8:30 – 9:15 – Welcome coffee and registration

9:15 – 9:30 – Welcome from International Employment Lawyer

9:30 – 10:30 – Panel Session 1: The Battle for MENA Dominance: The Rise of Regional Business Hubs

The opening panel session will explore the competition among Middle East and North African countries to establish themselves as regional business hubs. With a focus on Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Riyadh, Cairo, Casablanca, and Algiers, the session will delve into the strategies, advantages, and challenges faced by each city in its quest to become a thriving economic centre. A panel of employment and labour lawyer experts will provide insights into the legal, regulatory, and economic factors driving this competition and the potential impact of nationalisation campaigns that are in full flow in the region.

Moderator:
Luke Tapp, Partner, Pinsent Masons, United Arab Emirates

Panellists:
Sara Khoja, Partner, Clyde & Co, United Arab Emirates
Emilia Law, Head of Legal MEA, Novartis, United Arab Emirates
Rasha Maurice, Partner, Shahid Law, United Arab Emirates
Joelle Salame, Associate, K&L Gates, Qatar

10:30 – 11:30 – Panel Session 2: Navigating Disputes and Investigations: Regional Trends and Best Practices

The panel session will provide an in-depth exploration of the latest trends in employment law disputes and internal investigations across the MENA region. Employment lawyers will shed light on the evolving legal landscape and emerging challenges faced by organisations operating across the region, and share insights into effective strategies, best practices, and case studies to help businesses effectively navigate disputes and cross-border investigations.

Moderator:
Rachel Hill, Partner, Hadef & Partners, United Arab Emirates

Panellists:
Kamaljit Dosanjh, Executive Legal Counsel, GE Vernova, United Arab Emirates
Apeksha Mattoo, Partner, Trilegal, India
Sonia Sakr, Employee & Labour Relations Lead, Johnson & Johnson, United Arab Emirates

11:30 – 12:00 – Coffee break

12:00 – 1:00 – Panel Session 3: Shaping the Future: Exploring MENA’s Pay and Benefits Trends

Employment and HR experts will discuss the evolving landscape of compensation and benefits schemes, highlighting emerging trends and best practices. The session will provide valuable insights into how organisations can adapt their pay and benefits strategies to attract, retain, and motivate talent in the dynamic MENA employment market.

Moderator:
Gordon Barr, Partner, Al Tamimi, United Arab Emirates

Panellists:
Sarah Belhanini, Senior Legal Counsel, Infosys, United Arab Emirates
Samantha Ellaby, Regional Head of Legal, Cognita, United Arab Emirates
Ted Raffoul, Career & Workforce Products Business Leader, Mercer, United Arab Emirates

1:00 – 2:30 – Networking Lunch

2:30 – 3:30 – Panel Session 4: The Impact of Global ESG Initiatives on MENA Employers

As Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations increasingly shape business practices worldwide, this session will explore the challenges and opportunities faced by multinational employers in aligning their employment-related strategies with global sustainability and responsibility goals in the MENA region. Ahead of COP28 taking place in Dubai, the panel will equip attendees with practical knowledge and best practices to navigate the evolving ESG landscape, drive sustainability, and foster responsible business practices in the region.

Moderator:
Shiraz Sethi, Partner, Dentons, United Arab Emirates

Panellists:
Yasser Aboismail, General Counsel, Schindler Group, United Arab Emirates
Joanna Matthews-Taylor, Partner, Baker McKenzie, United Arab Emirates
Yousef Walker, AMESA Senior Legal Director, PepsiCo, United Arab Emirates

3:30 – 4:00 – Coffee break

4:00 – 5:00 – Panel Session 5: Generative AI in HR: Balancing Risks and Rewards in MENA

A panel of lawyers specialised in employment and technology law will discuss the implications of Generative AI in HR processes, addressing legal, ethical, and cultural considerations. The session will provide insights into navigating the challenges and maximising the benefits of implementing these new, and controversial, tools in HR functions across the MENA region.

Moderator:
Kiersten Lucas, Partner, Stephenson Harwood, United Arab Emirates

Panellists:
Lisa Bryson, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, United Arab Emirates
Jelena Klijujic, EMEA Privacy Officer, Cisco, United Arab Emirates
David van Lochem, CEO & Co-Founder, Augmented Workforce, United Arab Emirates
Liz Williamson, Director – Employment Law – Growth Markets, Accenture, United Arab Emirates

5:00 – 5:15 – Closing remarks

5:15 – Close and networking drinks reception