Eurasian Balkan Business Forum 2026 – Connecting Businesses Across the UAE, GCC, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Balkans

Professor of Sustainability at the American University of Sharjah, he previously served as the UAE’s Minister of Infrastructure Development (2013–2020) and Minister of Climate Change and Environment (2020–2021). In government, he led major national infrastructure projects including inter-emirate highways, housing programmes and federal facilities. As Minister of Climate Change and Environment, he advanced the country’s environmental agenda, contributed to the UAE’s successful bid to host COP28, and launched national strategies on air quality and food security.

Beyond public office, he has played a central role in shaping aviation and transport infrastructure, from the expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport to the establishment of the UAE national railway network. Today he focuses on education and knowledge transfer, teaching postgraduate engineers, delivering lectures worldwide, and serving as Chair of the Board at Heriot-Watt University’s Centre of Excellence in Smart Construction. His contributions to engineering and sustainability have been recognised with an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University and a Senior Fellowship from the American University of Sharjah.

He is also the author of Climate Change Enigma: A Delicate Balance and more than 50 articles exploring climate change, sustainability, identity and heritage. His mission is to shape the next generation of sustainability leaders and drive innovation that strengthens resilience in housing, infrastructure and global climate policy.

H.E. Rauan Zhumabek is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Arab Emirates. Born on August 24, 1981, he graduated in 2003 from the Ablai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages. He began his diplomatic career in 2004 as a referent in the Department of Asia and Africa at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, later serving in various roles at the MFA headquarters and in Kazakhstan’s missions in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. From 2014 to 2019, he worked in the Presidential Administration’s Foreign Policy Center as an inspector and head of sector. He served as Consul General of Kazakhstan in Dubai from 2019 to 2024, and, prior to his ambassadorial appointment, was Director of the MFA’s Department for the Near and Middle East and Africa from February 2024. He holds the diplomatic rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Class II and speaks Arabic and English.

Henrik Winther is the owner and President of Tigrus Restaurant Holding. A pioneer in the industry, Henrik has 45+ years’ experience building scalable, premium restaurant brands around the world, from the USA (Texas, New Mexico, California, Utah) to Europe – including France, Denmark, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Slovenia and Austria

He is considered a pioneer of the restaurant industry in Eastern Europe, having opened more than 450 restaurants in the last 30 years, including the most recognizable and well-loved brands in those markets. He has created 15 franchise brands, and brought on board over 40 franchisees, who opened over 250 restaurants under him

A master of scale and operations, Henrik created the largest and most comprehensive training center and staff development system in Eastern Europe, using it to train over 40,000 employees in his customer experience ethos, and bringing Western service standards to the ex-Soviet Union after the fall of the Wall.

In addition to building successful businesses, Henrik is also dedicated to ensuring they are sustainable. In fact, Tigrus Restaurant Holding is the first and only restaurant holding to become CO2 neutral in Eastern Europe. Further proving Henrik’s commitment to conservation, he is the founder of Tigrus project, the tiger conservation project www.tigrus-project.com

Neven Roginić is the President of the UAE-Croatia Business Club and founder of Format 3D and L33T Digital Agency. With a strong presence in the Middle East, Neven has positioned Format 3D as a leading architectural visualisation company working with the best real estate developers and investment firms. The company has offices in Europe and Dubai and serves clients worldwide with advanced 3D visualisation and architectural solutions.

In addition to Format 3D, Neven is co-founder of Advising Solutions, a global consulting firm with over 50 experts specialising in industries such as healthcare, finance and technology, helping companies achieve sustainable growth through tailored strategies.

Neven’s academic background includes master’s degrees in civil engineering and agriculture from the University of Zagreb. He was also enrolled in a doctoral programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which has contributed to his expertise in innovation and global business.

At Format 3D, Neven has led projects for high-profile clients across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. Through his work with L33T Digital Agency, he has helped international brands such as Rolex, Apple, SAP and Audi achieve their digital marketing goals.

As President of the UAE-Croatia Business Club, Neven is committed to promoting bilateral trade and cultural co-operation between Croatia and the UAE. The club actively promotes Croatia as an attractive destination for Emirati investment and supports Croatian companies entering the UAE market, with a focus on sectors such as real estate, tourism, energy, agriculture and food production.

With over 20 years of experience in managing international projects and building global partnerships, Neven will continue to create opportunities and facilitate co-operation between Croatia and the UAE.

Mr. Victor Haruta is founder and CEO of Haruta Advisory LLC, a custom business consulting service for internationalization of businesses, having a number of clients from the UAE, Romania, Moldova, United Kingdom, Norway and other countries. Also, in 2023, Mr. Haruta was elected as Secretary General of Moldova Norway Research and Business Development Council, being a founding member of this entity, and in January 2024, Mr Haruta was elected as Vice-chairman and Head of the Government relations Committee of the Eurasia Gulf Business Platform.

Victor Haruta was the first resident Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the United Arab Emirates, posted on the 23rd of September 2018, and served for the full mandate of 4 years. Mr. Victor Haruta was also appointed by the Government of the Republic of Moldova as the General Commissioner of Moldova to Expo 2020 Dubai – the World Greatest Show, successfully organizing the participation of the Republic of Moldova at this global event. Moreover, during his post in Abu Dhabi, Mr. Victor Haruta was appointed as non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Victor Haruta was a career diplomat who started diplomatic activity in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova in early 2006 in the Department for Regional Cooperation, coordinating the economic cooperation of the Republic of Moldova in the wider Black Sea Area, also being the representative of the Republic of Moldova to a number of working groups, steering committees, and governing bodies of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) with Headquarters in Istanbul (Turkey) and Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM with Headquarters in Kiev (Ukraine).

First diplomatic posting abroad Mr. Victor Haruta had in Prague, where he served as the Consul in the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova to the Czech Republic, also leading the Economic Department of the Embassy. During the years 2009-2012, Mr. Haruta was elected member of the board and then Vice-president of the Consular Corps Association. From 2012 to 2017 Mr. Victor Haruta’s activity in the diplomatic service was concentrated on consular domain, serving as Acting Director for Consular Law and Consular Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova for two years, and next three years serving as the Consul in the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2014-2017), also being representative of Moldova in Ireland.

After the posting in London, Mr. Victor Haruta returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, being appointed as Director for Economic Cooperation with the European Union (2017-2018), being responsible for implementation of the economic part of the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and European Union.

Mr. Victor Haruta has two master’s degrees, one in European Studies (Specialization – European Financial and Tax Law) from the University Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Iasi, Romania (2004-2006), and other in International Relations from the Academy of Public Administration in Chisinau, Moldova (2006-2009). Also, Mr. Haruta has a bachelor’s in law (specialty – International Trade Law) from the State University of Moldova (1999-2004).

Mr. Shakhrukh Rakhimov serves as the Director of the Agency for International Cooperation and Development under the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Appointed to this role by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, he brings extensive experience from various leadership positions within the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade and other key organizations.

In his current capacity, Mr. Rakhimov is responsible for enhancing the efficiency of investment projects funded by external borrowings, overseeing pre-project evaluations, and ensuring transparent management and monitoring of their implementation. His work is crucial in facilitating international cooperation and driving development initiatives for Uzbekistan.

Nawar Abdul Wahed is a seasoned business consultant in Russian-speaking businesses in the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries. With extensive government and business connections, he navigates the intricate landscape of the region effortlessly.

Currently serving as the General Manager for Arabian MICE and a partner in Valencia Marble Trading LLC and Chief Executive Officer at EurAsia Gulf Business Network, Nawar also holds the esteemed position of Business Ambassador with the Association Russian Club, “Association for the Promotion of Economic, Trade, and Business Relations with the Middle East.”

Over the past two decades, he has been actively engaged in various business ventures across multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, and Georgia. His expertise spans industries such as pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, conferences, information and communications technology, and hospitality, among others.

In addition to his impressive achievements, he is also an accomplished public and networking professional. With his charismatic presence and captivating communication skills, he has been invited to speak at numerous prestigious events and conferences, sharing his expertise and insights with industry professionals.

Nawar’s academic prowess is backed by a master’s degree in economics and social history from Oxford University, enabling him to bring a holistic approach to his consulting work. Additionally, his fluency in Arabic, Russian, and English languages allow for seamless communication across diverse cultures and markets.

Aliona Zaleskaya is a media professional who has Co-Founded all women’s media group, Prickly Pear Production; As Director at WeTel World, hosts television and media programs ranging from WeTel TV’s weekly talk show “Flair For Flaws” and Blockchain Coffee Talks, the UAE’s first and only show dedicated to this area of expertise. She is known for her interviews on Yalla TV and Sustainable Times Magazine; glamorous modeling work on the catwalk and being the subject of multiple fashion photography work.

In 2022 she was featured as CIO Times’ Most Significant Business Leaders Everyone Should Know in 2022.

Aliona is a sought after Master of Ceremonies and a frequent MC of business events both locally and internationally; a number of African Emirati Conferences; TechKogo Conferences, Deal Makers, UAE – Singapore International Business Matching Summit, BIGO LIVE, as well as a host of others. She is the winner of her native Belarus’ first ever reality television program; and in 2022 was awarded the UAE Media Influencer Award.

She is frequent panel Speaker and Moderator at C Level events, to name few – MALT Congress, De Montfort University Dubai, Derivia Middle East.

With a career spanning both sides of the lens, she possesses a rare understanding of the intricacies of media production. From scripting to shooting, directing to editing, she has honed her craft with precision and passion, earning accolades and admiration along the way.

Ida Pandur is a dynamic entrepreneur and a leading voice in the digital and Web3 landscape, currently serving as the CEO of NEAR Balkans and Tekuno.app, and a Supervisory Board Member at Alice in Blockchains. Based in Dubai, Ida is dedicated to building innovative teams and businesses, leveraging her expertise in digital strategy, marketing, and cutting-edge technology. She is a passionate advocate for the ethical integration of blockchain and AI, actively shaping the future of the Web3 ecosystem in the Balkans and globally.

Alibek Almabekov is the Chairman of the Kazakhstan Business Council in Dubai, actively promoting trade and investment ties between the business communities of Kazakhstan and the UAE. He is also a representative of the Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce, participating in diplomatic and economic events aimed at developing cooperation between the countries.