Forum Commerce Mondial & Blockchain

Pashupati Nath Pandey is a Senior Technical Officer with the Facilitation and Compliance Directorate of the World Customs Organization. He is currently working in the area of the Digital Customs, emerging technologies, E-Commerce, supply chain security and trade facilitation. Prior to joining the WCO, during his 15 year-long career with the Indian Customs Administration and Consulate General of India, Hong Kong, Mr. Pandey occupied a number of managerial positions in various domains including Customs modernization, trade facilitation, risk assessment and enforcement, as well as bi-lateral and multi-lateral cooperation.

Marloes Pomp is the Initiator and Program Officer for the Blockchain and AI projects within the Dutch Government, including projects in the field of digital identities, logistics, healthcare, finance and food. She is also responsible for the international partnerships of the Dutch Blockchain Coalition and the Dutch AI Coalition. Both coalitions are a jointly developed partnership by government, industry and knowledge institutions. Together they have a leading role and joint responsibility for the success of the solving societal challenges and making a major contribution to new economic activities.

In addition, she serves as an advisory member for the SIDN Fund, the Dutch Court, The Blockchain and Society Board of the University of Amsterdam (VU) and the Research Foundation Flanders.

As the Director for International Public Policy, Leila is responsible for developing and executing strategies to further Toyota’s global business goals. She collaborates across the company’s vertical and horizontal teams to develop and advocate positions on key policy issues. Leila also provides insight on geopolitical trends and market developments to Toyota’s senior leadership.

Leila most recently served as an appointee for President Obama at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), where she advanced economic growth in emerging markets through the export of critical U.S. technologies and equipment.

Previously, Leila served as USTDA's Country Manager for the Middle East and Africa, managing a multimillion-dollar portfolio of grant funds for infrastructure projects. She also held senior roles in management consulting, helping clients around the world improve efficiency, increase FDI and advance economic growth.

Leila began her career at the U.S. Trust Company in New York, where she executed trades and managed overdrafts for asset management accounts over US$3.1 billion. She has also advised the World Economic Forum during their Annual Meetings for three consecutive years.

Leila earned a Masters degree in international economics from Columbia University where she was awarded a Program Assistant Fellowship. She also earned a B.A. in Political Science and English from James Madison University.

Doug is part of the growth team at komgo, responsible for sales, onboarding, client relations and customer success. With a 10+ year background in external relations, partnership building and community management in the ICT / tech sector, Doug has worked extensively at the intersection of tech startup – corporate collaboration, delivering growth / innovation strategies and supporting data and impact driven decision-making for c-level management in both large and small organizations.

Dale Chrystie is business fellow and blockchain strategist for FedEx, based in the Memphis area. He also serves as chairman of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) Standards Council, and is a member of the Blockchain Research Institute. He was awarded the inaugural Enterprise Blockchain Award in Enterprise & Industry Leadership. Dale's career in transportation began more than 30 years ago at Con-way, Inc. From there, he joined American Freightways, which would eventually become FedEx Freight. In addition to his work leading the first proof of concept at FedEx using Blockchain technology, he has extensive experience in strategy, quality, process improvement, portfolio management, human resources, operations, sales, education, risk, and standards development. He holds a degree in education from the University of Arkansas, with an emphasis in teaching adults.

Bob Gravestijn is an intrapreneur who helps organisations build and grow new business ideas, with focus on quality, efficiency and value. Trained originally as physicist, he has a unique 20+ year background as a consultant for thought leaders within telecommunication, automotive, governmental and financial services. As a business developer he helps ABN AMRO Bank to create and improve business value for the bank's customers with blockchain technology. Recently, he participated in commodity trade blockchain projects that became successful startups; VAKT and komgo. Now he works in the Ð?LIV?R project which has the goal to be a neutral innovative global trade business collaboration tool; an open, decentralised platform infrastructure reshaping supply chain management and facilitating innovations in the supply chain. Ð?LIV?R is a collaboration between the Port of Rotterdam, Samsung SDS and ABN AMRO Bank.

Alisa DiCaprio is the Head of Trade and Supply Chain at R3 in New York City. In addition to strategy, she also covers trade governance and global standards initiatives. She joined from Asian Development Bank where she was a senior economist working on digital trade, trade finance and innovation. She has also worked in both the public and private sectors on export promotion, trade negotiations, and labor issues.

She co-chairs the BAFT Innovation Council and chairs the FinTech working group for the US Department of Commerce’s Trade Finance Advisory Council. She has worked in Cambodia, Chile, Finland, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the US. Her PhD is from MIT, and she holds a BA and MA from Johns Hopkins University.

Bart is founder of Seal Network, an award-winning blockchain company that set out to create a global product authenticity and services platform, founded on the belief that by building better products, we can build a better world. Seal Network won an award at the Blockathon, a challenge to build the next-generation blockchain-based anticounterfeiting infrastructure for Europe organized by the EUIPO, and took part in a trade mission to the United States with Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands and state secretary Mona Keijzer.

Prior to Seal Network, Bart worked for Dell, Bloomsix and Deloitte. His talent for innovation enabled him to work on projects in IOT, robotics and blockchain. He is a member of Mensa and holds a Master in Marketing Intelligence completing the honours leadership track at the University of Groningen. Born as the son of an artist-product designer, his family fell victim to counterfeiters, strengthening his resolve to fight for makers.

Deborah Prince started her career in Standards with UL in 1995. She worked in Standards operations for approximately 6 years, starting as a standards staff person writing safety standards. In 2001, she moved over to Global Standards where she was involved in implementing the STP standards development process and began working as an STP Chair. Currently, she is the Standards Program Manager and Chair of UL’s IoT suite of standards which include, cyber security, autonomous systems robotics, and AR/VR as well as other emerging areas.

Deepesh Patel is Director of Partnerships & Marketing at Trade Finance Global (TFG). In this role, Deepesh leads efforts in developing TFG’s brand, relationships and strategic direction in key markets, including the UK, US, Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong. This includes TFG’s fintech platform and blockchain projects. Deepesh regularly chairs and speaks at international industry events including at the World Trade Organization Public Forum, The Telegraph’s Future of Trade & Export, BCR Consortia, TXF Geneva, Excred Commodities, as well as FCI and ITFA's Annual Conference.

He is a regular contributor to specialist trade journals and is Editor of the publication 'Trade Finance Talks’. In addition to his work at TFG, he is a strategic advisor for WOA, a board member of ITFA’s Emerging Leaders Committee, and sits on the Fintech Working Group of the Standardised Trust.

Prior to TFG, Deepesh worked at Travelex where he was responsible for the cards business and the Travelex Money app in Europe, NAM, UK and Brazil.

Senior Industry Research Analyst. Current research focuses on Global Transaction Banking, Supply Chain Finance, Blockchain and Corporate Treasury systems.

Mr. Camerinelli has also held the position of VP for Enterprise Applications at META Group- a research company. For more than 10 years, before covering the position of pre-sales marketing manager at J.D. Edwards, he worked in the industry as Supply Chain and Plant Manager.

Founding member of the Supply Chain Finance Community and member of the Italian delegation at the United Nations Center for Electronic Commerce and Trade Facilitation, Mr. Camerinelli is widely quoted by publications ranging from American Banker to the Financial Times. He has spoken at leading trade shows and conferences in Europe, including Sibos and EuroFinance.

Dr. Hanna C. Norberg is an independent trade policy advisor, founder of TradeEconomista, Co-Director of DigitalTradePolicy.com and a #TradeExperettes Instigator.

She holds a Ph.D. in International Economics from Lund University, Sweden, with the thesis largely written during an extended study visit to Columbia University and the NBER office in NY. Primary academic research interests are trade, trade policy, economic integration and development.

Apart from her work as university lecturer and researcher, Hanna has substantial experience in applied economics doing numerous trade policy impact assessment projects for the European Commission (FTAs covering major parts of the world e.g. T-TIP, Japan, ASEAN, Korea, various MENA countries, Mercosur), ECFIN, OECD, WTO and national governments. She has considerable practical experience, working on implementing FTAs, surveying exporting SMEs, and economic development thru private public partnerships. She is currently involved in projects on digital protectionism, cross border data flows, and the effects of blockchain on trade.

Khalil is an executive management advisor specialized in Strategy and Operations. He has more than 15 years of experience working with organizations to identify and develop differentiators, identify and shape opportunities, create and enhance business value, control cost and improve productivity. During his career, Khalil has successfully led and supported organization to set and achieve strategies including cost optimization, expansion and turnaround. He has worked in several industries including oil and gas, heavy industries, retail, real estate and logistics.

Khalil is the head of strategy and development division of Dubai Chamber, where he oversees projects and initiatives related economic development including competitiveness, enhancing ease and cost of doing business, business promotion and attraction, policy planning and development and sectorial development.

Before joining the chamber Khalil worked in other reputable organizations including PWC, E&Y and BCG.

Khalil holds a Masters of Innovation and Entrepreneurship – from Stanford University, Masters of Business Administration from New York University and a B. Sc. In Industrial Engineering/ Engineering Management from the University of Jordan.

As the founder and Managing Director of Global Trade Solution, she has more than 25 years’ experience in the International Trade and international Supply Chain and Logistics environment. The objective of Louise and her competent team at GTS is to provide consulting service combined with innovative solutions to enable the optimization of the international trade, supply chain and logistical environment. Linking all the different trade partners in the international supply chain as well as all the various statutory organizations is a primary drive for the GTS team. The various statutory bodies include the Customs and Port Authorities as well as the Other Government Agencies who focus on the related aspects of international trade including food safety, standards and health.

GTS has adopted blockchain technology as a primary disruptor in the International Trade and Supply Chain environment. The GTS team is championing a number of blockchain initiatives with various industry role players to help shape the future of the industry and to modernize the international trade and supply chain landscape.

Petya has 20 years of experience in multinational companies across diverse industries: Consulting, IT, Logistics, Commodity Trading & Operations.

Petya joined Cargill in 2009 and after several leadership roles and international assignments in the agricultural commodities trade operations domain became the Global Trade Operations Leader for Cargill Agricultural Supply Chain.

Petya is currently involved in the agri digitalization initiative by Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Bunge Limited, Cargill Incorporated, Louis Dreyfus Company, Cofco International and Glencore Agriculture to modernise and digitalize the global agricultural post-trade processes.

Prior Cargill Petya worked in the headquarters of DHL in Belgium being responsible for product development and marketing of DHL’s road logistics services.

Petya has Master’s Degree in International Business and MBA degree from SDA Bocconi University in Milan, Italy.

As the Director for Trade in IMDA, Sin Yong is responsible for transforming trade (Wholesale Trade, Trade Finance, and Logistics) sectors using ICM technologies to enhance the sectors’ competitiveness in the global market.

Sin Yong has more than 25 years of professional IT and extensive leadership experience in Trade Facilitation, Logistics, and Maritime domains, with international exposures in China, South East Asia and South Asia markets.

Before joining IMDA, Sin Yong spent more than 11 years in CrimsonLogic where he most recently served as Senior Director, Asia. In addition to leading the Strategic Account Management team to deepen customer intimacy and cultivating new opportunities, he was responsible for creating and driving business strategies in the region. Prior to this recent role, he was the General Manager of CrimsonLogic eTrade Services Pte Ltd (a fully owned subsidiary of CrimsonLogic Pte Ltd) and his team was responsible for offering innovative and secured electronic connectivity solutions to the trade and logistics industry.

Before joining CrimsonLogic, Sin Yong spent more than 8 years with PSA Corporation (previously the Port of Singapore Authority).

Joined Bunge Global Markets in April 2001 as Director of Administration and Special Projects and was the one of the handful pioneers who set up the office of Bunge in Geneva. Since 2005, Vincent has been named Director of Finance and Trade Executions and beginning of 2013 named CFO for the MENA Region and the areas covered by the Geneva Trading Desks in general.

Since 2018, Vincent has been named Director of Global Trade Commodity Solutions and he is devoting a large part of his time to the Initiative Group project sponsored by the ABCCDG.

Prior to joining Bunge, Vincent held the position of Group Controller of Addax & Oryx Group, a petrochemical group mainly active in Africa. Previous to this, he held various senior positions at Continental Grain European HQ in Geneva where he was ultimately the European Controller.

Eleni Androulaki has a 20-year track record of driving communications efforts across the private and non-profit sectors. She works closely with Board members, C-suite executives and global cross-functional teams to realize organizational goals and create lasting impact through compelling communication strategies. Between 2013-2018 she was Global Head of Communication at leading agribusiness firm Louis Dreyfus Company in Geneva. Prior to that she held various global, regional and local communications roles at WWF International, Microsoft and Hill & Knowlton Strategies. Her international experience ranges from commodities, information technology and FMCGs to intellectual property, automotive and the environment. A Greek national, she holds a Master’s degree in European Politics and Administration from the College of Europe in Bruges (Belgium), a Diploma in European Studies from the University of Vienna and a BA in English Studies from the University of Athens. She has lived and worked in Switzerland for the past 12 years.

Emmanuelle Ganne is Senior Analyst in the Economic Research and Statistics Division of the World Trade Organization (WTO) where she leads WTO work on Blockchain. She is the author of a recently published book entitled "Can Blockchain Revolutionize International Trade?" and is a regular speaker at blockchain events. Ms. Ganne is a member of the government advisory board of the International Association of Trusted Blockchain Applications (INATBA). Ms. Ganne also leads WTO work on micro, small and medium side enterprises. Prior to this, she various positions at the WTO, including as Counselor to Director-General Pascal Lamy, and in the Accessions Division where she assessed trade policies of governments wishing to join the WTO and advised them on how to improve their business environment. From 2015 to 2017, she held the position of Vice-President and Managing Director for Europe at the Allam Advisory Group (AAG), a team of former C-level executives and senior diplomats that specializes in helping businesses expand their operations globally. Ms. Ganne is a 2009 Yale World Fellow.

Marc Kaufman is an intellectual property attorney based in Washington, DC. Marc concentrates his practice on patent strategy in the technology areas of Fintech, database technology, content distribution, and computer security. Over the last several years, Marc has actively monitored and analysed the emerging patent landscape related to blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Marc is a co-founder of the Blockchain IP Council. Marc has spoken throughout the world, authored many articles, and been quoted in notable publications such as the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Forbes, Newsweek, and the Patent Trademark & Copyright Journal. Mr. Kaufman has been named to the IAM 350 Top Patent Strategists every year since its inception.

Mrs. Xiaoping Wu is Counsellor in the Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Division of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and has held this position from 2006.

She undertakes work in the area of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) with a focus on patent policy and legal issues in the sectors of biotechnology, information and communication technology (ICT), and emerging technologies. She is also responsible for review of WTO Members' national IP legislation and transfer of technology to least developed countries (LDCs). She participates as a speaker in numerous WTO technical assistance and capacity building activities on IP and the TRIPS Agreement.

Mrs. Wu joined the WTO Secretariat as a Legal Affairs Officer in 2002. Prior to joining the WTO Secretariat, she had served as an Assistant Judge in the Shanghai Intermediate Court, and also worked as an attorney-at-law in a law firm in China. 

Mrs. Wu obtained a LL.B. from the East China Institute of Politics and Law, a Master degree in civil law from Peking University Law School, and a LL.M. degree in IP law from George Washington University Law School.

Mr. Quan Zhao is trade in services advisor in the Office of the Chief Economist, International Trade Centre (ITC). His main portfolio at the ITC includes policy research and project management in the areas of trade in services, e-commerce, digital economy and cross-border investment. He also advises the senior management on the trade and investment issues in the context of the G20 and BRICS.

Prior to joining the ITC, Mr. Zhao served as a trade negotiator and diplomat at the Permanent Mission of China to the World Trade Organization and the Ministry of Commerce of China. He has served as the Chair for WTO's Committee on Trade in Financial Services, and China’s lead services negotiator in China-Peru, China-Costa Rica and China-Pakistan FTAs.

Martin Devlin is an Assistant Director of International Policy at IP Australia.

Mr Devlin has worked for IP Australia for 8 years. He has a strong background in patents with experience in both examination and policy. Currently, Mr Devlin contributes to the development and strategic direction of domestic and international IP policy and has experience across a broad range of IP issues.

Mr Devlin has represented the agency at several meetings at WIPO on patents under the PCT Working Group and the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents. He regularly attends international negotiations on the protection of indigenous knowledge under the WIPO IGC and provides technical input into FTA negotiations.

Prof. Christian Pauletto teaches at the International University in Geneva (IUG) in the Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy and in the Master’s in International Trade. From 1990 to 2018 he was a Swiss negotiator with responsibilities in an array of positions in foreign economic affairs in international fora (United Nations, WTO, OECD) and bilateral relations. He was Swiss chief negotiator for trade in services and electronic commerce, in charge of the Doha negotiations and bilateral negotiations. He was posted at the Swiss Mission to the EU in Brussels, responsible for Swiss-EU sectoral negotiations. He was the Swiss representative in the Middle East Peace Process (Madrid Process 1993-1995), in energy affairs including the International Energy Agency and the European Energy Charter Treaty, and in environment issues including the negotiation of the UN Climate Change Convention and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the world’s largest business organization representing more than 45 million companies in over 100 countries. ICC’s core mission is to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere.
As Deputy Director, David Bischof oversees diverse areas of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Finance for Development Hub, a global forum for the trade finance community. He leads a range of projects and strategic initiatives on trade and trade finance, such as the ICC Trade Register project. As of 2017, he has added responsibility of setting up and running ICC’s working group on digitalization of trade finance. In addition, David was recently appointed to co-lead ICC’s newly created working group on Blockchain. In that capacity, David is part of the founding team of ICC’s digital trade standards initiative (DSI) aiming at leading efforts to digitize trade, notably by the creation of open trade and technology standards to promote interoperability among the numerous blockchain networks and technology platforms.

David is from Switzerland and holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Governance from the University of St. Gallen (HSG). He previously studied at Sciences Po Institute, Paris and the University of Geneva.

Hans has in 25 years held a variety of roles in logistics, finance, and marketing mostly running complex IT projects and bridging between business and technology. He has worked in Germany, the UK, Japan and the US.

Since early 2017 Hans has contributed to building the Distributed Ledger Technology Lab of Commerzbank. He was among the key people driving the Universal Trade Network, now known as ICC Digital Standards Initiative.

Helen Köpman is Deputy Head of Unit for Digital Innovation & Blockchain, at DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology at the European Commission in Brussels. The unit elaborates policy initiatives under the Digital single Market to support digital innovation, blockchain and growth of startups and include Startup Europe, ICT standardisation and Innovation Procurement. The unit leads along with DG FISMA, the European Commission Task Force on Financial Technology. Previously, Ms Köpman held the position of Deputy Head of Unit, managing EC supported research and innovation in the area of ICT applied to mobility. She also worked in the area of International Scientific Cooperation. She has a M.Sc. in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering, from the University of Linköping, Sweden. Ms Köpman joined the European Commission in 2003 following a thorough industrial experience in the management of ICT service development in international companies that include Infonet, AT&T Unisource and Cap Gemini.

Stephen Doyle is Principal Technical Architect for GSMA covering topics in the IoT related to Big Data, Machine Learning/ AI and distributed ledgers. A graduate in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Warwick in the UK he has worked for a range of IT and Telecoms companies comprising equipment manufacturers, mobile operators, and application/ service developers. Since 1994 Stephen has worked in the Mobile Industry mainly in the areas of applications and services and is particularly experienced in the definition, development and usage of web/mobile APIs. For GSMA he has been leading system architecture and implementations regarding use of Big Data and Machine Learning related to IoT, also the application of distributed ledgers to the IOT and other areas of mobile networks.

In addition to being the CEO of Triangularity SàRL, which supports economic development through research and consulting on innovation, e-commerce and trade, Ms. Cram-Martos provides expert support to a range of technology activities. This includes being leader of the Blockchain white paper project of the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) and co-leader of another white paper project on the Internet of Things and Trade Facilitation. In addition, she participates in blockchain fora organized by ITU, ISO, the European Union and the World Economic Forum.

Prior to Triangularity, she worked for 25 years at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, 11 of which as the Director responsible for: trade facilitation, global UN electronic business standards, regulatory cooperation, national innovation frameworks and public-private partnerships.

She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a Masters in Finance from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium.

Director of Policy and Global Affairs at ICC, Nikolaus has broad international experience in both the public and private sectors and has first-rate knowledge of international affairs, policy engagement and private sector engagement.

Marilia Maciel is a Digital Policy Senior Researcher at DiploFoundation. She is involved in several Internet- governance-related projects, notably on the fields of e-commerce, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Prior to joining Diplo, Ms Marília Maciel was a researcher and coordinator of the Center for Technology and Society of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (CTS/FGV) in Rio de Janeiro. Marília is a PhD candidate at the University of Bordeaux Montaigne. She holds an MA in Latin American Integration from the Federal University of Santa Maria (2008) and a law degree from the Federal University of Pernambuco (2005), where she was awarded a research grant to investigate issues related to taxation and electronic commerce.

Passionate policy adviser with more than 15 years of professional experience, combining a strong procurement and governance expertise with a deep knowledge of international regulatory standards, EU acquis as well as design and management of the IT, infrastructure and technical cooperation projects. Lawyer and economist, Eliza holds postgraduate degrees from the Warsaw University, Poland and the University College London and King’s College in the United Kingdom. 

Since joining the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in 2009, Eliza has initiated and is currently Operation Leader for EBRD UNCITRAL Public Procurement Initiative, Digital Transformation Lab and EBRD GPA Technical Cooperation Facility. Before that, Eliza worked for Polish Government during Poland’s accession to the European Union and upon leaving civil service, as a general counsel in the IT industry. Prior to joining the EBRD, Eliza was Head of Procurement at power&energy company, PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA in Warsaw, Poland.

Devin McDaniels is Economic Affairs Officer in the Trade and Environment Division of the World Trade Organization. He is the deputy-Secretary of the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. Since joining the WTO in 2011, he has worked on issues at the intersection of standards, regulation and trade. He holds degrees in economics, international relations and environmental policy from the University of British Columbia and the University of Oxford.

Bo Jing, staff software engineer in Baidu Blockchain System Department, has a deep understanding of cryptography, privacy security and lightweight node technology. He also has many patents in the field of blockchain core technology. He graduated from Wuhan University with a bachelor's degree and obtained his master's degree in Dublin City University, Ireland. He has played a key role in the tech team to help open source the code of Baidu "XuperChain", release Baidu blockchain BaaS, SaaS services and other commercial products. Now these blockchain products have been successfully used in the Tianping Chain(an electronic evidence platform) of Beijing Internet Court, clearing system of Aibank.com, RTB advertising effect tracking and other scenes.

Leading the growth and direction of Geora, Bridie is passionate about using technology to meet sustainable development goals and connect farmers with financial and digital systems globally.

Since 2016, Bridie has navigated the intersection of blockchain and agriculture heading up external relations and the blockchain pilot program at AgriDigital. On the basis of this work, Bridie authored use cases in a range of publications including CSRIO Data61's Architecture for Blockchain Applications as well as in the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations' e-Agriculture publication Blockchain for Agriculture, Opportunities and Challenges.

Bridie is an active member of the Standards Australia Blockchain Technical Committee – Smart Contracts Working Group (IT-041) and is a regular speaker on blockchain at conferences globally.

Bridie holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Arts studying at both the University of Sydney and Sciences Po, Paris.

Maria Rosaria Ceccarelli has more than 21 years of experience in Trade & Transport Facilitation and electronic Business within UNECE where she is Chief of the Trade Facilitation Section and OiC Director of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Division. She is responsible among other of the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and electronic Business (UN/CEFACT). She manages a group of some 1000 experts working on Trade Facilitation and eBusiness projects to produce Trade Facilitation Recommendations and eBusiness standards, that can foster growth in international trade and related services. Under her supervision UN/CEFACT is working at the moment on more than 30 projects on Trade Facilitation and eBusiness across the all value chain including projects on Blockchain and Internet-of-Things.

Nicholas C. Niggli is currently Deputy Secretary General, Republic and State of Geneva, Department of Economic Development. Building strategic, high-value partnerships and reinforcing Geneva as a premier global hub for innovative digital governance as well as for sustainable finance are two of his main areas of responsibility. Since 2018, Nicholas is also Chairman of the Greater Geneva Bern Area (GGBa), which implements Western Switzerland's economic and investment promotion strategy. Since 2012, Nicholas has been lecturing on complex negotiation dynamics, leadership, intercultural communication and the future of international trade and global governance as part of the INP Executive Master at the Graduate Institute of International & Development Studies.

From 2013 to 2017, Nicholas was Head, Economic, Finance, Science & Innovation Section at the Embassy of Switzerland in the UK. Nicholas also oversaw the Swiss Business Hub UK and Ireland during his time at the Embassy. From 2014 to 2017, Nicholas has been Chairman of the Association of Economic Representatives in London (AERL), a platform for dialogue between high-level representatives of industry, policy-makers and government, including through the establishment of strategic partnerships with think-tanks.

From March 2002 to April 2013, Nicholas was part of Switzerland’s trade diplomacy service and was based at the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the WTO & EFTA. Nicholas was Coordinator and Vice-Chairman of the Task Force for the organisation of the 2009 and 2011 WTO Ministerial Conferences. In 2011, he was also a Member of the team of Swiss diplomats successfully mediating between Georgia and Russia. From 2007 to 2012, Nicholas was Chairman of the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). In 2009, Nicholas concluded a landmark diplomatic mediation between China and Chinese Taipei. By 2011 he had led negotiations to improve disciplines for this key world economy sector, concluding a decade-long process involving 42 countries.

The council is tasked to share knowledge and vision for blockchain technology and to find solutions to various foreseeable challenges for its adoption. The council is also responsible for launching initiatives and strategies to create future opportunities for blockchain based transformation.

Mr. Alzarouni’s role in the council is to study the impact of blockchain technology as well as explore the factors that can make multi-stakeholder projects succeed or fail. He is also studying the best approach to cryptocurrency and digital asset adoption and risks and opportunities that are associated with regulating it.

Prior to his role in the council, Mr. Alzarouni founded the Middle East’s first innovation hub for blockchain technology. The hub, named Dubai Blockchain Center, was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in May 2018. The center aims to bring together blockchain thought leaders, developers, investors, and educators. It is a place to engage with the blockchain community. The center therefore continuously hosts blockchain related courses, events, meet-ups, and hackathons.

After completing his PhD thesis in Computer Science, Pierre joined IBM almost 20 years ago. That was the time when organisations struggled to adopt the Internet and get the benefit of this change in perspective. Then, when Artificial Intelligence, Mobile as well as Cloud and to some extend Quantum changed again the way organisation had to adapt to changing ecosystems, Pierre helped them to pave their ways to get the most of each of these evolutions and moreover supported them to govern these changes.

Nowadays, Pierre focuses on Blockchain for the Swiss market and as always, he is sharing his experience and helps any organisation from the startup to NGOs via multinational companies to embrace this radical change in this world in motion. His vision is to make blockchain simple for anyone to get benefit of it.

Pierre’s motto is "No one is immune to a good idea", meaning that anyone should accept what the other has to offer on one side and one the other side that sharing is the way moving onward.

Edward Elliott is an IP Information Officer at the World Intellectual Property Organization, where he works on standardization issues. Prior to that, he spent 8 years as an Attorney Advisor at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, working in Policy and International Affairs. He covered topics in emerging technology such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and internet of things. He also created and ran the USPTO’s Patents for Humanity program, which recognizes those using patented technology to address global development challenges. His other work includes topics in standard essential patents, attorney client privilege, and IP licensing platforms. Prior to joining USPTO, he worked in the software industry in Silicon Valley.

Michelle Chivunga Nsanzumuco, a business owner has vast experience in evaluating/designing government policy frameworks, financing packages and evaluating the impacts of digital tools in the digital economy for transformation and growth. Michelle previously worked for the British Bankers Association (now UK Finance) managing a range of global finance projects working with many senior stakeholders across the corporate finance spectrum. Michelle has had engagement with groups like the OECD, Commonwealth, World Bank, World Trade organization, European Banking Federation, World Economic Forum, HM Treasury, British Chambers of Commerce, EU Commission & many government policy leads globally. Michelle is also board member on several key international boards including the African Union Digital Transformation Taskforce, Government of Bermuda Global Fintech Advisory Board and Chair of international committee of the British Blockchain Association (BBA). She is often referred to as a young thought leader in the Blockchain space having led global blockchain initiatives and a renowned global speaker on matters relating to blockchain and emerging technologies.

Mr Xiaozhun YI has been a Deputy Director-General at the World Trade Organization since October 2013.
Xiaozhun Yi has extensive experience in world trade and economics, both as a senior government official and subsequently as China's ambassador to the WTO.
He represented China as a key negotiator in China’s WTO accession process, making an important contribution to the negotiations.
Prior to becoming China's ambassador to the WTO in 2011, Mr Yi was Assistant Minister and subsequently China's Vice Minister of Commerce in charge of multilateral and regional trade negotiations and cooperation. Besides his contribution to China’s WTO accession, he played a leading role in negotiating numerous free trade agreements (FTAs), including the China-ASEAN agreement, China's first FTA. He also worked as a diplomat at the Chinese Embassy in the United States for more than four years from the late 1980s to the early 1990s.
Mr Yi obtained a Master's degree in economics from Nankai University in China in 1999.

Dr.Wei Lingling has worked at Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences as full time professor and taken the lead for the development of AgriGarden Protected Horticulture Technology Co.Ltd. She also served as its founding Managing Director for over 10 years. Dr. Wei also serve as Director for National Agricultural Science Innovation Park to test ICT technologies in application agriculture particularly for precision farming and protected agriculture in China. She is a leading entrepreneur in science based smart agribusiness at CAAS.

AgriGarden was founded in 2002, which is a subsidiary of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. As an international platform enterprise for modern agricultural system integration and innovation, AgriGarden operates National Agriculture Technology Innovation Park and provides the services for industry agriculture, urban agriculture, city farming and has formed successful "modern agriculture +" model.

Ruidan CHEN worked for HP and IBM as the managing consultant for 10 years and the dean of HP IT Management School in China for 5 years. Then he led an AI company for 3 years. Now He is the General Manager of AgriGarden which is a modern agriculture whole supply chain service provider.

AgriGarden was founded in 2002, which is a subsidiary of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. As an international platform enterprise for modern agricultural system integration and innovation, AgriGarden operates National Agriculture Technology Innovation Park and provides the services for industry agriculture, urban agriculture, city farming and has formed successful "modern agriculture +" model.

Donia Hammami is an independent advisor on sustainable development and international trade – covering trade facilitation, illicit trade, and application of blockchain technologies in the trade and supply chain domain. Among others, she currently serves as a strategic advisor to the IOTA Foundation – the creator of the Tangle, a permissionless, multi-dimensional DLT – and as VP Trade & Customs Consulting at KGH Customs Services – supporting governments and companies in strengthening their trade performance and border management.

Prior to this, she led all Tax, Customs and Trade Facilitation policy work at the International Chamber of Commerce where together with the WEF, the US Chamber of Commerce and the Governments of USA, UK, Germany, Canada and Australia she also co-founded the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation – a unique public-private partnership to support implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

Ms Hammami served as Vice-Chair of the World Customs Organization’s business advisory group and previously held several positions at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.