Indiaspora Forum for Good (IFG) 2025, a three-day global summit, will take place from February 23-25, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, bringing together prominent Indian diaspora leaders from over 30 countries to drive meaningful discussions and actionable solutions to pressing global challenges. On February 26th, Indiaspora will host the Global AI Summit at the Museum of the Future, in Dubai.
IFG 2025 will convene Fortune 500 CEOs, political and government leaders, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, scholars, healthcare and climate experts, artists, journalists, and young leaders to address key issues. They include: Development of responsible AI solutions; Addressing Climate Resilience; Global Public Infrastructure; Fostering new partnerships between Philanthropy & Social Entrepreneurship; Diaspora Trade & Investment; Celebrating Heritage & Culture.
Actor and Entrepreneur, UAE, Vivek Oberoi, the Forum Ambassador, will kick off the event with his introductory remarks on February 23rd. The Forum will also feature several prominent speakers such as Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Government of UAE, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan; CEO, Fedex, US, Raj Subramaniam; Chairman, Piramal Enterprises, India, Ajay Piramal; former US Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources, Richard Verma; former India’s Foreign Secretary, Harsh Shringla, and Founder of Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Cherie Blair. More information about speakers can be accessed at https://indiaspora.vfairs.com.
A key highlight of the Forum will be Indiaspora’s “New Voices,” initiative, amplifying the contributions of the next generation of diaspora leaders and showcasing their innovative approaches to solving long-standing global issues.
Key Announcements:
On February 24th, Indiaspora, in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group, will unveil the UAE Impact Report, showcasing the Indian diaspora’s contributions across various sectors in the UAE and its influence on the UAE-India corridor. That same day, three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej will introduce an ambitious initiative aimed at recognizing world-class music from India and the Global South.
Exclusive Quotes:
South Asian Herald obtained exclusive insights from prominent Indiaspora speakers highlighting the Forum’s importance in driving meaningful change.
Indiaspora’s Founder and Chairman, MR Rangaswami, emphasized the event’s significance noting, “At the upcoming Indiaspora Forum for Good, we aim to build upon our convening during India’s G20 presidency in 2023. The Forum for Good will showcase new models for the world in many areas, and I view it as a steppingstone towards creating the ‘Davos’ of the global Indian, with an emphasis on being a force for good in the world.”
Rangaswami highlighted Indiaspora’s extensive efforts in building relationships with leading diaspora figures, professionals, and global influencers, including those residing in India.
Member of the UK House of Lords, Lord Karan Bilimoria, underscored the Forum’s importance at a critical moment in history. He said “I am greatly looking forward to speaking and participating in the Indiaspora Forum for Good in Abu Dhabi. This is a crucially important event at a crucially important time in history, where uncertainty and challenges abound, and where the contribution of the 35 million strong Indian diaspora matters more than ever.”
Lord Bilimoria further acknowledged the diaspora’s rise to leadership roles across industries, stating: “We have the ability and the opportunity to be a genuine force for good to help every part of the world in a unique and crucially important way.”
He expressed gratitude to Indiaspora for bringing together prominent global Indian leaders for meaningful impact.
Renowned writer and historian, Manu Pillai also expressed his enthusiasm in participating at the Forum not only for the “diverse voices it will bring together from a variety of fields and sectors, but also for the space it creates for discussions on art, culture, history, literature and more.”
Indian sports commentator, actor, and retired professional tennis player, Vijay Amritraj highlighted the significance of the upcoming Forum, calling it an excellent opportunity not just for networking but for gaining insights from accomplished individuals across various fields.
“I’m delighted that I will be there at this major international gathering to not only share experiences but also talk about how tennis and sport can be a major driver for business, tourism and breaking down barriers to bring countries together,” added Amritraj. “Will certainly address India’s potential bid for hosting the Olympic Games and what it entails. Other great events like a demo from a master chef to improving your quality of sleep which we could all use will also be showcased. I’m looking forward to a wonderful three days of education and interaction.”
Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, India, Suneeta Reddy, underscored the Forum’s relevance at a crucial juncture in global history.
“We are at a period of global history that will definitively shape the future, and India will be at the center of that evolution,” Reddy stated.
Discussing the event’s theme, “New Models for the World,” she emphasized India’s unique strengths as the world’s largest democracy, a massive local market, and an innovation hub for cost-effective manufacturing and high-quality service delivery.
“We are 6th in the list of countries in terms of global patent applications and 116 unicorns – and this is just the beginning. This event will help showcase our capability and deliberate ideas that will unlock India’s potential at scale,” added Reddy.
CEO of Karya, India, Manu Chopra, expressed happiness for participating in the Forum.
“This is an incredible convening, and I am excited to present our work on how AI can be a force for good and to learn directly from so many people I look up to,” said Chopra.
Executive Vice President and Dean of Pre-Experience Programs at ESSEC Business School, France, Aarti Ramaswami, echoed similar sentiments.
“The event is a unique platform to exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and drive positive change across various sectors,” she noted.
Ramaswami added “I look forward to connecting with inspiring individuals who are making a difference globally. The Indian diaspora is a force for good, and together, we can create lasting impact. It’s an honor to contribute to this dynamic and forward-thinking community. Let’s build bridges, share insights, and work toward a world that benefits from our collective strengths.”
Strategic Advisor and Director, nutriQ360, New Zealand, Mallika Janakiraman, emphasized the Forum’s role in driving meaningful change.
“It’s an honor to represent Aotearoa New Zealand in this incredible network of changemakers dedicated to doing good business, keeping with the times, and committed to giving back,” she stated.
Indiaspora’s Executive Director, Sanjeev Joshipura, highlighted the diverse representation at the Forum, with nearly thirty countries participating. The largest delegations, he noted, will come from the UAE, USA, and India.
“Given Indiaspora’s focus on being a platform for knowledge exchange, and our emphasis on innovative thought leadership, our fora gather an impressive array of diverse leading lights. These events are a veritable learning fest, and I am confident that the relationships built, and information exchanged in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will positively impact lives across countries and professions,” added Joshipura.
Indiaspora Host Committee and Sponsors:
Prominent leaders serving on Indiaspora’s Host Committee include CEO of FedEx, Raj Subramaniam; Chairman of Abu Dhabi School of Management, Dr. Tayeb Kamali; Founder of KEF Holdings, Faizal Kottikollon; Founder of Infosys, Dr. Kris Gopalakrishnan; CEO of St. Vincent’s Curran Foundation, Shanthini Naidoo; Managing Director and Head Impact at Everstone Capital, Roshini Bakshi; Member of the House of Lords, Lord Karan Bilimoria; former Canadian High Commissioner to India, Nadir Patel; and Founder & Executive Chairman, Marius Pharmaceuticals & Shah Capital, Himanshu Shah.
Indiaspora also expressed its gratitude to corporate, institutional, and individual sponsors for their generous support for the Forum.
The corporate sponsors include Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited; Chiratae Ventures; First Abu Dhabi Bank; Perot Jain; Quilt.AI; Rubrik Inc; Tulah, Westbridge Capital; and Zscaler. The individual sponsors Bharat Desai; Anand Deshpande; Raj Gupta; Suresh Katta; Pulak Prasad; Himanshu Shah; and Sunil Wadhwani. The institutional sponsors include Mayfield Fund Foundation and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (PJMF).
Underscoring the significance of sponsors, Indiaspora emphasized, “These sponsors share our commitment to harnessing the global Indian diaspora’s potential for public good. They understand our vision of service and global advancement and help showcase the humanitarian contributions of Indian diaspora members worldwide.”
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