Joud Aboud, EVP of Ghassan Aboud Group, and Emirates Family Office Association host landmark GCC-Asia Cross-Industry Leadership Event ahead of Token2049
In a further demonstration of the UAE's growing role as a global hub for cross-border collaboration, Joud Aboud, EVP of Ghassan Aboud Group, and Emirates Family Office Association hosted a high-profile forum on 28 April bringing together members of the royal family, high-level family office figures, tech pioneers and next-generation leaders from across Asia and the GCC.
The evening, titled 'Where Legacy Meets Vision', was also supported by Looking Glass and celebrated heritage, innovation, and the strengthening ties between two dynamic regions and generations of business leaders. The gathering reflected the UAE's commitment to fostering deeper Asia-Middle East ties, particularly in family business, innovation and investment – sectors that are critical to regional economic diversification and long-term prosperity.
Distinguished guests at the event included H.E. Dr Ahmed Al Banna, as well as Peter Noszek, Co-Founder of SuperAI and TOKEN2049, and Adam Ladjadj, Founder and Vice-Chairman of Emirates Family Office Association.
H.E. Dr Ahmed Al Banna, Chairman of Emirates Family Office Association, said: 'I would like to extend special thanks to Ms Aboud and Ghassan Aboud Group for making this fantastic initiative a reality. This event, in partnership with Emirates Family Office Association, has allowed us to convene an incredible group of people together in an inspiring environment where they can share their abundance of knowledge, vision, and ideas.
'There is so much we can learn from each other, across regions, across generations, and across industries. It is an exciting time to be in the GCC as we explore new opportunities here and in the dynamic Asian region.'
Joud Aboud, Executive Vice President of the Ghassan Aboud Group, said: 'This gathering is a bridge — not just between continents, but between minds and souls. It is a testament to our shared commitment to honor the past while fearlessly embracing the future.'
Peter Noszek, Co-Founder of SuperAI and TOKEN2049, added: 'From Dubai to SuperAI Singapore, we're advancing a shared vision – one championed by Emad Mostaque, a frontier tech visionary – of an 'intelligent internet' where AI, robotics and decentralised technologies link Asia and the Middle East at the frontier of innovation.'
The event served as a precursor to TOKEN2049 Dubai, the global crypto and Web3 conference being held from 30 April to 1 May, and positioned the UAE at the intersection of legacy and frontier technology.
Senior figures from leading Asian families and business conglomerates were also in attendance at the exclusive, closed-door event at One&Only The Palm Dubai. The evening included curated cultural performances, strategic discussions, and new joint initiatives focused on family business legacy, regional innovation ecosystems, and youth-led enterprise.
Comments are closed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economy ME
14 minutes ago
- Economy ME
Dubai property prices stand 30.5 percent above 2014 market peak in July amid record mortgage volumes
Dubai's property market continued its upward momentum in July 2025, posting a more measured price increase of 0.99 percent following June's stronger gain of 1.71 percent. According to the Property Monitor Dynamic Price Index (DPI), average property prices now stand at AED1,625 per square foot, 30.5 percent above the previous market peak in September 2014. A deeper look into the sub-categories of the index reveals that apartment price growth is softening, while the trajectory of villas and townhouses is moving with greater momentum. Sales volumes to set a new all-time high in 2025 A total of 20,116 sales transactions were recorded in July, reflecting a 21.3 percent increase from the previous month. This marks yet another record-breaking month, continuing the 2025 trend of each month surpassing its previous all-time high. 'While the sharp month-on-month jump may appear dramatic at first glance, it is more likely a normalization following June's dip, which was influenced by reduced working days and many extending time off around the Eid break,' the report noted. When viewed in the context of Q2's overall volume trend, the combined figures for June and July suggest a smoothing effect rather than a sudden spike in Dubai's property market activity. Residential transactions, encompassing apartments, townhouses, and villas, accounted for the majority of sales at 93.7 percent. The highest transacted commercial property types were office spaces, vacant land, and hotel apartments and retail spaces. Year-to-date sales transaction volumes have surpassed just over 119,000 and are over 23 percent higher compared to the same period in 2024. At the current pace of transaction velocity, we are on track to see year-end sales volumes surpass 200,000 and set a new all-time high. Mortgage transactions set a new record with 4,891 loans Mortgage transaction volumes across Dubai's property market surged in July, setting a new record with a total of 4,891 loans—a 9.2 percent increase month-on-month. New purchase money mortgages accounted for 45.6 percent of activity, up 2.3 percent from June, with average loan amounts of AED1.8 million and a loan-to-value ratio of 73.7 percent, slightly above June's 73.5 percent. Although the loan-to-value ratios edged up slightly in July, they remain lower than the historical average of 75–77 percent, likely reflecting the ongoing influence of Central Bank measures restricting fee and cost financing. These tighter conditions raise the upfront cash hurdle for buyers, but the fact that mortgage volumes hit a new record suggests strong confidence among buyers and a more resilient, well-capitalized demand base. Meanwhile, loans for refinancing and equity release saw their market share increase by 7.5 percent to 38.3 percent. The remaining 16.1 percent was due to bulk mortgages—those taken by developers and larger investors with multiple units. In July, Dubai's property market recorded 12,595 off-plan Oqood transactions, a marked increase of 28.3 percent from the previous month. In tandem with the increase in volume, the overall market share also rose to 62.6 percent, up 3.4 percent month-on-month. Meanwhile, title deed sale volumes also witnessed a monthly increase, climbing by 11.2 percent and now account for 37.4 percent of all sales transactions. July marks 50 new launches with over 13,800 residential units Dubai's new property pipeline showed no signs of slowing in July, as more than 50 launches brought over 13,800 residential units to market with a combined estimated gross sales value of AED38 billion. This brings the year-to-date tally to nearly 93,000 units and AED270 billion in potential sales, levels that would have once defined a full-year cycle but are now being reached in just seven months. Apartments accounted for 95 percent of July's new supply, with villas and townhouses contributing 2.5 percent each. While the continued wave of new supply underscores developer momentum, it is also beginning to test the depth of demand. With many launches offering comparable concepts and pricing, standing out has become more difficult. The result is a market where buyer urgency is easing, and projects that once sold out in hours are now taking longer to move. 'Rather than a sign of weakening demand, this shift reflects a market that is becoming less hype-driven and more value-focused—one where buyers are taking time to evaluate, compare, and invest more deliberately. Of course, the possibility that seasonal effects are also playing a role shouldn't be ruled out, particularly during the traditionally quieter summer months,' the report added. Read: Saudi Arabia to deliver over 40,000 housing units across 24 residential projects for citizens Evolving dynamics to test market's adaptability As the third quarter gets underway, Dubai's property market continues to operate at historically high levels of activity, but signs of strain are beginning to emerge beneath the surface. Price growth remains positive, and transaction volumes are on pace to break new records, yet the pace of new supply—particularly from the off-plan segment—raises questions about the market's capacity to absorb this wave in a sustainable manner. With nearly 93,000 units launched year-to-date, buyer selectivity is rising, and early indicators of softening absorption are becoming more pronounced. Developers will need to shift focus from velocity to viability, with increased emphasis on product differentiation, delivery timelines and realistic pricing strategies. Meanwhile, mortgage market dynamics remain a key factor to monitor. Although borrowing activity is strong, the persistence of lower loan-to-value ratios suggests that affordability pressures may start to shape demand more directly in the months ahead. While the market remains fundamentally strong, sustaining this momentum will depend on aligning supply with end-user demand and placing greater focus on product differentiation and genuine value. The second half of the year will reveal whether the market can adapt to these evolving dynamics or begin to encounter meaningful friction.
Khaleej Times
14 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Hub71 attracts 13 AI-focused start-ups in first half of 2025
Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a leading global destination for ambitious projects in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, supported by advanced infrastructure, progressive legislation, and a thriving investment environment. This has been reflected in the steady growth of advanced technology companies in the emirate. Ahmad Ali Alwan, Chief Executive Officer of the global tech ecosystem Hub71, said that the platform successfully attracted 13 new AI-driven start-ups during the first half of 2025. With this addition, the number of AI-focused start-ups under Hub71 has risen to 53, representing top talent and entrepreneurship from around the world. This growth underscores the emirate's status as a global centre for digital innovation and a preferred destination for high-value investments in this vital sector. Alwan explained that Hub71 plays a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of these companies by providing specialised mentorship, facilitating market access, and opening new avenues for regional and global expansion. As these companies advance, he noted, their impact extends to the wider economy through the creation of high-quality jobs, knowledge exchange, and support for the growth of strategic sectors, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's role as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and advanced technologies. The list of new companies joining in the first half of the year includes Aurem, CambioML, Fundbot Technologies, Mithry, New Path Bio, Nodeshift, Onloop, Redbrick, Simpleem, Skipr, Vivan Therapeutics, xMap, and Taxo.
Khaleej Times
14 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Mena DDoS attacks up 236% in Q2 2025, a record breaking quarter
The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region experienced a 236 per cent surge in DDoS attacks during the second quarter of 2025 amid escalating regional conflicts, data showed on Wednesday. This is the highest number of attacks in the region's history, according to StormWall's latest threat analysis. Geopolitical tensions from the Israel-Palestine and Iran-Israel conflicts drove hacktivists to account for 73 per cent of all malicious traffic, with government infrastructure bearing the brunt of the attacks, StormWall report says. StormWall, which operates dedicated scrubbing centres in the Middle East with over 5 Tbps of combined filtering capacity, analysed attack patterns across its regional network during the second quarter of 2025. The data shows a big change in how attacks are done and who they target. There was a 162 per cent increase in API-layer attacks and a ninefold increase in probing attacks. Probing attacks are used by hackers to find weak spots in the system before they launch a full attack. The financial sector was the vertical industry most targeted by cyberattacks in Mena (38 per cent). There was a 26 per cent increase in cyberattacks on this sector compared to last year. Government services were the second most attacked sector (16 per cent), with a 53 per cent increase. Telecommunications (14 per cent) was the third most targeted industry. From a geographic perspective, Saudi Arabia was the most targeted country, with 22 per cent of attacks. Israel's share increased from 11 per cent to 19 per cent from Q1 to Q2 2025, while Iran's share increased from 16 per cent to 17 per cent. Furthermore, attacks are getting more sophisticated, which makes it harder for defenders to protect against them. API attacks now generate an average of just 4.7 Gbps of traffic, but they can bring down targets using only 12 per cent of the traffic volume required for traditional floods. Most API attacks used botnets with about 140,000 compromised devices, and HTTP floods were the most common way to attack APIs, accounting for 48 per cent of all API-targeting methods. 'Attackers used to rely on a lot of traffic, but now they're going after specific targets,' says Ramil Khantimirov, the founder of StormWall. 'This takes 88 per cent less traffic to have the same impact. It has become very important to review and update DDoS defenses to maintain a good security posture.'
