With advancements in world transformation, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and more, there has never been a better or more challenging time for leaders of the global innovation and technology ecosystem. The Global Science, Technology and Innovation Leaders Committee (Science, Technology and Innovation Commission) of the World Business Angels Investment Forum gathers some of the world’s most influential of these leaders to explore today’s biggest technological challenges, foster deep collaboration, and generate new ideas.
The Commission aims to connect innovators with smart finance, creating a better environment for innovation, helping inventors commercialize their inventions, fostering the kind of creative thinking that leads to innovation by open learning and skill development, and accelerating technology transfer around the world.
An affiliated partner of the G20 the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), World Business Angels investment Forum announces that HRH Princess Dr Nisreen El-Hashemite of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust and WBAF High Commissioner, known worldwide as ‘the science princess’, to chair the Global Science, Technology and Innovation Leaders Committee (Science, Technology and Innovation Commission). Dr El-Hashemite, the granddaughter of Faysal I, the first king of modern Iraq; is a renowned doctor and scientist. It was upon her recommendation that United Nations declared February 11 as ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’. Dr El-Hashemite established the World Women’s Health and Development Forum.
As the founder and president of the Women in Science International League, she is an advocate for gender equality in science. She is associated with the UN’s sustainability 2030 agenda, where she works towards equality in Science, Technology and Innovation to achieve the 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals. In 2015, Dr El-Hashemite was credited with creating the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Global board members of the Commission:
- H.E. Prof. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, 6th President of the Republic of Mauritius
- H.E. Prof Inderjit Singh, Former Parliament Member of the Republic of Singapore & Co-president of the World Entrepreneurship Forum
- H.E. Noomane Fehri, Former ICT & Digital Economy Minister of the Republic of Tunisia
- Dr Narong Sirilertworakul, President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) of Thailand
- Dr Paul Doany, Former CEO of the Turk Telekom
- Josep M. Piqué, 17th President International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP)
- Marie-Christine Oghly, World President, World Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM)
- Paolo Sironi, Global Thought Leader & IBM Senior Advisor for Fintech
- Sabur Khan, Chairman of the Daffodil International University Bangladesh
Baybars Altuntas, WBAF Chairman, says, ‘’I believe that the Global Science, Technology and Innovation Leaders Committee (Science, Technology and Innovation Commission) under the leadership of HRH Princess Dr Nisreen El-Hashemite will bring a wide range of opportunities for startups, scaleups and high-growth businesses that are innovating in science and technology industries and that more doors will open for economic development. Innovators around the world in science and technology will now be able to connect more easily with the global investors market, which will in turn open up splendid opportunities for the world economy.’’
About the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF)
An affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is an international organisation aiming to ease access to finance for businesses from start-up to scale-up, with the ultimate goal of generating more jobs and more social justice worldwide. It is committed to collaborating globally to empower world economic development by creating innovative financial instruments for innovators, start-ups, and SMEs. The Forum interacts with leaders in all areas of society, first and foremost in business and political spheres, to help assess needs and establish goals, bearing in mind that the public interest is of paramount importance. WBAF engages a wide range of institutions, both public and private, local and international, commercial and academic to help shape the global agenda.
About GPFI
The Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) is an inclusive platform for all G20 countries, interested non-G20 countries, and relevant stakeholders to carry forward work on financial inclusion, including implementation of the G20 Financial Inclusion Action Plan endorsed at the G20 Summit in Seoul. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is the Honorary Patron of the GPFI.
