DUBAI PRECIOUS METALS CONFERENCE

Ahmed Bin Sulayem is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC and has driven its growth from a start-up of 28 member companies in 2003 to the world’s leading international business district in 2025 with over 26,000 member companies from 180 countries, employing over 90,000 people.

Tasked with enhancing commodity trade flows through Dubai, DMCC has introduced to the market a number of value-added products and services under Mr Bin Sulayem’s leadership. In 2023, DMCC was named ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’ by The Financial Times fDi Magazine, for a record ninth consecutive year.

Mr Bin Sulayem oversaw the exponential growth of the DMCC Free Zone master development in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), a 200-hectare business and residential community in Dubai of over 100,000 people living and working in 87 towers. Mr Bin Sulayem also oversees the development of DMCC’s latest real estate project, the Uptown Dubai district.

Mr Bin Sulayem currently serves as the Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) and the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX).

The Kimberley Process officially appointed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the first and only Arab country to Chair the Kimberley Process (KP) in November 2015. Shortly after, the UAE Ministry of Economy appointed Mr Bin Sulayem as the UAE’s Chair of the KP for 2016. Mr Bin Sulayem was reappointed as Chair of the KP for a historic second term in 2024, and again in 2025 as Custodian Chair, marking an unprecedented third term.

His Excellency Fahad Al Gergawi serves as Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade. In this pivotal role, he supports the promotion and expansion of the nation’s foreign trade relations, the strengthening of its global partnerships and the advancement of its economic diversification ambitions.

H.E. Al Gergawi also plays an important role in the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program with strategic allies worldwide, supporting the country's ambitions to boost non-oil foreign trade and create global opportunities for the nation’s exporters. He actively engages with various key stakeholders to secure trade agreements that facilitate increased market access to key economies and promote the UAE's status as a leading global trade and investment hub.

With more than 28 years of experience in foreign direct investment (FDI) and business development, H.E. Al Gergawi has a proven track record in strategic planning and execution. Previously, he served as CEO of the Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), where he attracted more than AED300 billion in FDI that helped create in excess of 213,000 jobs.

A recognized leader, he is also the Secretary General of the Hamdan Centre for the Future of Investment (HCFI) and has presented at various international forums, sharing insights on foreign trade and investment strategies.

David has been the CEO of the World Gold Council since 2019.

During his 35 years in the financial services industry, David worked for a variety of reputed firms. He was a Managing Director of Credit Suisse Investment Banking division, based in London until 2016, where he was the Global Head of the Macro Products Division (Interest Rates, Fx and Commodities) and sat as a member of the Fixed Income Management Committee. Prior to this role, David was the Global Head of Credit Suisse’s Foreign Exchange and Short-Term Interest Rate Trading.

Previously, he held a partner position at the hedge fund Bluecrest Capital. Prior to this, he was Global Head of FX Proprietary Trading at Credit Suisse for six years until 2002. He started his career in FX market making and Proprietary trading at Goldman Sachs in 1984.

Additionally, he played an active and impactful leadership role in the Securities Accelerated Leadership Programme [women returning to the work environment] as well as advancing the industry’s diversity and culture initiatives. He was the firm’s Macro Financial Market Regulator liaison – PRA, FCA, FED, FINMA & MAS.

He is currently an Independent Member of the Bank of England’s FICC Market Standards Board [FMSB] and chairs the Precious Metals Working Group.

David is also a major supporter and ambassador of the NSPCC and has raised over £8 million for the charity. In 2013 he climbed Everest for the fifth time in support of the charity’s work and in 2007 became the first person to ever perform the North-South traverse of Everest.

He was a former NSPCC Trustee (2011 -2014) and was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 for his services to the charity. David now chairs the charity’s Rebuilding Childhoods Board, caring for sexually abused children.

In February 2020, the movie “Sulphur & White”, an account of David’s life experiences, had its Royal Premier. All proceeds from the film benefited the NSPCC.

From 2010-12 David was also chair of the Child’s Eye Foundation, a Ugandan based, infant relief and rescue charity.

Mr. Maxwell Yao Akpene Klu is a Geological Engineer with over a decade of experience in exploration, resource and mine geology. He brings expertise in geology, Oil, Gas & Mining Law, which positions him uniquely at the intersection of technical operations, governance, and sustainable resource management.

In addition to his scientific credentials, Mr. Klu holds advanced legal qualifications, including an LLB from University of London and an LLM in Oil, Gas & Mining Law from Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom.

As Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Small Scale Mining and Industrial Minerals at the Minerals Commission, Mr. Klu is recognized as a Natural Resource Governance Expert. He combines technical depth with broad system-level understanding, ensuring efficient regulatory oversight, transparency, and the promotion of international standards in Ghana’s mining industry.

Isabelle Strauss-Kahn is an international financial asset management consultant and serves on the boards of several organisations.

From 2008 to 2018, Ms Strauss-Kahn served as Lead Financial Officer and Manager of the World Bank Treasury’s Reserve Advisory and Management Partnership (RAMP), providing financial services, technical assistance, and training to central banks and sovereign wealth funds worldwide.

From 1999 to 2008, Ms Strauss-Kahn served first as Deputy Director and then as Director of the Market Operations Department at the Bank of France in Paris. Her responsibilities included managing gold and foreign exchange reserves and overseeing the implementation of monetary policy.

Earlier, she held risk-management leadership roles at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel and at the Bank of France. She was a permanent member of several international and European committees, including those of the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the G10. She has spoken at numerous conferences organised by public and private sector financial institutions and has published several articles on reserve management.

Mohammed Karam is Associate Director for Precious Metals & Stones at DMCC, where he supports the development of its precious metals and stones ecosystem and works with industry stakeholders to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for gold, diamonds, gemstones, and jewellery.

With over a decade of experience across the gemmological and commodities sectors, Mohammed brings together technical expertise and commercial insight to support industry growth, strategic partnerships, and international trade.

Prior to joining DMCC, Mohammed held several senior positions for Dubai Municipality. He started his career as a gemmologist, developing extensive expertise across gemstone and precious metals analysis before moving into leadership roles combining technical oversight with broader strategic responsibilities.

Mohammed holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geology from the United Arab Emirates University. He also studied Gemology at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).