macroeconomic policy frameworks to public finance. In 2022, she established The Bold Centre, a think-and-do tank addressing global issues of just transition for developing populations. Additionally, as an elected Member of Parliament, she represents the Barbados House of Assembly.

Hon. Mohamed Adam Moalim has a distinguished career in public service, marked by significant roles
in Somalia's governmental landscape. Currently serving as a Member of the Federal Parliament of
Somalia in the House of the People, he holds a pivotal position in shaping the nation's policies and
governance. With extensive experience in key ministerial positions within the Federal Government of
Somalia, including Minister of Livestock, Forestry & Range, and Minister of Public Works,
Reconstruction & Housing, he has demonstrated leadership prowess and a deep understanding of
governance and policymaking.

His journey in public service is complemented by valuable insights gained from his tenure in the private
sector, where he acquired practical experience before transitioning into politics. Additionally, his
dedication to humanitarian efforts, as evidenced by his involvement with organizations such as the
Welfare Projects Society and local NGOs, underscores his commitment to serving the community.
With a master's degree in Business Administration from MAHSA University, Malaysia, and specialized
diplomas from institutions like ALISON, Ireland, Hon. Mohamed Adam Mo'alim is equipped with a
solid educational foundation. His proficiency in languages including Somali, English, and Arabic
further enhances his ability to engage with diverse stakeholders on both national and international levels.

H.E. Mousa Hasan (Abu Zaid) is the Chairman of the General Personnel Council in the state of Palestine since 2011 & Head of the Board of the Palestinian National School of Administration until now. Indeed, he was acting as the Minister of Youth and Sport from 2006-2011.

Currently, H.E. is the Chairman of the supreme committee for job planning for the civil servants in the state of Palestine from 2014, Head of the National Team to join Open Government Partnership (OGP) from 2015, and Head of the General Assembly of the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO) in Cairo, which includes Administrative Development Ministers in Arab World. He is the President of Middle East and North Africa Public Administration Researches Forum (MENAPAR), and he had been elected as the Vice President of International Association for Schools and Institutes of Public Administration (IASIA) for Middle East Region in Brussels.

H.E. Abu Zaid has long experience in public administration and member in several public administration networks at the national, regional and international level. H.E. Abu Zaid encourage and support women, youth, people with disabilities and marginalized groups.

Mr. Trairat Viriyasirikul is Deputy Secretary General Acting Secretary General at the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. Graduating from Assumption College in 1987, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts at Assumption University of Thailand (ABAC) from 1988 to 1992, majoring in Business English with a minor in Marketing. Eager to augment his skills, he obtained a Master of Science in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne, USA, between 1993 and 1994.

Mr. Viriyasirikul’s career trajectory has been marked by significant roles within the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). From May 2012 to January 2013, he served as the Executive Director of Commissioner Affairs Bureau and Acting Deputy Secretary General. Subsequently, from February 2013 to June 2020, he held the position of Deputy Secretary General of Strategic and Internal Affairs. Currently, he stands as the Acting Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General of Strategic and Internal Affairs at NBTC, a testament to his enduring commitment and leadership within the organization since July 2020.

Deemah AlYahya is a Saudi digital economy expert and a tech diplomat who serves as the Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO).

AlYahya is the founding Secretary-General of the DCO since her election in April 2021. The DCO is the world’s first standalone intergovernmental global organization focusing on accelerating digital transformation and advancing digital economy, while empowering women and youth.

As the Secretary-General, AlYahya is an advisor, connecting heads of state, government ministers and private sector digital economy leaders together. She facilitates multilateral, multistakeholder digital cooperation to bridge the gap, bringing all digital economy key stakeholders to co-create and co-design high-impact initiatives leading to a world where every country, business, and person has a fair opportunity to prosper in an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. She has been spearheading various initiatives and projects across the globe to this end, keeping multilateral, multistakeholder cooperation as a pillar.

As a lifelong tech enthusiast with a passion for empowering women in the ICT sector, AlYahya founded Women Spark, a non-profit organization to enable developers, tech founders, and investors with the tools they need to grow, through training and mentorship.

In 2018, AlYahya was recognized with the “Digital CEO of the Year” award by Entrepreneur Middle East magazine. AlYahya is a graduate of the INSEAD senior executive programs: International Directors Programme; Leading Digital Transformation & Innovation in the Age of Disruption; and Business Development & Financial Acumen. She also completed various programs at Harvard Business School, including Leading & Building a Culture of Innovation; and Disruptive Innovation: Strategies for a Successful Enterprise.

Over the last 30+ years, I have been a key player as an ICT strategist and programme lead, and e-government expert for the Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.  I have improved the efficiency and effectiveness of services through strategy development and implementation, change management, process redesign, and procurement and implementation of solutions.  I have extended my expertise on a regional level by actively working with Red GEALC (Network of e-Government Experts in Latin America and the Caribbean), Organization of American States (OAS), CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market), and Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). I am a strong advocate of People, Prosperity, and Planet in the digital space.

ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT: IGF Policy Network on Artificial Intelligence, IGF Working Group on Strategy. IGF Working Group on Processes.
FORMER MEMBER:

CARICOM: ICT4D Team, Digital Skills Task Force
Network for Electronic Government in Latin America and The Caribbean (RED GEALC)
SPECIALITIES: E-Government Development; Data Governance and Privacy; Policy Development; Strategic Planning; Business Process Development; Project Management; Procurement & Supply