In a high-profile celebration of resilient leadership in the post-pandemic era, top global leaders including H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka; H.E. Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs; H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO, Emirates Group; H.E. Kamal Nath, former Chief Minister, State of Madhya Pradesh, India; and Indian media magnate Aroon Purie among other 180 dignitaries from around Asia, will come together at the prestigious ABLF Awards Gala which returns as an in-person event after a gap of two years.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Economy, the 16th edition of the legacy award series, will be co-hosted by Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organisation, on March 1, 2022 at the Expo 2020 Dubai, under the theme, Resilience Rising: The Great Reset. Around 20 iconic stalwarts from industry, technology, policy, social enterprise and art will be honoured with the coveted diamond-studded ABLF Trophy in recognition of their success in steering their countries, communities and companies towards stability and growth amidst the turbulence caused by the pandemic.

With the strengthening of UAE-Israel ties in the last two years, the country will garner a strong representation at the ABLF Awards 2022 with the presence and felicitation of H.E. Dr. Ron Malka, Director-General, Israels Ministry of Economy and Industry, furthering the narrative of the ABLF to foster deeper and more meaningful intra-Asia relations. Another noteworthy achiever who will be featured at the event is YouTube Superstar and Founder-CEO of Nas Daily and Nas Academy, Nuseir Yassin.

Some of the other notable attendees who will be present at the ABLF Awards 2022 include H.E. Zayed R. Alzayani, Bahrain Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism; Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Government of Uganda; and Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Indian Sustainability Activist and Global Designer.

In line with the theme of resilience, the ABLF Awards Gala will also feature an exclusive High-Level Panel Discussion on the crucial socio-economic narratives that currently prevail in the wake of the pandemic. Key members of the panel include H.E. Ban Ki-Moon, H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares and H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri along with other influential leaders from industry and government. The panel will feature a compelling conversation amongst the leaders serving as an elegant prelude to the grand Awards ceremony.

Additionally, the Gala will witness the launch of a unique initiative by the ABLF and Dubai Cares in association with luxury partner Dhamani 1969 for the auction of an exclusive custom-created diamond-studded ABLF Trophy with the entire proceeds to be donated towards Dubai Cares initiatives for education of underserved children around the world.