Sharjah Hosts WAIPA General Assembly To Elect New Leadership For 2025-2027 Term

The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) wrapped up its General Assembly and Steering Committee Elections on October 21 in Sharjah. This significant event took place just before the WAIPA World Investment Conference (WIC 2025), which began today alongside the Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2025) at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre.

As WAIPA's top decision-making body, the General Assembly gathered member agencies worldwide to determine the organisation's strategic path. During this assembly, a new Steering Committee was elected for the 2025-2027 term. This committee is crucial for directing WAIPA's priorities and global outreach, with members voting on important amendments to the WAIPA Statutes.

The newly elected leadership reflects WAIPA's diverse membership and will guide the organisation for two years. The Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), represented by Mohammed Yousef Mulla Yaqoub, Acting Director General at KDIPA, was chosen as President. The Vice-Presidencies were awarded to ProDominicana from the Dominican Republic and Invest Korea.

The elections included competitive regional races. The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) was chosen for Sub-Saharan Africa directorship. The Algerian Investment Promotion Agency secured the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) directorship. The Board of Investment Pakistan won South Asia directorship, while Invest Fiji was selected for Oceania.

In Europe, Enterprise Greece secured directorship, with Invest Cyprus elected for Eastern Europe. CNI Honduras was chosen for Central America and the Caribbean directorship.

Global Dialogue on Investment

Reflecting on the successful assembly, Ismail Ersahin, CEO and Executive Director of WAIPA, stated, "Hosting our global membership in Sharjah has provided a truly unique backdrop for setting our strategic course for the years ahead. The synergy between our leadership elections, WIC 2025, and the concurrent Sharjah Investment Forum has created an unparalleled platform for action, firmly positioning WAIPA at the heart of the global dialogue on sustainable and transformative investment."

The discussions and leadership mandates reaffirmed at the General Assembly will directly be echoed through the agenda of the WAIPA World Investment Conference 2025, which runs concurrently with the Sharjah Investment Forum.

Organised by Invest in Sharjah in partnership with WAIPA and the UAE Ministry of Investment, SIF x WIC 2025 is set to be its most impactful edition yet; and will unite more than 130 international speakers for over 160 specialised sessions and activities focusing on global reach, sustainable FDI, the future of digital economies, and empowering IPAs through innovation.

This collaborative effort aims to enhance global investment strategies while promoting sustainable economic growth through innovative approaches.

With inputs from WAM