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Event

Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue Returns to Oman: A Cornerstone for Driving Innovation and Future-Ready Talent

Crafting Dialogue is honored to host the 2nd Annual Oman Edition of the Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue, taking place on November 11-12, 2025: a definitive platform accelerating Oman’s digital transformation and human capital development in alignment with the ambitious goals of Oman Vision 2040. Set against the distinguished backdrop of Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, this landmark event convenes government leaders, academic pioneers, C-suite executives, and human resources visionaries to ignite skills, empower leaders, and shape the future of work in Oman. 

As Oman advances its economic diversification and embraces the digital economy, the Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue stands as a pivotal gathering that directly supports the pillars of innovation, knowledge economy, and workforce readiness outlined in Oman Vision 2040. Reflecting these priorities, the 2025 edition, themed “Skills Igniting Future Readiness | Empowering Leaders | Talent, Technology & Culture” encapsulates the event’s mission to equip Oman’s leaders and professionals with the critical skills, innovative mindset, and collaborative spirit essential to thrive amid rapid technological evolution and shifting market demands. 

This year’s dialogue brings together an elite convergence of thought leaders and practitioners shaping the future of work across Oman and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Distinguished speakers include Dr. Salim Al-Shuaili, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies Projects at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology; Dr. Zamzam al Lamkiya, Director of Capacity Building and Talent Management at the Ministry of Labor; Dr. Fathiya Al Rashdi, Vice President for Program Affairs at the Royal Academy of Management; Abdulla Mohd Al-Khalifa, Human Resources Director at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar; Asma Al-Ghabshi, Country Manager of Human Resources at Shell Development Oman; and Nawal Al Barwani, Human Capital Manager at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of Oman. 

Their participation underscores the dialogue’s commitment to fostering a dynamic, collaborative ecosystem where talent development, technology, and leadership converge to accelerate Oman’s digital economy and innovation agenda. The dialogue’s focus on bridging the digital skills gap, fostering lifelong learning, and nurturing leadership excellence resonates deeply with Oman’s national priorities. 

As Dr. Fathiya Al Rashdi highlights, “In a world where change is the only constant factor, staying curious, staying relevant through continuous learning is the ultimate talent.” This insight underscores the dialogue’s emphasis on adaptability and continuous professional development as foundational pillars of future workforce readiness. 

Echoing this collaborative spirit, Nuha AlHejji, an AI Education and Capability Building Leader from Saudi Arabia and featured speaker, reminds us that “Collaboration is not coordination; it is co-creation. When knowledge flows freely across sectors, nations move from preparing talent for the future to preparing the future for their talent.” This philosophy lies at the heart of the dialogue’s approach, emphasizing the power of cross-sector partnerships and knowledge exchange in building a resilient and innovative talent ecosystem. 

Mohammed Akkar, CEO of Jisr and a leading voice in the GCC, further inspires the dialogue’s mission by stating, “The GCC has a unique opportunity to lead the global conversation on the future of work. Let’s build a future that is not just technologically advanced, but also human-centered.” His words resonate with Oman’s ambition to balance technological progress with inclusive, people-first development. 

The dialogue’s impact is amplified by a robust partner ecosystem that exemplifies Oman’s collaborative ethos. The event is supported by the Oman Society for Human Resource Management (OSHRM), whose dedication to advancing HR practices in Oman is instrumental in shaping the dialogue’s success. Franklin Covey joins as the Silver Partner, bringing global expertise in leadership development and organizational effectiveness. Perky People serves as the People Experience Partner, contributing innovative approaches to employee engagement and talent experience. The Gold Partner, Jisr, is redefining how organizations lead digital transformation – empowering business leaders and employees through an integrated, people-centered approach to modern HR. 

Beyond traditional conferences, the Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue offers a dynamic format featuring national and international case studies, inspiring keynotes, panel sessions, strategic networking opportunities, and focused roundtable discussions. This multi-dimensional engagement ensures participants gain meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and actionable insights to lead talent transformation within their organizations and sectors. 

The dialogue is more than an event; it is a catalyst for change. By fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning, it supports Oman’s vision of a workforce that is agile, skilled, and future-ready. The event also highlights the critical role of supportive government policies and enhanced access to resources in creating an enabling environment for innovation and workforce growth. 

Reflecting on what Crafting Dialogue aims to achieve with this edition, Piyush Gupta, Co-Founder & Director of Partnerships at Crafting Dialogue, said: “The #dtecosystem event is the embodiment of our mission to create purposeful dialogues that drive real-world transformation. It’s about connecting leadership ambition with the practical pathways to build a future-ready digital economy.” 

As Oman positions itself as a leader in the digital economy, the dialogue offers a unique forum for stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to unite in shaping the future of work, workplace, and workforce. It serves as a call to action for all sectors to collaborate in building a future-ready Oman – one where talent, technology, and culture converge to ignite sustainable economic growth and national prosperity. 

by Vivek Kumar

W7Worldwide proudly announces that Abdulrahman Inayat has been recognized as PR Leader of the Year at the prestigious Athar Festival 2025, in a category presented in association with the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) — the global representative body for PR associations and consultancies. Representing the world’s leading PR consultancies and national associations across more than 80 countries, ICCO serves as the global voice of the public relations industry. This recognition underscores Inayat’s exceptional leadership and W7Worldwide’s continued contribution to advancing the communications landscape across Saudi Arabia, the MENA region, and international markets. “This achievement is not only personal; it reflects the collective dedication of our W7Worldwide team and the transformation we are witnessing across the Saudi communication landscape,” said Abdulrahman Inayat . “We are proud to contribute to shaping a globally competitive PR industry that mirrors Vision 2030’s ambition and creativity.” This honor adds to a recent series of distinctions recognizing Abdulrahman Inayat’s leadership in the communications sector. He was previously elected Chairman of the Regional Board of the International Public Relations Network (IPRN) for the Middle East and North Africa. He also made history as the youngest board member of PRCA MENA and was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award, further underscoring his influence across the regional marketing and communications landscape. Meanwhile, W7Worldwide has received over 30 awards in recent years across local, regional, and global platforms, being recognized among the leading communications consultancies in the region. “Abdulrahman’s recognition as PR Leader of the Year exemplifies the excellence and ambition driving the Middle East’s creative marketing and communications community forward,” said Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Motivate Media Group and Festival Co-Founder. W7Worldwide has evolved into one of the region’s most respected homegrown communications consultancies, earning international acclaim for its strategic thinking, innovative storytelling, and deep cultural understanding. The agency continues to lead the way in positioning Saudi and MENA communications excellence on the global stage. About W7Worldwide W7Worldwide is a homegrown, award-winning communications consultancy known for its strategic insights, thought leadership, and culturally grounded storytelling. With a proven track record of partnering with more than 100 clients across diverse sectors, the firm has built deep expertise in reputation management and strategic communication, helping organizations strengthen trust and visibility. Operating across the MENA region and international markets, W7Worldwide continues to elevate Saudi communications leadership on the global stage.

by Vivek Kumar

The inaugural edition of CARE (Climate Action, Renewable Energy & Sustainability) forum series by Trescon, is set to become the MENA region’s most influential platform for sustainability investment and climate innovation. The forum will unite regional and global leaders driving the Middle East’s clean energy transition. Co-located with DATE, a Digitization, AI & Emerging Tech Summit, CARE MENA will take place on 26-27 November at the iconic Madinat Jumeirah. “With the GCC committing billions to renewable infrastructure, CARE MENA offers a unique, action-oriented platform where capital meets climate ambition,” said Naveen Bharadwaj, Group CEO, Trescon. He continued, “From solar and hydrogen to green finance and industrial decarbonisation, the series will spotlight investable opportunities that support net-zero goals and drive regional climate action.” Talking about the series, Jens Y. Zimmermann, President, Orios Venture Partners, said, “Looking forward to CARE and learning more about new developments, trends & investment opportunities in climate & renewable energy.”  For start-ups, scale-ups and climate tech ventures, CARE MENA is a launchpad and a great opportunity to secure investments.  “I’m looking forward to CARE as a platform to uncover investment opportunities in climate tech and renewables,” said Kevin Holliday, CEO, Venturebeam. Ahmed Refaie, CEO & Global CIO, G.P.I. Global Partners Investments Limited said, “CARE gives an opportunity for climate finance and investment practicing professionals to deploy capital in an environmentally impactful and responsible way.” Whether seeking Series A investment, strategic partnerships or market access, participants will gain direct exposure to venture capital firms, institutional investors, family offices, and sovereign funds. Backed by some of the region’s most prominent investors — from the Royal Group and Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) to ARM Holding, Venturesouq, Plug and Play, and others — CARE MENA is set to spark high impact collaborations. Talking about the opportunities at CARE, Sofia Kostiunina, Managing Director, 100VP commented, “From the VC perspective, I see CARE as an excellent platform to identify breakthrough opportunities in renewable energy and climate tech.” Flagship initiatives include: CARE ESG Awards, hosted by Trescon and supported by ESG MENA, will also spotlight and celebrate the “Responsible Investor of the Year” and the “Young Sustainability Pioneer of the Year”. Sessions at the summit will explore regulatory reform, capital flows and technology deployment, with a sharp focus on commercial viability and regional scalability. With the help of its sponsors including Emtribe, Cero Hero, Enjazponic, S&P Global and others, CARE MENA will also feature investor roundtables, pitch sessions and partnership forums — ensuring that conversations lead to commitments. For founders, it’s a chance to pitch to decision-makers. For corporates, it’s a front-row seat to the next wave of green innovation. And for investors, it’s access to the region’s most promising ventures and infrastructure projects.

by Vivek Kumar

TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025, India’s largest deeptech summit, set the tonefor one of the nation’s most significant science and technology developments — the launch of the ₹1lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund by Prime Minister Narendra Modi atthe Emerging Science and Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025. At the two-day TiEcon Delhi-NCR, a keynote fireside conversation titled “Quantum Leap: AcceleratingIndia’s Tech Sovereignty” brought together Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science& Technology (DST- GOI), and Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR. Thediscussion highlighted India’s focus on strengthening deep-tech capabilities through collaborativeR&D, private sector participation, and startup-led innovation – a vision that aligns closely with theobjectives of the newly launched RDI Fund. Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, GOI said, “India stands at adefining moment in its deep-tech journey. The Research, Development and Innovation Fund is afirst-of-its-kind initiative to empower corporates, industries, and startups across sunrise sectors suchas quantum, AI, semiconductors, biotech, and advanced manufacturing. With liberalized norms and atwo-tier fund management model, it aims to catalyse private sector R&D, promote IP creation withinIndia, and strengthen our path toward technological sovereignty. The government’s role is to enable,not control – fostering risk-taking and long-term R&D investment that builds India’s innovationstrength.” Sharing his perspective, Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR, said, “India’sambition to achieve tech sovereignty depends on uniting scientific excellence with entrepreneurialexecution. By deepening collaboration between academia, research, and startups, we can turncutting-edge discoveries into world-class products. TiE Delhi-NCR continues to be a catalyst for thisecosystem, connecting innovators, investors, and policymakers to drive India’s next wave oftechnological breakthroughs.”The session followed the inaugural keynote by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister ofCommerce and Industries, who emphasised the government’s vision to build a deep-tech ecosystempowered by innovation and youth engagement. Organised by TiE Delhi-NCR, TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 brought together policymakers, investors,founders, and global thought leaders to discuss India’s next growth frontier in technology andentrepreneurship. For over 25 years, TiE Delhi-NCR has been a driving force in India’s innovationlandscape, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and investment that continue to shape the country’stransformation into a global innovation powerhouse.About TiE Delhi-NCR TiE Delhi-NCR is one of the most active and vibrant chapters of TiE Global, dedicated to fosteringentrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education, and funding. With a legacy spanningover two decades, TiE Delhi-NCR continues to empower innovators and founders, driving India’stransformation into a global innovation powerhouse.