Agenda

 Dr Jovan Kurbalija is the Executive Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP). He was a member of the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (2004‒2005), special advisor to the Chairman of the UN Internet Governance Forum (2006‒2010), and a member of the High Level Multistakeholder Committee for NETmundial (2013‒2014). In 2018-2019, he served as co-Executive Director of the Secretariat of the United Nations (UN) High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation.

A former diplomat, Jovan has a professional and academic background in international law, diplomacy, and information technology. He has been a pioneer in the field of cyber diplomacy since 1992, when he established the Unit for Information Technology and Diplomacy at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies in Malta and later, DiploFoundation.

Since 1997, Jovan’s research and articles on cyber diplomacy have shaped research and policy discussions on the impact of the Internet on diplomacy and international relations. His book, An Introduction to Internet Governance, has been translated into 9 languages and is used as a textbook for academic courses worldwide. He lectures on e-diplomacy and Internet governance in academic and training institutions in many countries, including Austria (Diplomatic Academy of Vienna), Belgium (College of Europe), Switzerland (University of St Gallen), Malta (University of Malta), and the United States (University of Southern California).

His publishes regular articles on DiploFoundation’s blog, and the Huffington Post. 

Professor Liu possesses in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in Air and Space Law, Digital Economy, and Global Governance. His professional journey has been marked by a dedication to the advancement of emerging technologies and aerospace operations, including unmanned aviation, sub-orbital flight, Higher Airspace Operation (HAO), commercial space ventures, and the integration of the digital economy with artificial intelligence.

Actively participating in key international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS), Professor Liu plays an instrumental role in driving innovation and supporting the emergence of new businesses in the aerospace sector.

Since 2009, he has been deeply involved in shaping the air, space, and digital economy legislation within China, making significant contributions to the field’s development and progress.

Currently, Professor Liu holds the positions of Executive Chair at the School of Global Governance, Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), and Secretary General of JARUS.

Dr. GUAN Hong, Ph.D. in Strategic Energy Management and Climate Economics, serves as the Vice Dean of the School of Management at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) and is a Member of the Executive Board of the School of Global Governance, BIT.

As a founding member of the Global Aviation Development Academy, she leads its aviation think tank initiative. Dr. GUAN Hong serves as an Advisor to the Remote Piloted Aircraft System Panel in the International Civil Aviation Organization and represents BIT in the International Association of Aerospace and Aviation Education. 

She focuses on Global Governance of Science and Technology, Sustainable Development, the Aviation Digital Economy, and Education Innovation.

Xu Xin is engaged in research on AI governance, digital transformation, and aviation law.
She has participated in national research programs and legislative work on unmanned agricultural aviation.

Ms Tereza Horejsova has had an international career in academia and the non-profit sector in the Czech Republic, the UAE, the USA, and Switzerland.

In addition to being Diplo’s Director of Partnerships, Ms Horejsova also serves as a Board Member of Diplo US, the US entity of Diplo she helped establish in 2017.

Previously, Ms Horejsova coordinated regional cyber capacity building activities at the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, where she also chaired the Working Group on Cybersecurity Culture and Skills.

She holds an MA in International Studies and a PhD in European Studies. She has worked on several capacity development activities in the field of digital policy and is an advocate of bringing practical considerations of capacity building into the discussion.

She was a member of the Internet Governance Forum’s Multistakeholder Advisory Group and of the WSIS+20 Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board.

Pablo Marco is Vice Dean at the IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, where he is responsible for academic quality, innovation, and new program development. He also serves as Academic Director of the Master in Technology and Global Affairs and the Master in International Development.