Events - AMEDA | Africa & Middle East Depositories Association https://www.ameda.org.eg AMEDA | Africa & Middle East Depositories Association Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:17:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.ameda.org.eg/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-AMEDA-LOGO-32x32.png Events - AMEDA | Africa & Middle East Depositories Association https://www.ameda.org.eg 32 32 CSD Summit İstanbul April, 2026 https://www.ameda.org.eg/csd-summit-istanbul-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=csd-summit-istanbul-2026 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 05:35:57 +0000 https://www.ameda.org.eg/?p=5395

About The Summit

CSD Summit İstanbul on 13–16 October, 2026, brings together members of the Asia-Pacific Central Securities Depository Group (ACG), the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD) and the Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) on a single platform. This joint gathering will provide an exceptional opportunity for CSDs to exchange perspectives on innovation and regulation, explore new models for post-trade infrastructures, and further strengthen cooperation between regions.

MKK warmly invites you to experience the unique cultural richness and spirit of İstanbul—from its iconic landmarks to its world-renowned cuisine.

We look forward to welcoming you in İstanbul..

Bridging Markets

AECSD & WFC Chairman's Message

CSD Summit İstanbul 2026 is a historic occasion bringing together members of the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD), the Asia-Pacific Central Securities Depository Group (ACG) and the Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) on a single platform for the first time. Guided by the theme“One Vision, Many Regions, New Opportunities – Bridging Markets, Bridging Continents, Empowering Growth”, this joint gathering reflects our shared commitment to strengthening cooperation between regions, enhancing dialogue among CSDs, and addressing the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of post-trade infrastructures.

İstanbul, with its unique role as a bridge between continents and capital markets, provides the perfect backdrop for this distinguished event. The Summit will offer participants a platform to engage in high-level discussions, attend insightful panels, and initiate new collaborations that will further connect our communities.

As MKK, we are proud to host this landmark event and confident that it will significantly contribute to advancing cooperation and innovation in global financial markets. We warmly look forward to welcoming you to İstanbul.

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN MKK CEO and Board Member, AECSD Chairman, WFC Chairman & AMEDA Board Member

AMEDA President's Message

Abdulla Abdin

Abdulla Jaffar Abdin, Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear, AMEDA President, and WFC Vice-Chairman

On behalf of Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA), I am pleased to express our sincere appreciation to Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) for the invitation to the İstanbul CSD Summit 2026. The Summit theme, “One Vision, Many Regions, New Opportunities: Bridging Markets, Bridging Continents, Empowering Growth,” reflects our shared commitment to collaboration, market integration, and sustainable growth. The participation of AMEDA, AECSD, and ACG underscores the importance of regional and global cooperation in advancing capital market infrastructures, and we are confident that this Summit will foster meaningful insights and lasting partnerships that advance our shared vision.

AMEDA President's Message

On behalf of Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA), I am pleased to express our sincere appreciation to Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) for the invitation to the İstanbul CSD Summit 2026. The Summit theme, “One Vision, Many Regions, New Opportunities: Bridging Markets, Bridging Continents, Empowering Growth,” reflects our shared commitment to collaboration, market integration, and sustainable growth. The participation of AMEDA, AECSD, and ACG underscores the importance of regional and global cooperation in advancing capital market infrastructures, and we are confident that this Summit will foster meaningful insights and lasting partnerships that advance our shared vision.

Abdulla Abdin

Abdulla Jaffar Abdin, Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear, AMEDA President, and WFC Vice-Chairman

ACG Chairman's Message

Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) graciously hosts the CSD Summit İstanbul 2026 in İstanbul, Türkiye, bringing together post-trade institutions, regulators, market experts and leaders from across the Eurasia, Asia-Pacific, African and Middle East regions..

Under the theme “One Vision, Many Regions, New Opportunities: Bridging Markets, Bridging Continents, Empowering Growth,” this Capital Market Summit serves as a distinguished learning platform for dialogue, collaboration, and exchange of information, fostering stronger regional linkages and exploring new avenues for growth and cooperation.

I extend my best wishes to MKK for the successful hosting of this important summit and look forward to your active participation.

Badiuddin AKBER

Mr. Badiuddin Akber, CEO, Central Depository Company (CDC) of Pakistan Limited & ACG Chairman 

CSD Summit İstanbul Launching In

2026/10/13 09:00:00
REGISTER NOW

Draft Agenda

Monday, April 6th, 2026

  • 09:00 – 9:30
Registration and welcome coffee
  • 9:30 – 11:00
AMEDA Board Meeting
  • 11:00 – 11:15
Coffee Break
  • 12:40 – 14:00
Lunch
  • 13:45 – 15:15
AMEDA General Meeting (AMEDA Members Only)
  • 17:15 – 18:45
WFC BoD Meeting (WFC Board Members Only)
  • 19:00 – 21:00
Welcome Reception

Tuesday, April 7th, 2026

  • 09:00 – 09:30
Registration and Welcome Coffee
  • 09:30 – 10:30
Opening Remarks

Mehmet ŞİMŞEK – Republic of Türkiye Minister of Treasury and Finance

İbrahim Ömer GÖNÜL – Chairman of the Capital Markets Board (CMB) of Türkiye

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN – MKK CEO and Board Member AECSD Chairman, WFC Chairman and AMEDA Board Member

Badiuddin Akbar – CEO, Central Depository Company (CDC) of Pakistan Limited & ACG Chairman

Abdulla Abdin – Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear, AMEDA President, and WFC Vice-Chairman
  • 10:30 – 10:45
MoU Signing and Other Official Ceremonies
  • 10:45 – 11:00
Coffee Break
  • 11:00 – 11:20
Keynote Speech: İstanbul Financial Center (İFM)
  • 11:20 – 12:20
Executive Panel: CSD Leadership in a Shifting World: Modern Market Infrastructure and Cross-border Links
  • 12:20 – 14:00
Lunch Break
  • 14:00 – 14:20
Presentation Session: Regional Settlement and Depository Vision
  • 14:20 – 15:20
Panel Discussion: Cross-regional CSD Connectivity
  • 15:20 – 15:40
Keynote Speech: Corporate Governance Trends and Implications
  • 15:40 – 16:00
Coffee Break
  • 16:00 – 16:20
Presentation Session: Experience in Shortening of Settlement Cycles
  • 16:20 – 17:20
Panel Discussion: Shortening of Settlement Cycles
  • 19:00 – 22:00
Gala Dinner

Wednesday, April 8th, 2026

 

  • 09:00 – 09:30
Welcome Coffee
  • 09:30 – 09:50
Keynote Speech: Digital Turkish Lira Project
  • 09:50 – 10:50
Executive Panel: From Regulation to Implementation of Digital Assets and Crypto Assets
  • 10:50 – 11:10
Coffee Break
  • 11:10 – 12:10
Keynote/Presentation Session
  • 12:10 – 13:30
Lunch Break
  • 13:30 – 13:50
Presentation: Risk Management and Operational Resilience in CSDs
  • 13:50 – 14:50
Panel: Managing Risk and Operational Resilience in CSDs
  • 14:50 – 15:10
Coffee Break
  • 15:10 – 16:10
Panel: New Trends and Innovations: CSD Platform Modernisation
  • 16:10 – 16:30
 Wrap Up and Closing Remarks

Thursday, April 9th, 2026

 

  • 10:00 – 16:00
Cultural Program – Details will be announced.  

Opening Remarks Speakers

Mehmet Simsek

Mehmet Simsek

Minister, Ministry of Treasury and Finance of The Republic of Türkiye

İbrahim Ömer GÖNÜL

İbrahim Ömer GÖNÜL

Chair The Capital Markets Board (CMB) of Türkiye

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN

MKK CEO and Board Member, AECSD Chairman, WFC Chairman & AMEDA Board Member
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Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN, MKK CEO and Board Member, AECSD Chairman, WFC Chairman & AMEDA Board Member

Dr. Arıkan earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Boğaziçi University, his MBA from Yeditepe University, and his PhD in Business Administration from İstanbul Ticaret University. He is fluent in English and German and has basic proficiency in Arabic.

He began his professional career at Microsoft as an International Program Manager, where he focused on Windows operating system development for the Turkish market.

Dr. Arıkan subsequently held various senior managerial roles at Ziraat Teknoloji A.Ş. and Ziraat Insurance Company, delivering IT services to Ziraat Finance Group, Türkiye’s largest state-owned banking group. His career also includes pivotal positions at EPİAŞ (Energy Exchange – Enerji Piyasaları İşletme A.Ş.), established in 2015 as Türkiye’s national energy exchange, where he contributed to the development of the Transparency Platform, strategic planning initiatives, and international cooperation efforts.

In 2016, he joined Borsa İstanbul Group and Takasbank A.Ş. as Executive Vice President responsible for Information Technologies.

Since April 2019, Dr. Arıkan has served as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu A.Ş. (MKK), the Central Securities Depository and Trade Repository of Türkiye. In this role, he has led the launch of numerous products and services, significantly strengthening the institution’s technological capabilities and service portfolio.

Dr. Arıkan assumed the role of Chair of the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD) in September 2023 and became a Board Member of the Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) in October 2024. In September 2025, he was elected Chair of the World Forum of Central Securities Depositories (WFC).

Badiuddin Akber

Badiuddin Akber

CEO, Central Depository Company (CDC) of Pakistan Limited & ACG Chairman
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Badiuddin AKBER

Badiuddin AKBER, CEO, Central Depository Company (CDC) of Pakistan Limited & ACG Chairman

Mr. Badiuddin Akber has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited (CDCPL) since 2019, bringing over 25 years of extensive leadership experience in Pakistan’s capital markets. He currently serves as Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Central Securities Depository Group (ACG) and represents the Asia-Pacific region on the Board of the World Forum of CSDs (WFC). Recognized for his deep expertise in clearing and settlement, risk management, and market infrastructure development, Mr. Akber has played a key role in strengthening and modernizing Pakistan’s post-trade ecosystem and aligning it with global best practices.
Mr. Akber is a Fellow Member of ICMA Pakistan and holds internationally recognized professional qualifications, including ACMA-CGMA (UK) and CPA, CMA (Canada). In addition to his leadership at CDCPL, he serves on the boards of CDC Share Registrar Services Limited, ITMinds Limited, and Naymat Collateral Management Company Limited, contributing to innovation, governance, and the continued development of Pakistan’s financial sector.

Abdulla Abdin

Abdulla Jaffar Abdin

Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear, AMEDA President, and WFC Vice-Chairman
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Abdulla Abdin

Abdulla Jaffar ABDIN, Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear, AMEDA President, and WFC Vice-Chairman

Abdulla Abdin has Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Glamorgan UK and currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer – Bahrain Clear. He is the President of the African Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA), and Vice Chairman of World Forum of Central Depositories (WFC). Mr. Abdin has over 35 years of experience in Banking and Capital Market structure, regulations, and operations.

* According to their Approbation

Speakers

Ali ERDURMUŞ

Ali ERDURMUŞ

Executive Vice Chairman Capital Markets Board of Türkiye
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Ali ERDURMUŞ

Ali ERDURMUŞ, Executive Vice Chairman Capital Markets Board of Türkiye

Ali Erdurmuş earned his BA degree in Business Administration from Bilkent University Faculty of Business Administration. He started his career as an internal auditor for Yapı Kredi Bank. In 2006, he started to work for Capital Markets Board of Turkey (CMB). He worked as a short-term consultant for the World Bank in 2014. He was appointed as the Head of Strategy Development Department in 2018. He was appointed as the Executive Vice Chairman for CMB in 2021. He holds MA in Finance degree from Bilkent University and MPA/ID Degree from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

Bruce Butterill

Bruce BUTTERILL

Executive Director America's Central Securities Depositories Association (ACSDA)
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Bruce Butterill

Bruce BUTTERILL, Executive Director America's Central Securities Depositories Association (ACSDA)

Bruce Butterill a Canadian citizen, based in Colombia and is the Executive Director of the Americas’ Central Securities Depository Association (ACSDA), a position he has held since 2007. He is also an independent Capital Market Infrastructure consultant, and has worked on engagements with Securities Depositories, Clearing Corporations and Stock Exchanges in 17 countries across the globe. Prior to becoming a consultant Bruce spent 19 years with CDS, the Canadian Depository for Securities, where at various times, as a member of the Executive Management Committee, he was the senior executive responsible for national operations, international relations and the product management/development functions.

 

Mark Gem.

Mark Gem

Chair of European Central Securities Depositories Association (ECSDA) Chair of the Risk Committee at Clearstream
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Mark Gem.

Mark GEM, Chair of European Central Securities Depositories Association (ECSDA) Chair of the Risk Committee at Clearstream

Mark Gem has chaired ECSDA, the European CSD Association, since 2021. A graduate of Oxford University, he has been with Clearstream for over 20 years and a board member since 2007, with leadership roles in risk management, compliance, network management and business strategy. He currently chairs Clearstream’s Risk Committee, and co-chairs the ISSA Financial Crime Compliance Working Group. He has been a Swift board member since 2013 where he chairs the Governance and Nomination Committee.

Julia Mckenny

Julia McKENNY

CEO International Securities Services Association (ISSA)
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Julia Mckenny

Julia McKENNY, CEO International Securities Services Association (ISSA)

Julia McKenny assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of the International Securities Services Association on 16 June 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Education from Sydney University and a Bachelor of Laws from Newcastle University, Australia. Julia completed her legal training at the College of Law, Australia, before being admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Julia’s career in Securities Services began at JP Morgan in 2004, leading to significant regional and global roles with Northern Trust, State Street, and Standard Chartered Bank. Upon returning to London, she further honed her expertise through leadership positions at TMF Group and Accenture and worked with the Prime Broking team at Morgan Stanley.

Her career highlights include serving as General Counsel, leading strategic advocacy initiatives, and ensuring regulatory compliance within complex international frameworks. Julia is also recognized as a thought leader in the Securities Services industry, contributing regularly to Global Custodian and other leading publications.

Sarah Tarawneh

Sarah TARAWNEH

CEO, Securities Depository Center (SDC) – Jordan AMEDA Board Member & ANNA Board Member
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Sarah Tarawneh, CEO, Securities Depository Center (SDC) – Jordan AMEDA Board Member & ANNA Board Member

Sarah Tarawneh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities Depository Center (SDC); the sole entity entitled to register securities and handle the clearing and settlement for traded securities, and provide post-trade services to investors in the Jordanian Capital Market.

Having worked at the SDC for 20 years, Sarah brings a depth of central depository experience and high legislative knowledge to this role. She has been was involved in the business processes of the depository, clearing and settlement agency in Jordan, and contributed to drafting legislation governing such operations in addition to the overall adherence to the best practices and International standards governing the Capital Market industry and CSDs.

Sarah also serves as a Director of the Association of National Numbering Agencies ANNA Management Body, contributing to the governance, risk, legal and compliance activities of ANNA as well as oversight of Technology/Cybersecurity topics.

She also sits on the board of directors for the Africa & Middle east Depositories Association, contributing to the representation and collaboration between CSDs of the region.

Sarah is also a board director of the Federation of Euro-Asian Capital Markets (FEAS) representing members of CSDs.

During her work with the SDC, she sat on the board of the Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA) representing Jordan in this global association whose members seek to foster standardisation within the financial industry by upholding ISO principles and promoting codes for financial instruments.

Prior to being appointed the CEO for SDC, Sarah was the Director of Legal affairs at SDC, and she was also assigned to manage the research and public relations. Earlier she worked as a licensed lawyer with a private law firm specializing in commercial and civil law consultations.

Sarah is an alumnus of the University of Jordan, Bachelor of Law, she is also a licensed barrister form the Jordanian Bar Association. Sarah has completed numerous Capital market specialized courses and holds a professional certificate from the CFA institute “Investment Foundations Program”.

Sofiane HAMMAMI

Sofiane HAMMAMI

Chief Executive Officer Tunisie Clearing
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Sofiane HAMMAMI

Sofiane HAMMAMI, Chief Executive Officer Tunisie Clearing

Sofiane Hammami is the Chief Executive Officer of Tunisie Clearing, a Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA®) with advanced degrees in Economics and Microeconomic Modeling from French universities. With over 25 years of experience in financial markets and asset management, he has held several key positions in leading financial institutions and at the Financial Market Council, Tunisia’s financial regulator. He is also President of the Scientific Council of the Tunis Stock Exchange Training Institute and an active member of the Tunisian Association of Financial Analysis.

Shehu Yahaya SHANTALI

Shehu Yahaya SHANTALI

CEO The Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS)
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Shehu Yahaya SHANTALI

Shehu Yahaya SHANTALI, CEO The Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS)

Mr. Shehu Yahaya Shantali holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an Executive MBA from Kingster Business School. He has over two decades of experience in accounting, finance, and financial services across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with expertise spanning investment and asset management, financial advisory, and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). His career cuts across capital markets, investment banking, real estate, and financial services, and is underpinned by a decade at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, where he championed the migration of publicly listed and significant public interest entities from Nigerian GAAP to IFRS and led the Commission’s transition to the contributory pension scheme in 2012.

Mr. Shantali has built deep experience in financial inclusion, digital financial infrastructure, and the development of scalable, market-wide platforms that expand access to regulated financial services. As Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Apricot Investments Limited, he led the development of the MicroWorld platform, enabling the distribution of structured financial products including micro-health, micro-pension, micro-housing, micro-insurance, and micro-investment solutions. Earlier in his career, his team developed Nigeria’s first contactless payment solution, and he played a pioneering role in POS-based agency banking and early mobile-money interoperability on the NIBSS NIP platform, supporting efficient payments, settlement, and system-wide connectivity.

Jesse-Kagoma

Jesse KAGOMA

Chief Executive Officer CDSC Kenya
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Jesse-Kagoma

Jesse KAGOMA, Chief Executive Officer CDSC Kenya

Mr. Jesse Kagoma is the Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Central Depository and Settlement Corporation (CDSC) Kenya, effective September 1, 2023, to provide leadership and oversight of the Company. Board member AMEDA (Africa Middle East Depository Association) and EASEA (East Africa Securities Exchange Association).

He has over 20 years of experience in business turnarounds, business growth, strategy formulation and its execution, business valuations, balance sheet restructuring, merger and acquisitions processes, budgetary controls, financial planning, investment funds management, and tax planning, among others, spanning different sectors of the East African Economies.

He being instrumental in immobilizing physical share certificates from 52% to 94% of all the equity securities, growing the equity market Guarantee fund from USD 7.6 M to over USD 12.5M, commercialization of Data, introduction of Bilateral Security Lending & Borrowing (SLB), readying the market for hybrid settlement cycle( T+1 & T+3), supporting the market to increase trading hour with a target of 6 pm close, introduction of digital 3D CDS account opening/onboarding platform, Digitize registry in enhancing centralized dividend payment, and reduction of capital outlays on new products and investments by using revenue-sharing models, reserving cash.

He holds a Master’s in business administration (Finance), a Bachelor of Business Management (Finance & Banking), is a Certified Public Accountant, and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). Currently, finalizing a PhD in Business Administration (Finance).

Siavash AZIMI

Siavash AZIMI

International Relations Director Corporate Secretary Central Securities Depository of Iran (CSDI)
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Siavash AZIMI

Siavash AZIMI, International Relations Director Corporate Secretary Central Securities Depository of Iran (CSDI)

Dr. Siavash Azimi joined the Central Securities Depository of Iran (CSDI) in 2015 and returned to the role of Corporate Secretary in October 2022. In his role as the director of International Relations, Dr. Azimi focuses on expanding international business and cooperation, developing closer relationships with CSDI’s global counterparts, organizing and attending key industry events. His extensive involvement in prestigious international organizations such as the World Federation of CSDs (WFC), the Asia-Pacific CSD Group (ACG), and the Federation of Euro-Asian Capital Markets (FEAS) highlights his expertise in diplomacy, stakeholder engagement, and cross-cultural communication. His dual expertise in corporate governance and international relations ensures that CSDI maintains high standards of compliance and governance while fostering a strong global presence.

Additionally, Dr. Azimi represents the Iranian capital market in the Financial Services and Investment Working Group under the BRICS Business Council and leads the FEAS’ “CSD, Pre-Trade, and Post-Trade Working Group.” “The Digital Renaissance of Post-Trade: Harnessing AI for Financial Innovation” Innovation is the heartbeat of modern financial infrastructure, and the Central Securities Depository of Iran (CSDI) is currently pulsing with some truly transformative energy. Dr. Siavash Azimi is to peel back the curtain on how CSDI is fundamentally modernizing its core platforms to meet the demands of a digital-first global economy.

A major highlight of this journey is CSDI’s strategic exploitation of Artificial Intelligence within Iran’s Post-Trade System – IRPT, Financial Capacity Certificates, and more. By weaving AI into the fabric of its operations, CSDI is not just automating tasks but also enhancing predictive accuracy and operational resilience, ensuring that the Iranian capital market remains robust and responsive.

Anna VOLODINA

Anna VOLODINA

Managing Director for Corporate Business Development National Settlement Depository
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Anna VOLODINA

Anna VOLODINA, Managing Director for Corporate Business Development National Settlement Depository

Anna serves as the Managing Director of Depository product development at National Settlement Depository oversees the strategic design and expansion of post-trade services. With over 13 years of experience in capital market infrastructure, Anna leads the creation of innovative custody and settlement solutions designed to enhance market efficiency and reduce risk.

Prior to this role Anna held leadership positions in risk management at the CSD and international banking groups focusing on building up a strong enterprise risk management system aiming at company’s resistance to a wide range of threats together with ability to change under acceptable risk exposure.

Julie WANG

Julie WANG

Director / Head of Corporate Strategy & Public Affairs Department Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation (TDCC)
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Julie WANG

Julie WANG, Director / Head of Corporate Strategy & Public Affairs Department Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation (TDCC)

Julie Wang is Director and Head of Corporate Strategy & Public Affairs at TDCC, where she leads corporate strategy, business development, public engagement, and international cooperation with Asian and global central securities depositories. She has played a key role in shaping TDCC’s long-term strategic direction, driving platform modernisation, corporate governance enhancement, and the digitalisation and automation of post-trade and corporate action services. Her work also includes the exploration of emerging technologies such as real-world assets (RWA) and the application of AI to improve operational efficiency and market infrastructure resilience. Julie is widely recognized for her expertise in corporate governance and CSD innovation, and frequently represents TDCC at major international forums, including WFC, ACGA, and Sibos.

Boris CHERKASSKIY

Boris CHERKASSKIY

General Director Advisor INFINITUM
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Boris CHERKASSKIY

Boris CHERKASSKIY, General Director Advisor INFINITUM

Boris Cherkasskiy graduated from Moscow State University in 1973 with a specialty in mathematics. In 1978 he received his PhD degree in computer science. In 1973-1991 Mr. Cherkasskiy worked for the Central Economic and Mathematical Institute and for the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences where was focusing on combinatorial algorithms. He issued about 80 publications in Computer Science. In 1993 Mr. Cherkasskiy joined the Bank of Russia as a chief specialist; later he headed one of the Bank’s divisions. He was an author of the Bank of Russia’s 44 th depository services regulation and other documents regulating depository activities. Since 2000 Mr. Cherkasskiy worked for DCC – Depository Clearing Company, VTB custody, Sberbank special depository and NSD – National Settlement Depository. Working for the NSD as Senior Vice-President he was the head of the project for getting status and functionality of the CSD. He was one of the initiators of the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD). Mr. Cherkasskiy issued over 100 publications focused on depository activities. Mr. Cherkasskiy was awarded the title of “Honored Specialist of the Russian Financial Market” and was included in the Book of Honor of the Russian Financial Market. Since 2014 until now works for the specialized depository (fund administrator) “INFINITUM Asset Services” as General Director Advisor.

Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR

Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR

Executive Vice Chair, Capital Markets Board (CMB) of Türkiye Chair of the Board of Directors, Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK)
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Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR

Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR, Executive Vice Chair, Capital Markets Board (CMB) of Türkiye Chair of the Board of Directors, Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK)

Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR started his career in 1998 as an internal auditor for a private bank in Türkiye and joined the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye (CMB) in 1999. During his charge as a senior, besides his other responsibilities he took part in the professional team organised the establishment of the Central Securities Depository of Türkiye (MKK). Besides he led the team for the establishment of first Turkish Derivatives Exchange of Türkiye (Turkdex). He was in charge as the Deputy Head of Market Surveillance and Regulation Department between 2006-2009. After completing his MSc degree in U.S. he joined the Investment Firms Department of CMB in 2011. He represented the CMB in IFIs and other international agencies and took part in assesments. He served as the Head of Investment Firms Department between 2014 and 2021. His areas of responsibilities covered the regulation and surveillance of the investment firms, the regulation of the secondary markets and the financial market institutions such as Borsa İstanbul, Takasbank and MKK.

In April 2021 he promoted as the Executive Vice Chairman of the CMB and currently assuming the responsibilites of the Investment Fims Department and Institutional Investors Department. Since 2018 he is also leading the regulation of cyrpto assets in Türkiye.

Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR earned his BA degree in Economics from Hacettepe University. He holds a MSc in Econometrics from Gazi University and an MSc in Finance from George Washington University School of Business. He speaks English and French and is married with one child.

Lotfi ZOUAGRI

Lotfi ZOUAGRI

Director General Algérie Clearing
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Lotfi ZOUAGRI

Lotfi ZOUAGRI, Director General Algérie Clearing

The Director General of Algérie Clearing is a seasoned financial professional with more than 23 years of experience at the Bank of Algeria ( Central Bank), where he held senior responsibilities within the back office of the External Financial Relations Division, with a particular focus on foreign exchange reserves management, payment systems, SWIFT, and account reconciliation. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in post-trade operations related to bond markets and central securities depositories, including practical exposure to international market infrastructures such as International Central Securities Depositories (ICSDs). His professional background reflects a strong command of settlement, custody, and market operations in a global financial environment. Recently appointed as Director General of Algérie Clearing, he brings a strategic vision aimed at modernizing the Algerian Central Securities Depository, enhancing its operational efficiency, and aligning it with international best practices and global standards in post-trade services and financial market infrastructure. His leadership is focused on strengthening the role of Algérie Clearing in supporting capital market development and financial stability in Algeria.

Alexandre KECH

Alexandre KECH

CEO Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF)
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Alexandre KECH

Alexandre KECH, CEO Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF)

Alexandre Kech has been appointed by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) Board of Directors as the CEO, effective June 26, 2024. Prior to joining GLEIF, Alexandre Kech was Head Digital Securities at the SIX Digital Exchange. As a member of the Executive Board, Alex had full executive responsibility for the Digital Securities business vertical, including relationship management, product and blockchain-based service development, as well as ecosystem expansion. Over the past 25 years, Alex has constructed a unique career combining finance at BNY Mellon, payments/securities infrastructure and standards at SWIFT, and blockchain and digital assets at Onchain Custodian (ONC) and most recently Citi Ventures. As co-founder and CEO of ONC, Alex led the Singapore and Shanghai-based team that built from scratch a custody and prime brokerage service for crypto and other digital assets. As Blockchain & Digital Asset director at Citi Ventures, he built a team to engage the European ecosystem on emerging use cases for blockchain technologies and digital assets. Alex is also involved in industry and standardization initiatives. As the convenor of the ISO TC 68 / SC8 / WG3 which produced the ISO 24165 Digital Token Identifier (DTI), he is a member of the DTI Foundation Product Advisory Committee. He also recently served as co-chair of the Global Digital Finance (gdf.io) custody working group. Alex earned a Bachelor’s degree in translation, and an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology while building Onchain Custodian — putting theory into practice in real-time.

Erkan KİLİMCİ

Erkan KİLİMCİ

Deputy Chairman of the Board & CEO Tera Financial Investments Holding
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Erkan KİLİMCİ

Erkan KİLİMCİ, Deputy Chairman of the Board & CEO Tera Financial Investments Holding

Erkan Kilimci has more than 20 years working experience in financial sector. Having started his professional life in banking sector, he continued his career mainly in international capital market companies at senior management level. Recently he worked as Deputy Governor and Executive Director in Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey.

Erkan Kilimci has a BS degree in Political Science and International Relations from Bogazici University and master degree in Finance and Accounting from Marmara University. Besides attending many domestic and international educational programs, he holds CMB Advanced Capital Markets License, CMB Derivatives Capital Markets License, CMB Corporate Governance and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Along with his printed articles he also co-authored a book about derivative products.

Serdar ÇELİK

Serdar ÇELİK

Head of Capital Markets & Financial Institutions Division Organization for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD)
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Serdar ÇELİK, Head of the Capital Markets & Financial Institutions Division Organization for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD)

Mr. Serdar Çelik is Head of the Capital Markets and Financial Institutions Division at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). His main responsibilities include corporate governance, state-owned enterprises, capital markets, financial education, financial consumer protection, insurance and pensions. He leads the secretariats to the OECD’s Corporate Governance Committee and the Committee on Financial Markets, which are the custodian of global standards in business and finance. These standards include the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance, G20/OECD High-Level Principles on Financial Consumer Protection, OECD Core Principles of Private Pension Regulation and OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises. The Committees also engage extensively with numerous non-OECD countries through regional programmes in Asia, Latin America and MENA, as well as country technical assistance projects. The Division produces the OECD’s Corporate Governance Factbook, Global Debt Report, Pensions Outlook, Global Corporate Sustainability Report, PISA on Financial Literacy and Compendium on Ownership and Governance of State-Owned Enterprises.

Ahmad NASEER

Ahmad NASEER

Chief Post Trade Officer
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

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Şafak AKDAŞ

CEO Halk Investment
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Şafak AKDAŞ

Şafak AKDAŞ, CEO Halk Investment

Şafak Akdaş, who holds a Master’s degree in Financial Econometrics, began his professional career at Garanti Bank in 2010 and subsequently held various positions at different levels within the capital markets sector. In 2019, Mr. Akdaş joined Halk Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş. as an Executive responsible for the Derivatives and Domestic Sales Departments. He later served as Head of Sales and Asset Management, followed by his role as Director of Branches. As of 2022, Mr. Akdaş has been serving as Deputy General Manager responsible for Branches, Sales, Investment Advisory, Markets, and Operations. Since June 11, 2025, he has continued his career at Halk Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş. as General Manager and Member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Akdaş also serves as a Member of the Disciplinary Committee at Borsa İstanbul A.Ş. and as a Member of the Board of Directors at Yıldız Tekno Girişim Sermayesi Yatırım Ortaklığı A.Ş. He holds all professional capital markets licenses in Türkiye equivalent to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is fluent in English, married, and a father of one child.

Andreas LUNDELL

Andreas LUNDELL

AVP Head of CSD Technology & Market Technology Nasdaq
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Andreas LUNDELL

Andreas LUNDELL, AVP Head of CSD Technology & Market Technology Nasdaq

Anna serves as the Managing Director of Depository product development at National Settlement Depository oversees the strategic design and expansion of post-trade services. With over 13 years of experience in capital market infrastructure, Anna leads the creation of innovative custody and settlement solutions designed to enhance market efficiency and reduce risk.

Prior to this role Anna held leadership positions in risk management at the CSD and international banking groups focusing on building up a strong enterprise risk management system aiming at company’s resistance to a wide range of threats together with ability to change under acceptable risk exposure.

Edward STARKIE

Edward STARKIE

Director of Cyber Security Thomas Murray
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Edward STARKIE

Edward STARKIE, Director of Cyber Security Thomas Murray

Edward is a recognised cyber security thought leader and trusted board advisor. He adopts a business-centric approach to cyber security, data protection, and digital operational resilience. He regularly engages both technical teams and board-level stakeholders to delivery services that empower organisations to identify, assess, and sustainably manage cyber security risks. He is a regular presenter at conferences, events and has been quoted in a range of publications including national broadsheets.

A. Burak DAĞLIOĞLU

President Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Member of the Board of the Türkiye Wealth Fund
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A. Burak DAĞLIOĞLU, President Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Member of the Board of the Türkiye Wealth Fund

A. Burak Dağlıoğlu, who had served as the President of the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye since February 7, 2020, was appointed President of the newly formed Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye on April 10, 2025.

Prior to his appointment as President, Mr. Dağlıoğlu held several positions within the Investment Office. From 2010 to 2015, he served as Project Director, overseeing investment projects from the Gulf countries, India, Japan, and the United States. From 2015 to 2020, he served as Vice President of the Office, responsible for international promotion and lead generation activities. In November 2020, he was also appointed as a Member of the Board of the Türkiye Wealth Fund.

Earlier in his career, from 2006 to 2010, Mr. Dağlıoğlu worked in the private sector in various consulting roles.

He holds a BA in Economics from Boğaziçi University and an MA in Global Master in Finance from IE Business School.

Ahmet İhsan ERDEM

Ahmet İhsan ERDEM

General Manager and Member of the Board of Directors İstanbul Financial Center
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Ahmet İhsan ERDEM, General Manager and Member of the Board of Directors İstanbul Financial Center

Ahmet İhsan Erdem is the General Manager and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Financial Center. He holds a degree in International Relations from Bilkent University and an MBA from Pace University in New York. He began his career at the Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency, later the Turkish Presidency’s Investment Office, where he served in senior roles including Deputy President. During his tenure, he led initiatives to enhance foreign direct investment in Türkiye and coordinated investment support processes at a national level. An expert in trade and investment diplomacy, Erdem also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board and Member of the Board of Directors of Fintech Zone Istanbul.

Şant MANUKYAN

Deputy General Manager İş Investment
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Şant MANUKYAN, Deputy General Manager İş Investment

Şant Manukyan is a graduate of Robert College. He completed his undergraduate studies in Business Administration (in English) at Istanbul University and earned his MBA from Cornell University.

He began his career in the capital markets as a fund manager and joined İş Investment in 2002, taking on a role within the International Markets Division. As Global Strategist, he was responsible for the development of global equity and commodity strategies. As of January 2025, he continues his professional career at İş Investment as Deputy General Manager.

Mustafa AKGÜN

Mustafa AKGÜN

Director of Investor & Corporate Governance Services Development Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK)
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Mustafa AKGÜN

Mustafa AKGÜN, Director of Investor & Corporate Governance Services Development Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK)

Mustafa Akgün holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Uludağ University and a master’s degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Bahçeşehir University.

He started his professional career at the Central Securities Depository of Türkiye (MKK) in 2010. Since then, he has held various positions within the Software Development Department and, as of 2024, serves as the Director of Investor & Corporate Governance Services Development.

In this role, he is responsible for the development and maintenance of several key systems developed by MKK, including the Investor Information System, Electronic General Meeting System, Public Disclosure Platform, Electronic Board of Directors System, Companies Information Portal, MKK Communication Center System, and the Crypto Asset Central Registry System.

He also serves as the Project Manager of the Electronic General Meeting System implemented in Indonesia, known as eASY.KSEI.

Naseer Ahmed AKHTAR

Naseer Ahmed AKHTAR

President & CEO InfoTech (Pvt) Limited
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Naseer Ahmed AKHTAR

Naseer Ahmed AKHTAR, President & CEO InfoTech (Pvt) Limited

Naseer A. Akhtar is the President and CEO of InfoTech Group a position he has held since the founding of InfoTech in 1995. As a successful entrepreneur, Naseer A. Akhtar brought InfoTech to profitability and continues to build on that success with double-digit year-on-year growth. He is a sought after speaker, mentor, has served as the Chairman of Pakistan’s industry association P@SHA and has been honored with numerous industry awards and accolades. Naseer A. Akhtar sets the corporate direction and strategy for all lines of business. He focuses on customers, strategy and innovation. He has been responsible for multimillion-dollar revenue generating product roadmaps that have disrupted major industries like Banking & Capital Markets, GovTech (G2B & G2C Services), RegTech (Regulations, Compliances, Fraud Detection), Utilities, Smart Grids, and Transportation.

Muhterem ÇELİK

Muhterem ÇELİK

Head of Equity and Debt Securities Clearing & Settlement Department Takasbank
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Muhterem ÇELİK

Muhterem ÇELİK, Head of Equity and Debt Securities Clearing & Settlement Department Takasbank

After graduating from the Faculty of Political Science of Ankara University, Muhterem Çelik has started his professional life in banking sector as an internal banking auditor. He continued his career as non-performing loans manager and branch manager, respectively.

After 12 years working experience in banking sector, he joined clearing bank of Türkiye, Takasbank, in 2016. He served as head of Custody and Collective Investment Schemes Department. As the national numbering agency, he represented Takasbank on the committees of ANNA and GLEIF. He assumed the role of business project manager for the Gold Transfer System project, an important platform that banks are members of.

Currently serving as the Director of Equity and Debt Securities clearing and settlement operations, he is working on the T+1 shortening settlement cycle in stock market project.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güzhan GÜLAY

Prof. Dr. Güzhan GÜLAY

Executive Vice President Borsa İstanbul
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güzhan GÜLAY

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güzhan GÜLAY, Executive Vice President Borsa İstanbul

After graduating from the Faculty of Business Administration of Istanbul University in 1993, Güzhan Gülay completed Ziraat Bank Banking School and worked as a specialist in the Capital Markets Directorate of the same bank. He joined the Borsa İstanbul family as an assistant specialist in the Equity Markets Directorate in 1995, became a specialist in 1998, and a manager in 2014 in the same department. He was appointed the Business Development Director in 2018 and the Precious Metals and Precious Stones Director in 2019. He has acted in many projects by taking fundamental positions in designing, configuration, testing, legislation, and development for the improvement of the markets and infrastructure of Borsa Istanbul. After his master’s and doctorate education, he acted as a visiting lecturer for a year at the City University of London Cass Business School and taught part-time at various universities. He became an Associate Professor in 2023.

Matthieu de Heering

Matthieu de Heering

Global Head of Business Development, Capital Markets Montran
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Matthieu de Heering

Matthieu de Heering, Global Head of Business Development, Capital Markets Montran

Matthieu de Heering is Montran’s Global Head of Business Development for Capital Markets, a role he has held since 2024. He leads the company’s global expansion across capital markets —accelerating growth into new technologies, products, geographies, and market segments. Montran is a leading provider of financial market infrastructure solutions worldwide, and Matthieu represents the firm in key industry associations including the European Central Securities Depositories Association (ECSDA), the International Securities Services Association (ISSA), and the Federation of Euro Asian Stock Exchanges (FEAS).

Before joining Montran, Matthieu was part of SWIFT’s EMEA leadership team, where he oversaw Central & Eastern Europe, the CIS region, and the Data & Analytics business. His prior roles at SWIFT include Director of Capital Markets Strategy, with a focus on digital assets, and programme manager for the Target2 Securities (T2S) initiative. Earlier in his career, he led the Management Information & Statistics team within BNY Mellon’s Global Custody business.

Amin El HADDANI

Amin El HADDANI

Director of Relationship Manager Euroclear Bank

Yedil Medeu

Yedil MEDEU

Chair of the Management Board KCSD
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Yedil Medeu

Yedil MEDEU, Chair of the Management Board KCSD

Yedil Medeu is the Chairman of the Management Board at the Kazakhstan Central Securities Depository (KCSD). He was appointed to this position following his tenure as Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, a role he held since June 2021. With more than 15 years of experience in Kazakhstan’s securities market, Mr. Medeu possesses deep expertise in financial market infrastructure, regulatory oversight, and policy development. Prior to joining KCSD, Mr. Medeu was the Director of the Securities Market Department at the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market. In this role, he oversaw the supervision of securities market intermediaries and played a pivotal role in developing strategic policy frameworks to foster securities market development in alignment with national socio- economic priorities. His professional journey also includes an eight-year tenure at the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where he contributed significantly to the Securities Market Department. Mr. Medeu holds a Master’s degree in Public Economics from the National Graduate School of Policy Studies in Tokyo (Japan), equipping him with a comprehensive perspective on financial regulation and economic policy.

Anna KULIK

Anna KULIK

Secretary General European Central Securities Depositories Association (ECSDA)
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Anna KULIK

Anna KULIK, Secretary General European Central Securities Depositories Association (ECSDA)

Anna is Secretary General of the European Central Securities Depositories Association (ECSDA). She is a lawyer by background and holds a Master in European law and a multidisciplinary Master in Law and Economics and is also trained in managing strategic projects by the University of Oxford Saïd Business School. Anna combines extensive post-trade knowledge with policy-making experience. She started her career at the general secretariat of one of the political parties at the European Parliament. Then having worked in the Business Transformation and Service Excellence department of an ICSD as well as for their group in Strategy and Government Relations. She has been leading the European CSD Industry Association since 2017.

Samsul HIDAYAT

Samsul HIDAYAT

President Director Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia (KSEI)
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Samsul HIDAYAT

Samsul HIDAYAT, President Director Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia (KSEI)

Appointed as the President Director of KSEI at KSEI Annual GMS on May 25, 2023. Earned a Bachelor degree in Economics from Jambi State University and Master of Business Administration in Management from Cleveland State University, Ohio, United States of America. Previously, served as Director of Trading and Exchange Member Management in PT Bursa Efek Indonesia (2012-2015) and Director of Company Assessment (2015-2018).

He held various positions including Head of Securities Institution Supervision Department, Capital Market and Financial Institution Supervisory Agency or Bapepam-LK (2006-2012) and Independent Commissioner in several companies. His activities also include positions in professional organizations, such as: Executive Director of the Association of Indonesia Public-Listed Companies (2018-2023)

Setenay YAĞANOĞLU, PhD

Setenay YAĞANOĞLU

Director of Depository Services Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK)
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Setenay YAĞANOĞLU, PhD

Setenay YAĞANOĞLU, PhD, Director of Depository Services Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK)

Setenay Yaganoglu, PhD, is the Director of Depository Services at Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) of Türkiye. She has more than 18 years of experience in capital markets. As the Director Depository Services she is accountable for investment/custody account services, dematerialization services, issuer and corporate actions services, safekeeping of securities on beneficial owner basis and omnibus accounts, settlement services for dematerialized securities, SWIFT services, services related to the transactions on the securities lending market and the electronic fund trading platform of Türkiye, services for electronic warehouse receipts, services for crowdfunding platforms​ and bearer shares registry system. Prior to this post, she served as the director of Data Services. She was in charge of Derivative Reporting, Fixed Income Reporting, Investor Risk Monitoring System, Data Analysis Platform, Real Estate Based and Developing Financial Instruments Information System. In her presence at MKK, she has participated in driving key initiatives, including data based strategic management and international affairs, interacting with all departments in the company. Throughout her career, she has contributed in fields such as financial reporting operations, data distribution services, indice calculations, international business councils and international relations.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Bilkent University. She was awarded the British Council scholarship for her MSc in Social Sciences studies at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. She went on to embark her professional experience with academic skills and received her PhD in Finance from Istanbul Ticaret University in 2020 with a thesis entitled “An Analysis of Investors in Turkey on Behavioural Biases of Distance Effect, Herd Behaviour and Over-Confidence”. Her field of interests are mainly Behavioural Finance, Risk Appetite Measurement, and Systemic Risk Indicators.

As the Director of Depository Services at MKK, she intends to improve on the automation of tasks and broaden online integration services for operational procedures, while also contributing to the development of alternative investment instruments.

Çağla DERSE YAYLA

Çağla DERSE YAYLA

Director of Data Services Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK)
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Çağla DERSE YAYLA

Çağla DERSE YAYLA, Director of Data Services Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK)

Çağla DERSE YAYLA is a Director of Data Services at Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK), leading operations and analytics for derivatives, debt securities, credit risk contracts and related data services. Her role involves coordinating across data, technology, and regulatory teams to deliver high-impact automation and market intelligence.

She has nearly 15 years of experience across the energy, infrastructure, and capital markets sectors—spanning both public and private institutions. Her professional journey began at BOTAŞ, where she worked on international pipeline negotiations and project-based financial analysis, gaining first-hand experience in infrastructure development and intergovernmental financing structures. Then, she worked at EPİAŞ (Energy Markets Operator) as Market Surveillance Manager, and later at RWE & Turcas as Risk, Strategy, and Market Research Manager, where she developed financial and risk models for energy and power investments in collaboration with teams in Germany and the UK. Prior to her current position, she had been working as a Service Manager at the Central Securities Depository of Turkey (MKK), leading operational and analytical workstreams within the Data Services Directorate, coordinating between regulatory, financial, and technical stakeholders to enhance data transparency and market infrastructure. She holds an MSc in Financial Analysis and Fund Management (Distinction) from the University of Exeter, UK, and a BSc in Business Administration from Middle East Technical University (METU), complementing her applied experience in investment structuring, portfolio analysis, and valuation academically.

Abdülkadir KAHRAMAN

Abdülkadir KAHRAMAN

General Manager Paribu Custody
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Abdülkadir KAHRAMAN

Abdülkadir KAHRAMAN, General Manager Paribu Custody

Abdulkadir Kahraman is one of Turkey’s leading financial experts with nearly 37 years of senior leadership experience in tax, auditing, and financial markets across both public and private sectors. Starting his career in 1989 as a Tax Inspector (Account Expert) at the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, Kahraman has held critical roles such as Tax Partner and Audit Group Coordinator at national and multinational giants including Deloitte, Koç Holding, KPMG, and EY. Carrying his deep knowledge of traditional finance, local and international taxation, and regulations into the digital economy, Kahraman has been serving as the General Manager of Paribu Kripto Varlık Saklama Kuruluşu A.Ş. since December 2025. Kahraman’s core areas of expertise include asset custody and regulation, financial markets and law, domestic and international taxation, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and corporate finance.

Burcu KÜÇÜKÜNAL

CEO Digital Banking & Innovation Leader Stablex
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Burcu KÜÇÜKÜNAL, CEO Digital Banking & Innovation Leader Stablex

Burcu Küçükünal is a visionary executive with over 20 years of experience in financial services, specializing in digital transformation and corporate strategy. Currently serving as the CEO of Stablex, she leads the advancement of digital banking solutions by merging innovation management with emerging technologies. Prior to her leadership at Stablex, Burcu Küçükünal spent nearly 15 years at Akbank, where she held various senior roles, most recently as the SVP of Digital Design and Innovation. Her career is defined by a proven track record of driving business growth through strategic digital initiatives, business transformation, and building high-performing international teams. With a background that spans global firms like Accenture and Experian, she brings a unique blend of analytical depth and future-focused vision to the evolving fintech landscape.

Venues

Suggested Accommodation

Sheraton Grand İstanbul Ataşehir
Sheraton Grand İstanbul Ataşehir
Marriott İstanbul Asia
Marriott İstanbul Asia
Hilton Kozyatağı Ataşehir
Hilton Kozyatağı Ataşehir
Radisson Blu Hotel İstanbul Asia
Radisson Blu Hotel İstanbul Asia
Park Inn by Radisson Ataşehir
Park Inn by Radisson Ataşehir
Hilton Istanbul Maslak
Hilton Istanbul Maslak
Wyndham Grand Levent
Wyndham Grand Levent
Shangri La Bosphorus İstanbul
Shangri La Bosphorus İstanbul

Visa Information

It is possible to obtain e-Visa 7/24 at everywhere with internet connection. The applicants can obtain their visa after they fill in the necessary information concerning their identity, passport and travel dates and pay visa fee online. The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye provides information about the procedure for entering and exiting the territory of the Republic of Türkiye.

MORE INFORMATION
visa-information
visa-information

It is possible to obtain e-Visa 7/24 at everywhere with internet connection. The applicants can obtain their visa after they fill in the necessary information concerning their identity, passport and travel dates and pay visa fee online. The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye provides information about the procedure for entering and exiting the territory of the Republic of Türkiye.

MORE INFORMATION

The post CSD Summit İstanbul April, 2026 first appeared on AMEDA | Africa & Middle East Depositories Association.

]]> WFC – World Forum Of Central Securities Depositors, Almaty 2025 https://www.ameda.org.eg/wfc2025-almaty/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wfc2025-almaty Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:35:50 +0000 https://www.ameda.org.eg/?p=5133

WHERE FMIs SHAPE THE FUTURE

WFC –  the World Forum of Central Securities Depositories will take place in the vibrant city of Almaty, nestled amidst the stunning Tien Shan mountains. The event, hosted by the Kazakhstan Central Securities Depository (KCSD), is set to bring together over 250 industry leaders, experts, and visionaries from across the global financial ecosystem.

This year’s theme, “Evolving Landscape of CSDs: Navigating Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future of Post-Trade Infrastructures”, will spark dynamic discussions on the future of the post-trade industry. Expert speakers from across the globe will address key topics such as the role of CSDs in transforming financial markets, advancements in settlement efficiency, embracing new technologies like AI and blockchain, and fostering global connectivity.

Join us in Almaty from September 23-26, 2025, to engage with the leading minds in the industry, build meaningful connections, and contribute to the ongoing transformation of the post-trade landscape. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to shape the future of the financial ecosystem.

WFC 2025 Almaty Conference Launching In

2025/09/23 13:00:00
Registration Closed

Agenda

Pre-Forum Day

Pre-Forum Day: 23 September 2025 (Tuesday)

 

  • 13:00 – 13:30
Welcome Coffee (Member Associations only)
  • 13:30 – 15:00
WFC Board Meeting (Member Associations only)
  • 15:00 – 15:15
Coffee Break (Member Associations only)
  • 15:15 – 17:15
Parallel Meetings of the CSD Associations (Member Associations only)
  • 17:15 – 19:00
Free Time
  • 19:00 – 21:00
 Welcome Reception (All registered forum participants)

Day One

DAY ONE: 24TH SEPTEMBER 2025 (WEDNESDAY)

 

 

  • 08:30 – 09:00
Registration and Welcome Coffee
  • 09:00 – 9:30
Welcome Speech
  • 9:30:30 – 10:30
Opening Plenary Session: Evolving Role of CSDs in Transforming the Global Financial Market Landscape
  • 10:30 – 11:00
Coffee Break
  • 11:00 – 11:30
Keynote Speech
  • 11:30 – 12:30
Executive Panel Session I: Diversification and Development of New Initiatives in the Post-Trade Industry
  • 12:30 – 12:50
Group Photo
  • 12:50 – 14:00
Lunch
  • 14:00 – 15:00
Panel Session I: Settlement Efficiency: Strategies for Improvement
  • 15:00 – 15:20
Keynote Speech
  • 15:20 – 15:50
Coffee Break
  • 15:50 – 16:50
Panel Session II: Transformation of CSDs’ IT Architecture
  • 16:50 – 19:00
Free time
  • 19:00 – 21:00
Dinner

Day Two

Day Two: 25th September 2025 (Thursday)

 

  • 08:45 – 09:15
Welcome Coffee
  • 09:15 – 09:30
Keynote Speech
  • 09:30 – 10:30
Executive Panel Session II: The Future of CSDs: Embracing AI, Blockchain and Digital Assets
  • 10:30 – 11:00
Coffee Break
  • 11:00 – 12:00
Panel Session III: Bridging the Markets: Fostering Global Connectivity and Interoperability
  • 12:00 – 12:20
Case Study Presentation I: The Role of the Post-Trade Community in Advancing Sustainable Development
  • 12:20 – 12:40
 Plenary Speech
  • 12:40 – 14:00
Lunch 
  • 14:00 – 14:20
Case Study Presentation II: Building Efficient Risk Management within the PFMI Framework
  • 14:20 – 15:20
Panel Session IV: Establishing Effective Business Continuity Processes to Mitigate Risks in the Post-Trade Industry
  • 15:20 – 16:00
Case Study Presentation III: Data as an Asset: Sharing, Reporting and Monetization 
  • 16:00 – 16:30
Coffee Break
  • 16:30 – 16:45
Presentation WFC2027
  • 16:45 – 17:00
Closing Speech by WFC Chair
  • 19:00 – 22:00
Farewell Dinner

Day Three

Day Three: 26th September 2025 (Friday) Cultural Program Schedule

 

  • 9:00
Departure from the hotels to the cultural program
  • 9:30 
Arrival at the Medeu station
  • 9:30 – 10:00
Scenic cable car ascent to the Shymbulak resort
  • 10:00 – 12:30
Cultural activities: Ceramics masterclass, Horseback riding through mountain trails
  • 12:30 – 14:00
Lunch at Big Chef’s restaurant
Download Agenda

Speakers

Timur Suleimenov

Timur Suleimenov

Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan
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Timur Suleimenov

Timur Suleimenov Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan

Graduated from Pavlodar State University with a degree in Economics and Management in Social Sector and Industries (2000). Graduated from the University of Maryland under the Bolashak Programme with a Master’s degree in Business with a major in Finance (USA, 2002).

Professional Experience
2002-2006 – Tax Consultant, Ernst & Young Kazakhstan.
2006-2009 – Director of the Tax Accounting and Tax Planning Department, KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (oil and gas company).
2009-2010 – Vice-Minister of Economy and Budget Planning.
2010-2012 – Vice Minister of Economic Development and Trade.
2012-2016 – Member of the Board (Minister) in charge of Economy and Financial Policy, Eurasian Economic Commission.
2016-2019 – Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
2019 – Deputy Governor, National Bank of Kazakhstan.
2019 – Assistant to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
2019-2022 – Deputy Chief of Staff on socio-economic issues of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
2022-2023 – First Deputy Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

On September 4, 2023, Mr. Suleimenov was appointed as the Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan by the President Decree of the Republic of Kazakhstan No 334.

Madina Abylkassymova, WFC 2025

Madina Abylkassymova

Chairperson of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for regulation and development of the financial market
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Madina Abylkassymova, WFC 2025

Madina Abylkassymova Chairperson of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for regulation and development of the financial market

Madina Abylkassymova received her first degree in Economics from the Kazakh State Academy of Management. She holds MIA degree in Economic Policy Management from Columbia University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Madina Abylkassymova is the Chairperson of the Agency for Regulation and Development of Financial Market. She took office as the Chair of the newly established financial regulatory authority of Kazakhstan in January, 2020.

Prior to her current appointment, Ms. Abylkassymova was a Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. In this capacity she oversaw monetary policy, financial stability, balance of payments and financial statistics.

Before joining National Bank, since 2011 she worked as a Vice Minister at the Ministry of National Economy, Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, with a focus on strategic economic development issues and macroeconomic policy.

She also has served as a Deputy Head at the Centre for Strategic Development and Analysis at the President’s Administration, Prime Minister’s Office.

Sebastien Boitreaud, WFC 2025

Sebastien Boitreaud

Lead Financial Sector Specialist, The World Bank
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Sebastien Boitreaud, WFC 2025

Sebastien Boitreaud Lead Financial Sector Specialist, The World Bank

Sebastien Boitreaud is a Lead Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank with more than 25 years of experience in public debt management and financial sector regulation and development, starting at the French Treasury where he served as Deputy Head of the Debt Management Office (Agence France Tresor). A former Alternate Executive Director for France at the International Monetary Fund, he joined the World Bank Treasury in 2012 before moving to the Long-Term Finance global team in the Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Global Practice in 2018. His current work focuses on government securities and domestic capital market development in various countries and regions. He graduated from Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) and studied at Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in France

Yedil Medeu

Yedil Medeu

WFC Chairman, Chairman of the Management Board of Central Securities Depository (KCSD)
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Yedil Medeu

Yedil Medeu WFC Chairman, Chairman of the Management Board of Central Securities Depository (KCSD)

Yedil Medeu is the Chairman of the Management Board at the Kazakhstan Central Securities Depository (KCSD). He was appointed to this position following his tenure as Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, a role he held since June 2021. With more than 15 years of experience in Kazakhstan’s securities market, Mr. Medeu possesses deep expertise in financial market infrastructure, regulatory oversight, and policy development.

Prior to joining KCSD, Mr. Medeu was the Director of the Securities Market Department at the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market. In this role, he oversaw the supervision of securities market intermediaries and played a pivotal role in developing strategic policy frameworks to foster securities market development in alignment with national socio-economic priorities. His professional journey also includes an eight-year tenure at the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where he contributed significantly to the Securities Market Department.

Mr. Medeu holds a Master’s degree in Public Economics from the National Graduate School of Policy Studies in Tokyo (Japan), equipping him with a comprehensive perspective on financial regulation and economic policy.

Yuji Yamashita

Principal Financial Sector Specialist, Asian Development Bank
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Yuji Yamashita Principal Financial Sector Specialist, Asian Development Bank

Yuji YAMASHITA (Mr.) joined Asian Development Bank (ADB) in June 2025, as Principal Financial Sector Specialist. Prior to joining ADB, he worked for Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA), Bank of Japan (BoJ), International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and other organizations. Yuji has worked on a range of important international financial issues including banking and securities regulations, settlements and payments, derivatives, digital assets, AI, ESG, monetary policy, foreign reserve management and arrangements of G20 meetings. At JFSA, he chaired four international forums on key policy topics–Money Market Funds Reform, Asian Regional Funds Passport, Legal Entity Identifiers, and Financial Consumer Protection. At IASB, he was a project leader to develop a new accounting model to represent banks’ dynamic interest rate risk management. At BoJ, he served as an economist focusing on interactions between accounting standards and macro-economic as well as financial market developments. He represented BoJ in Western Europe at its Paris office, and Asia at its Hong Kong office. Yuji earned his Master’s degree in Public Financial Policy from the London School of Economics and his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Tokyo.

Mark Gem

Mark Gem

Chair of Risk Committee, Clearstream
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Mark Gem

Mark Gem Chair of Risk Committee, Clearstream

Mark Gem has been with Clearstream for over 20 years and a board member since 2007, leading the network management, primary markets and compliance areas. He was responsible for Clearstream’s T2S strategy. He currently chairs Clearstream’s Risk Committee, amongst many other things oversaw the post-Brexit organization of Clearstream’s UK business and Clearstream’s overall response to the COVID-19 crisis and to the war in Ukraine. He is a member of the Swift board. He has chaired ECSDA, the European CSD Association, since 2021.

Abdulla Abdin

Abdulla Jaffar Abdin

Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear and AMEDA President
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Abdulla Jaffar Abdin Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear

Abdulla Abdin has Masters in Business Administration from the University of Glamorgan UK, and currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer – Bahrain Clear. He is the President of the African Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA), and Vice Chairman of World Forum of Central Depositories (WFC). Mr. Abdin has over 35 years of experience in Banking and Capital Market structure, regulations and operations.

Dr.-Ekrem-Arikan

Dr. Ekrem Arikan

Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu, Türkiye's Central Securities Depository
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Dr.-Ekrem-Arikan

Dr. Ekrem Arikan Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu, Türkiye's Central Securities Depository

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Boğaziçi University, an MBA from Yeditepe University, and a PhD in Business Administration from İstanbul Ticaret University.

He began his career at Microsoft (1998–2006), where he managed the development of Windows operating systems for Turkish-speaking markets as a program manager. He later held management roles at Ziraat Bankası Group companies, Ziraat Teknoloji and Ziraat Hayat Emeklilik, overseeing IT, corporate development and strategic initiatives. In 2015, he joined EPİAŞ, Energy Exchange of Türkiye, as Strategy Development Director.

In 2016, he was appointed Executive Vice President for IT at Takasbank, where he contributed to major financial market infrastructure projects such as the BISTECH transition, blockchain-based digital asset initiatives (BiGA), establishment of R&D center, and the development of clearing and collateral management systems. In April 2019, he assumed the role of General Manager and Board Member of Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK), Türkiye’s Central Securities Depository. He pioneered in his management period the development of numerous new products and services such as; custody services provided to the Turkish Mercantile Exchange, establishment of the Omnibus Account structure and membership of Euroclear Bank and the Azerbaijan CSD (Milli Deposit Merkezi), founding of the Crowdfunding Platform (CFS), development of the Electronic Trade Repository (e-TR), implementation of the Electronic General Meeting (e-GMS) system across various international capital markets. Additionally, he facilitated the acquisition of the MKK GABİM company from the Turkish Association of Appraisers. Moreover, he led development and establishment of the Data Analysis Platform (VAP), Investor Information Center (e-YATIRIMCI), Bearer Shares Registry System (HPKS), Investor Risk Monitoring System (YRTS), Intermediary Institutions Data Analysis Platform (PUSULA) and the Real Estate Based and Developing Financial Instruments Information System (GEFAS) platform.

Badiuddin Akber

Badiuddin Akber

Chief Executive Officer, Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited
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Badiuddin Akber

Badiuddin Akber Chief Executive Officer, Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited

Mr. Badiuddin Akber has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited (CDC) since January 1, 2019. With a remarkable 25 years of diversified senior management experience in finance and operations, Mr. Akber has held significant roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at the National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited, and Chief Compliance & Risk Officer at CDC. He has also served as Head of Finance and Company Secretary in various renowned conglomerates in Pakistan. He was also the nominated Chairman of the Oversight Committee formed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Joint Inspection Regulations, 2015.

He is recognized as a trusted leader in Pakistan’s capital market and has represented the country at international forums. As a matter of pride for CDC and Pakistan’s financial and capital market, Mr. Akber is currently serving as Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Central Securities Depository Group (ACG) for the term of 2024-2027, and as ACG Chairman, he is also representing the Asia- Pacific region on the Executive Board of the World Forum of CSDs (WFC).

Mr. Akber has demonstrated extensive expertise in the spheres of Financial Management, Clearing & Settlement, Risk Management, Operations, Product Development, and Project Management in the Pakistan Capital Market. As Chief Operating Officer at NCCPL, he played an instrumental role in implementing significant capital market reforms, including the Revamping of Capital Gain Tax Regime, Unique Identification Number (UIN), Institutions’ Risk Management System, Straight Through Processing of Market Settlements, and UIN Information System (UIS). He also led the introduction of Leverage Products such as Margin Trading, Margin Financing, and Securities Lending & Borrowing.

Mr. Akber completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Karachi and attained various professional degrees in accounts and finance from prestigious national and international institutions. He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of Pakistan (FCMA), and holds the ACMA-CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountants) qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA – UK), as well as the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA – Ontario, Canada) qualification.

In addition to his role at CDC, Mr. Akber serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of CDC Share Registrar Services Limited. Moreover, he is also serving as a Director on the Board of ITMinds Limited, and Naymat Collateral Management Company Ltd. Mr. Akber also represents CDC on the Pakistan Business Council and has attended the Annual International Institute for Securities Market Growth and Development by the US Securities & Exchange Commission and various seminars and conferences in the UK, India, Europe, and Far-East countries on risk management, clearing & settlement, and surveillance of capital market operations.

Bruce Butterill

Bruce Butterill

Executive Director, ACSDA
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Bruce Butterill

Bruce Butterill Executive Director, ACSDA

Bruce Butterill a Canadian citizen, based in Colombia and is the Executive Director of the Americas’ Central Securities Depository Association (ACSDA), a position he has held since 2007. He is also an independent Capital Market Infrastructure consultant, and has worked on engagements with Securities Depositories, Clearing Corporations and Stock Exchanges in 17 countries across the globe.

Prior to becoming a consultant Bruce spent 19 years with CDS, the Canadian Depository for Securities, where at various times, as a member of the Executive Management Committee, he was the senior executive responsible for national operations, international relations and the product management/development functions.

Giorgi Laliashvili

Senior Financial Sector Specialist, The World Bank
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Giorgi Laliashvili Senior Financial Sector Specialist, The World Bank

Giorgi Laliashvili is a Senior Financial Sector Specialist with the Finance, Competitiveness and Investment Global Department of the World Bank Group, Long-Term Finance unit since 2024.

Prior to joining WB Giorgi worked at the central bank of Georgia as a head of Financial Markets. Giorgi has more than 20 years of experience working in the financial sector on market development issues.

He has led reforms related to financial markets in his country and abroad and participated in technical assistance programs across Central Asia, East Africa and Middle East.

Under his leadership, Georgia created and developed a local currency debt issuance program, reformed post trade infrastructure for the entire securities market, introduced legislation on dematerialized securities holdings, initiated the setup of interbank repo market, introduced money market risk-free benchmark, led reforms on derivatives and financial collateral.

He holds a master’s degree in development economics from Williams College in the USA and in Banking and Finance from Tbilisi State University, Georgia.

Satoru Yamadera

Advisor, Asian Development Bank
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Satoru Yamadera Advisor, Asian Development Bank

Mr. Yamadera has been serving the Secretariat of the Asian Bond Markets Initiative (ABMI) of ASEAN+3 since 2014.

He has vast experiences in capital market development, payment systems, fintech, cybersecurity, and regional financial cooperation.

Currently, he leads the ASEAN+3 Bond Market Forum (ABMF), a common platform to foster standardization and harmonization of the bond markets. He also leads the Cross-border Settlement Infrastructure Forum (CSIF) to create cross-border linkages among the central banks and central securities depositories.

Mr. Yamadera has over 25 years of professional experience in central banking including research, banking supervision, and financial cooperation at the Bank of Japan.

Pedro Gurrola-Perez

Pedro Gurrola-Perez

Head of Research, The World Federation of Exchanges
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Pedro Gurrola-Perez

Pedro Gurrola-Perez Head of Research, The World Federation of Exchanges

Pedro joined the World Federation of Exchanges in October 2019 from the Bank of England, where he led the Financial Market Infrastructures Directorate’s Research Team. He had joined the Bank of England in 2013, after two years at the UK Financial Services Authority. Previously, Pedro spent more than 15 years as a lecturer and researcher at various academic institutions, including the University of Barcelona and the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM).

Pedro holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Montpellier, France, and has published across key academic journals, including the Journal of Financial Market Infrastructures, the Journal of Risk, International Finance, and the Journal of Futures Markets. His recent work includes research on the economics of distributed ledger technologies (DLT), on the network structure of settlement fails, and on the procyclicality of CCP margin models. He has also published research on payment systems, on back-testing methodologies, and on the structure of interest rate futures markets. In 2007 he received the National Award on Derivatives Research, awarded by the Mexican Derivatives Exchange (MexDer). He has served as a member of the Consultative Working Group of ESMA’s CCP Policy Committee and currently serves as a member of the Board of Advisors of the Robert A. Schwartz Center for Trading and Financial Markets Research at Baruch College.

Bryan Pascoe

Bryan Pascoe

Chief Executive, International Capital Market Association
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Bryan Pascoe Chief Executive, International Capital Market Association

Bryan Pascoe took over the role of Chief Executive of the International Capital Market Association in September 2021, assuming responsibility for leading ICMA’s work with its global membership of over 620 entities representing all constituent participants across all regions in the international debt capital markets.  The primary mission of ICMA is to promote resilient, well-functioning and globally coherent fixed income markets through both effective regulatory advocacy and the advancement of best practice. Prior to joining ICMA Bryan built up almost 30 years of experience across investment and corporate banking, global markets businesses and bank treasury functions in London, Hong Kong and the Middle East.  Most of his previous career was spent at HSBC where he held high profile and large-scale leadership positions across both prominent front-line business areas and critical functions including Global Head of Debt Capital Markets, and Group Treasurer and Head of Asset, Liability and Capital Management through times of considerable market development, challenge and disruption.

Gerard Smith

Gerard Smith

Vice President, Head of Post Trade Solutions, Nasdaq
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Gerard Smith

Gerard Smith Vice President, Head of Post Trade Solutions, Nasdaq

Gerard Smith is Vice President and Head of Post Trade Solutions within Nasdaq’s Marketplace Technology business where he leads product strategy for Nasdaq’s post trade technology platform. Before joining Nasdaq, Gerard was Managing Director, Head of Post Trade Product Development at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing. In this role, Gerard led a team of Product and Network Managers in all aspects of the exchange’s Post Trade business. Prior to this, he served as Product Director in Collateral and Liquidity Management at LCH Ltd. He also held positions with Euroclear and the Bank of England. For over 15 years, Gerard has led change, gaining extensive experience in trading, clearing, settlement, payments and collateral management. Gerard has a master’s degree in European Politics and a bachelor’s degree in Politics.

Hikmet Yilmazsoy, WFC 2025

Hikmet Can Yılmazsoy

Head of Türkiye, Caucasus and Central Asia, Swift
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Hikmet Yilmazsoy, WFC 2025

Hikmet Can Yılmazsoy Head of Türkiye, Caucasus and Central Asia, Swift

Hikmet Can Yilmazsoy is the Head of Türkiye, Caucasus and Central Asia at Swift, where he is overseeing the relations and engagements with key stakeholders in the financial ecosystem including central banks, financial institutions, market infrastructures and regulatory bodies. Since joining Swift in 2018, Can served as the Country Manager for Türkiye and Qatar until his current role. Prior to his tenure at Swift, he led business development and project management activities in cash management, payment systems and digital banking areas with a leading bank in Türkiye. In addition, Can drove high-impact strategic initiatives in the customer experience management, retail banking and corporate finance areas throughout his 16 years of banking career. He holds an MBA degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a BSc in Industrial Engineering from Bilkent University, with executive education from Columbia University and INSEAD.

Jesús Sánchez

Jesús Sánchez

Head of Domestic Settlement Services, SIX Group
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Jesús Sánchez

Jesús Sánchez Head of Domestic Settlement Services, SIX Group

Over 30 years of experience in the industry in various positions, mainly in the areas of Settlement and Custody. Joined Iberclear at BME Group (SIX Group) more than 19 years ago, where has worked in different departments and participated in international working groups. Currently, Head of Domestic Settlement Services in SIX Group. Chairperson of the Settlement Working Group of the European Central Securities Depositories Association (ECSDA), where the ECSDA CSDR Penalties Framework was agreed and where settlement efficiency was one of the key issues, and as well as Chair of the Market Settlement Efficiency (MSE) Workshop of T2S, where relevant efficiency issues are assessed and further discussions in the national communities are supported. Member of the EU T+1 Industry Committee, which is established to drive the transition to a T+1 settlement cycle across the securities markets of the European Union and the European Economic Area, by the transition date to be agreed upon by the EU co-legislators. The Industry Committee will ensure a coordinated, ambitious, efficient, modern, and inclusive approach to achieving settlement efficiency and operational resilience, aligning with international efforts as relevant. Also member of various market committees and expert groups at national and international level such as the T2S CSDs Steering Group (CSG), the Advisory Group on Market Infrastructures for Securities and Collateral (AMI-SeCo), the Spanish National Stakeholder Group (NSG). Prior to joining Iberclear in 2006, worked at Citibank for 14 years, being the Head of Equities and Fixed Income Settlement and Custody departments. Degree in Economics and Business by Universidad Autónoma of Madrid and an Executive Master of Business Administration. Volunteer activities, participating in several NGDOs and also in development initiatives for young people.

Alexandre Kech

Alexandre Kech

Chief Executive Officer, Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation
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Alexandre Kech

Alexandre Kech Chief Executive Officer, Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation

Prior to joining GLEIF, Alexandre Kech was Head of Digital Securities at the SIX Digital Exchange. As a member of the Executive Board, Alex had full executive responsibility for the Digital Securities business vertical, including sales and relationship management, product development, business design, and ecosystem expansion.

Over the past 25 years, Alex has constructed a unique career combining finance at BNY Mellon, payments/securities infrastructure and standards at SWIFT, and blockchain and digital assets at Onchain Custodian (ONC) and, most recently, Citi Ventures. As co-founder and CEO of ONC, Alex led the Singapore and Shanghai-based team that built custody and prime brokerage services for crypto and other digital assets from scratch. As Blockchain & Digital Asset director at Citi Ventures, he built a team to engage the European ecosystem on emerging use cases for blockchain technologies and digital assets.

Alex is also involved in industry and standardization initiatives. As the convenor of the ISO TC 68 / SC8 / WG3, which produced the ISO 24165 Digital Token Identifier (DTI), he is a member of the DTI Foundation Product Advisory Committee. He also recently served as co-chair of the Global Digital Finance (gdf.io) custody working group.

Alex earned a bachelor’s degree in translation and an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology while building Onchain Custodian, putting theory into practice in real-time.

Cornelia Dagdag

Cornelia Dagdag

Managing Director for APAC Enterprise Services, DTCC
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Cornelia Dagdag

Cornelia Dagdag Managing Director for APAC Enterprise Services, DTCC

Cornelia (Nellie) Dagdag is Managing Director for APAC Enterprise Services at DTCC. Based in the Philippines, Nellie is responsible for ensuring a comprehensive approach to elevating the client experience in Asia Pacific, aligning and coordinating resources to support revenue and sales targets and business objectives in the region. Nellie also spearheads establishing a strong industry presence and company reputation in the region through client events and partnerships with key infrastructure providers and industry associations.
Apart from her Enterprise Services responsibilities, Nellie provides senior leadership and mentoring to employees in support of DTCC’s business operations in Asia Pacific, driving strategic initiatives to accelerate the growth of DTCC’s community of broker/dealers, custodian banks and asset managers operating in the region. She also provides senior leadership to DTCC Manila, the firm’s key operational center in APAC.
Nellie is also a Philippine representative/member of the ASEAN+3 Bond Market Forum (ABMF) and was also a member of the ASEAN+3 Group of Experts (GOE), two regional groups tasked by member countries with identifying barriers to liquidity in fixed income trading and settlement in ASEAN+3. ASEAN+3 is an aggrupation of the 10 ASEAN member-countries plus Japan, Korea and China. Nellie speaks and moderates frequently at DTCC’s and industry events on topics ranging from post-trade lifecycle, middle office operations to accelerated settlement. She is featured in many trade publications as a thought leader in the space of post-trade settlement.
Before joining Omgeo (fully acquired by DTCC in 2013), Nellie held several senior positions at the Philippine Central Depository, Inc. between 1995 and 2004, becoming President and Chief Executive Officer in March 1999. She also served as the President and COO of the Philippine Securities Settlement Corp., the clearing and settlement entity for the Philippine foreign currency (USD) and fixed income markets and was concurrently Managing Director for Technology & Operations of the PDS Group, comprising the depository, fixed income exchange and PSSC.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of San Jose- Recoletos and is a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines.

Julia Mckenny

Julia McKenny

Chief Executive Officer, International Securities Services Association
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Julia Mckenny

Julia McKenny Chief Executive Officer, International Securities Services Association

Julia McKenny serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Securities Services Association, a position she officially assumed on 16 June 2025. Julia’s academic achievements are both diverse and commendable; she holds a Bachelor of Education from Sydney University and a Bachelor of Laws from Newcastle University in Australia. Further fortifying her credentials, she completed rigorous legal training at the College of Law, Australia, before earning her admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Julia’s career in securities services began at JP Morgan in 2004, where she laid the foundation for a trajectory of influential roles at globally recognized institutions, including Northern Trust, State Street, Morgan Stanley, Accenture and Standard Chartered. Her journey reflects a legacy of leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in the securities services domain.

Jim Micklethwaite

Managing Director, Financial Markets, Thomas Murray
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Jim Micklethwaite Managing Director, Financial Markets, Thomas Murray

Jim manages the Financial Markets business at Thomas Murray, and is a financial market infrastructure and custody expert with over 28 years’ experience in the financial services industry. His responsibilities include oversight of the suite of Risk Intelligence and Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI) assessment products, developing key business relationships with market practitioners and running the FMI strategic Advisory business. Jim is a subject matter expert on post-trade infrastructure and has led various strategic consulting projects for stock exchanges, CSDs, CCPs as well as custodian banks. Before joining Thomas Murray in 1995, he was at Taylor Nelson Sofres as a Project Supervisor in its Financial division. Jim enjoys helping FMIs to resolve strategic issues, and supporting them in achieving best market practice standards across their operations.

Miguel Espinoza

Head of Capital Markets, Montran
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Miguel Espinoza Head of Capital Markets, Montran

Miguel Espinoza is the Head of Capital Market Solutions at Montran. He has been actively involved in the development and implementation of over 30 financial market infrastructures worldwide. With a background in IT, he seamlessly integrates technical expertise with business knowledge to deliver innovative, efficient, and optimized solutions. His global experience ensures that Montran’s clients benefit the best market practices with a focus on cutting-edge strategies in settlement and operational efficiency.

In his role, Miguel oversees the overall development and strategic direction of Montran’s Capital Market solutions. He and his team continuously evaluate existing processes, explore new initiatives, and assess emerging technologies to drive innovation and enhance Montran’s offerings.

Gunsel Topbas

Gunsel Topbas

Co-Founder, Fintech Practice Lead, Manifest Executive Consultancy
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Gunsel Topbas

Gunsel Topbas Co-Founder, Fintech Practice Lead, Manifest Executive Consultancy

Gunsel Topbas brings over two decades of executive management experience in Middle East and Africa (MEA) capital markets, specializing in securities services, financial technologies, and digital transformation. As Co-Founder and Fintech Practice Lead of Manifest Executive Consultancy, a boutique firm in Dubai, he advises financial institutions and market infrastructure organizations on post-trade transformation, digital assets, and green finance. Previously, he spent over 20 years at Citibank, most recently as Managing Director and Regional Head of Custody for the MEA region, based in Dubai DIFC, overseeing the business across 14 countries. Earlier, he led the International Department at Takasbank, Borsa Istanbul’s post-trade market infrastructure institution. A recognized thought leader and frequent speaker at major industry forums, Gunsel focuses on AI and blockchain applications in financial services, asset tokenization, and fintech-driven sustainability and green finance initiatives. In addition to his professional experience, he is actively engaged in fintech education, delivering training sessions and coaching executives on industry competencies. He also lectures on Alternative Investments at the American University of Sharjah and serves on the Digital Assets Working Group of the MENA Fintech Association. He holds a PhD in Corporate Finance, MSc degrees in International Banking & Finance and Money & Banking, and a BSc in Computer Engineering, graduating as valedictorian.

Sarah Tarawneh

Sarah Tarawneh

CEO Securities Depository Center (SDC) – Jordan & AMEDA Board Member
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Sarah Tarawneh

Sarah Tarawneh CEO Securities Depository Center (SDC) – Jordan & AMEDA Board Member

Sarah Tarawneh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities Depository Center of Jordan, the sole entity responsible for securities registration, clearing and settlement of traded securities, and the provision of post-trade services to investors. Under her leadership, the SDC also serves as Jordan’s designated numbering agency. Sarah oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations and is accountable for its administrative, financial, legal, and technical affairs.

With over 20 years of experience at the SDC, Sarah has played a key role in shaping the business processes of the depository, clearing and settlement systems, and in drafting legislation governing capital market operations in Jordan. She has been instrumental in ensuring adherence to international standards and best practices across the capital market industry.

At the international level, Sarah serves as a Director on the Management Body of the Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA). She is also a Board Member of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges (FEAS) and the Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA), contributing to governance, strategic development, and industry-wide collaboration.

Before her appointment as CEO, Sarah was Director of Legal Affairs at the SDC, where she also managed research and public relations. She began her career as a licensed lawyer with a private law firm specializing in commercial and civil law.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Jordan and is a licensed barrister with the Jordanian Bar Association. She has completed numerous specialized capital market training programs and holds the CFA Institute’s Investment Foundations Certificate.

Jesse-Kagoma

Jesse Kagoma

Chief Executive, Central Depository and Settlement Corporation, AMEDA Board Member
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Jesse-Kagoma

Jesse Kagoma Chief Executive, Central Depository and Settlement Corporation, AMEDA Board Member

Mr. Jesse Kagoma is the Chief Executive of the Central Depository and Settlement Corporation (CDSC) Kenya, effective September 1, 2023, to provide leadership and oversight of the Company.

He is a seasoned and accomplished business manager, joined CDSC in May 2018 to take charge of the Finance department and later assumed the position of General Manager, Business Support Services and CFO. He has over 19 years of experience in financial reporting, business turnarounds, advising on business growth, strategy formulation and its execution, business valuations, balance sheet restructuring, merger and acquisitions processes, budgetary controls, financial planning, investment funds management, tax planning among others spanning different sectors of the East African Economies.

He holds a Master’s in Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Business Management (Finance & Banking) from Moi University, a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). Currently finalising PhD in Business Administration (Finance) at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Alejandro Berney

Alejandro Berney

Director, Caja de Valores
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Alejandro Berney

Alejandro Berney Director, Caja de Valores

Alejandro Berney has been a Director at Caja de Valores since September 2014 and Investor Relations Officer at BYMA since May 2022.

BYMA is Argentina’s new stock exchange that brings together and represents the main players in the country’s capital market. Through a modern, agile, and competitive platform, twelve trillion pesos (ie USD 12 billion) are traded daily in the equity, fixed income, repo, and financial derivatives markets. BYMA is the necessary evolution for the country’s development, connecting it with global markets and investors.

Before joining Caja de Valores, A. Berney was responsible for the Securities Services business for Citibank in Latin America. Alejandro began his career at Citibank in 1995 as Manager for Latin America in the custody business, initially based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and later in São Paulo, Brazil. He subsequently held various roles in New York in Strategic Planning, Securities Lending, and Sales.

Prior to that, A. Berney worked in various product development, sales, and marketing positions at Banco de Boston and Exxon Argentina.

Alejandro holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Buenos Aires and earned an MBA from CEMA.

Barnaby Nelson

Barnaby Nelson

Chief Executive Officer, The Value Exchange
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Barnaby Nelson

Barnaby Nelson Chief Executive Officer, The Value Exchange

Barney has worked for over 15 years in the post-trade capital markets space: leading transforming custody and cash businesses to the point of market leadership. Until 2018, he led Standard Chartered Bank’s custody business in Asia and prior to that he launched BNP Paribas’ custody business in Asia. Throughout Barney’s career, he has focused on market structure and connectivity as a key theme. Having helped to launch clearing and back office outsourcing solutions in Asia- Pacific, he has since worked with regulators, global exchanges, clearing houses, brokers and investors to ensure that new technologies (such as DLT, AI and others) can be smoothly deployed as players reach for ever improving levels of efficiency. This connectivity continues at #theValueExchange, where Barney’s attention is now focused on delivering actionable, statistical insights on key market dynamics. Leveraging unique benchmarking and insight technologies, Barney is now helping market participants to make the right decisions and giving sales organizations the data and tools they need to maximize their revenues in changing times.

Haruna Jalo-Waziri

Director/Chief Executive Officer, Central Securities Clearing System PLC (CSCS)
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Haruna Jalo-Waziri Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Central Securities Clearing System PLC (CSCS)

Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), Nigeria’s premier Financial Market Infrastructure, where he leads strategic initiatives to drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainable growth, enhancing CSCS’s role in depository, clearing, and settlement services across multiple exchanges in the Nigerian capital market.

With three decades of experience spanning Investment Banking, Securities Trading, Pension Funds Administration, Asset Management, Business Development, and Financial Market Regulation, Jalo has a distinguished career in leading successful start-ups and business transformations. An award-winning executive, Jalo is an alumnus of Lagos Business School, IESE Spain, and the Venture Capital Institute of America. He holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration and is a Chartered Stockbroker, an Associate of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) UK, and a Life Member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria.

Beyond his executive role, Jalo actively contributes to global and regional financial market development. He is the Vice Chair of the Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) and represents the World Forum of Central Securities Depositories (WFC) on the Board of the International Securities Services Association (ISSA), Geneva. He sits on a number of industry wide committees, including those of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. A passionate advocate for education and social impact, Jalo serves on the boards of several non-profits, including BusinessDay’s Advisory Board, Special Olympics Nigeria, and AIFA Reading Society.

Stanley Chan

Stanley Chan

Chief Executive Officer, CMU OmniClear Limited
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Stanley Chan

Stanley Chan Chief Executive Officer, CMU OmniClear Limited

Mr Stanley Chan is the Chief Executive Officer of CMU OmniClear Limited. CMU OmniClear Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Exchange Fund which carries out the operation and business development activities the CMU, a debt securities clearing and settlement system on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Prior to joining CMU OmniClear, Mr Chan was the Division Head of Financial Market Infrastructure Service Division of the HKMA and the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong FMI Services Limited. He joined the HKMA in 1995 and served in various areas, including reserves management, financial infrastructure development, bank licensing, and clearing and settlement systems oversight. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and graduated from the University of Adelaide (Australia) with a Master of Business Administration.

Bandar Alkahail

Chief of Business Development, Edaa
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Bandar Alkahail Chief of Business Development, Edaa

Bandar Alkahail is the Chief of Business Development at the Securities Depository Center Company (Edaa), a subsidiary of Saudi Tadawul Group. With over 17 years of experience in banking and financial markets, he has played a key role in shaping industry developments. Before joining Edaa, Bandar held leadership positions at Morgan Stanley and Barclays, gaining extensive expertise in financial services, capital markets, and strategic business growth. Bandar holds a Master of Science in Computing for Financial Markets from the University of Stirling in the UK, and has completed multiple executive leadership programs.

Venue - The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty

Suggested Accommodation

The Ritz-Carlton Almaty
The Ritz-Carlton Almaty
Sadu Hotel
Sadu Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Almaty
DoubleTree by Hilton Almaty
Novotel Almaty City Center
Novotel Almaty City Center

Visa Information

You can find out whether you need a visa to visit Kazakhstan on the website of the Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Visa regime of the Republic of Kazakhstan for foreign citizеns  ,  or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Visa regime of the Republic of Kazakhstan for foreign citizens

evisa-kazakhstan
evisa-kazakhstan

You can find out whether you need a visa to visit Kazakhstan on the website of the Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Visa regime of the Republic of Kazakhstan for foreign citizеns  ,  or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Visa regime of the Republic of Kazakhstan for foreign citizens

The post WFC – World Forum Of Central Securities Depositors, Almaty 2025 first appeared on AMEDA | Africa & Middle East Depositories Association.

]]> AMEDA – Lagos Conference 2025 https://www.ameda.org.eg/ameda-lagos-conference-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ameda-lagos-conference-2025 Tue, 14 Jan 2025 12:14:00 +0000 https://www.ameda.org.eg/?p=4334

AMEDA- Lagos Conference 2025 - Live-streaming (April 24-25, 2025)

DAY 1

DAY 2

About AMEDA - Lagos Conference

AMEDA – Lagos conference hosted by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, this two-day event presents a unique opportunity to facilitate a think-tank gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders across Africa and the Middle East, as well as other regions, to deliberate on key topical and emerging issues influencing the evolution of Financial and Securities Markets in the region.

This conference places a special spotlight on the vital role African and Middle Eastern economies play in shaping the global financial landscape. These regions are emerging as key drivers of economic transformation, with rapidly evolving financial markets, innovative technological advancements, and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems. By leveraging their youthful populations and increasing global integration, Africa and the Middle East are fast becoming epicentres of growth, innovation, and resilience. Understanding and engaging with these economies is crucial to building financial systems that are truly inclusive and sustainable.

This is not just another conference; it is a dynamic platform to spark innovative ideas, share ground-breaking solutions, and forge impactful connections that shape the financial systems of tomorrow.

Join us as we chart a course toward a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous global economy. This is your opportunity to be at the forefront of change and make a lasting impact.

AMEDA Conference Information Guide
Conference Information Guide

Central Securities Clearing System Plc CEO Message

“ am honoured to welcome you all to the Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) 41st Annual Conference, where global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts convene under the theme: “Shaping the Future: Financial Markets & Infrastructures as Catalysts for Transforming Economies.”

In an era of rapid economic evolution, financial markets and infrastructures are more than just enablers of transactions—they are the backbone of sustainable economic growth, stability, and inclusive development. As Africa and the Middle East are emerging as key players in the global financial landscape, this conference serves as a vital platform to explore how financial markets and infrastructures can harness innovation, regulatory advancements, and cross-border partnerships to build resilient economies.

We look forward to engaging in insightful discussions, forging strategic collaborations, and pioneering innovative solutions that will shape the financial systems of tomorrow. It is a privilege to host you in Nigeria, and we are excited to be part of the journey toward a more resilient and inclusive financial future.

Welcome, and let’s shape the future together!”

Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri AMEDA Vice President

Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Managing Director & CEO Central Securities Clearing System Plc.
(CSCS) / Nigeria and AMEDA Vice President

AMEDA President's Message

Abdulla Jaffar Abdin, AMEDA President, Chairman of the Board, WFC Vice-Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear

Mr. Abdulla Jaffar Abdin, AMEDA President, Chairman of the Board, WFC Vice-Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear

On behalf of the Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA), I am honored to express our sincere gratitude to our esteemed colleagues at the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc. For hosting this conference. This three-day event is set to be a milestone gathering, uniting visionary leaders, policymakers, and experts from Africa, the Middle East, and beyond to engage in insightful discussions on the transformation of financial and securities markets in our regions.

As Africa and the Middle East emerge as key players in the global financial landscape, it is essential that we leverage our collective strengths to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and expand financial inclusion. With rapidly evolving markets, cutting-edge technological advancements, and a spirit of entrepreneurship, our regions are shaping the future of global finance. This conference provides a vital platform to explore these changes, share knowledge, and collaborate on strategies that will define the next era of our industry.

AMEDA-Lagos 41st conference Launching In

2025/04/23 10:00:00
REGISTRATION CLOSED

Agenda

Pre-conference day: Wednesday, April 23rd

Pre-conference day: Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025

 

  • 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Delegates Registration
  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
AMEDA 4th Board Meeting
  • 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Conference Closing Gong Ceremony (By Invitation)
  • 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
NGX & CSCS Tour (AMEDA Members)
  • 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Welcome Cocktail Reception

Day 2 - Thursday, April 24th, 2025

  • 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration & Coffee
  • 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome Address
  • 9:15 AM – 9:35 AM
Welcome and Goodwill Address
  • 9:35 AM – 10:00 AM

Conference Keynote Address
  • 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Policymakers’ Roundtable: Shaping the Future: Innovation, Stability, and Inclusion in an Era of Disruption.
  • 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Coffee Break
  • 11:15 AM – 11:35 AM

Presentation:

Transforming Economies through Financial Markets & Infrastructures

  • The pivotal role of financial markets in economic transformation.
  • Real-world examples of how FMIs drive growth in emerging and developed markets.
  • Vision for the next decade: How FMIs can address global challenges.
  • 11:35 AM – 12:30 PM
Panel Discussion
Capital Markets as Engines of Economic Transformation
  • The role of capital markets in transforming economies.
  • Expanding access to capital markets for SMEs and startups.
  • Innovations in Private Markets ecosystems.
  • Developing regional capital markets to drive local economic growth.
  • Innovations in green bonds, social bonds, and other sustainable instruments
    challenges.
  • 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
Panel Discussion
Innovation in Financial Market Infrastructures: A Game-Changer for Growth
  • Blockchain and distributed ledger technology for clearing and settlement systems.
  • The rise of digital assets and tokenized securities.
  • Cloud computing and AI for operational efficiency
  • Private Markets on the Rise!
    Case Study: Real World Applications of new technologies in Financial Infrastructures
  • 12:50 PM – 1:00 PM
Keynote Address
  • 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Buffet Lunch
  • 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Keynote
Africa & the Middle East: Repositioning in a Rapidly Evolving Global Economy
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Panel Discussion
Africa & Middle East Vision 2030: Shaping Tomorrow’s Financial Markets for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth

  • The future of Africa-Middle East economic partnerships.
  • Aligning national visions like Saudi Vision 2030 and Agenda 2063.
  • Discussion on long-term strategies for innovation and resilience.
  • Inclusive growth strategies involving women, youth, and SMEs.
  • Role of private-public partnerships in market transformation.
  • Engaging stakeholders to build trust and transparency in financial systems.
  • Audience Q&A to gather diverse perspectives on the path forward.
  • 3:45 PM – 4:10 PM

Fireside Chat
Driving Financial Inclusion through Digital Transformation

  • Leveraging mobile money platforms to increase market participation.
  • Tokenization as a tool to democratize investments.
  • Closing the digital divide to include underserved regions in Africa & Middle East financial markets.
  • 4:10 PM – 4:20 PM

Keynote Address
  • 4:20 PM – 4:30 PM
Closing Remarks
  • 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
AMEDA 41st AGM Meeting Closed Session (members only)
  • 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

DINNER

Day 3 - Friday, April 25th, 2025

  • 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
Opening Address and Recap of Day One
  • 9:10 AM – 9:30 AM

Presentation:
Modernizing Financial Market Infrastructures

  • Benchmark diagnostic of the state of Financial Infrastructure in the Africa & Middle East region
  • Examine cutting-edge tools, such as AI, DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology), and cloud computing.
  • Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and blockchain in clearing and settlement systems.
  • Cloud computing for enhanced operational efficiency.
  • The role of AI and machine learning in risk management and fraud detection.
    Case Study: A recent FMI application of new technologies to improve transparency and reduce costs.
  • 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Panel Discussion:
Resilience in Financial Markets: Preparing for Global Disruptions

  • How do we ensure stability in adopting innovative technologies?
  • What frameworks are necessary to assess systemic risks in digital FMIs?
  • How can public and private sectors collaborate to build resilient infrastructures?
  • Cybersecurity in FMIs: Trends, risks, and prevention
  • Building operational resilience to withstand systemic shocks.
  • Lessons learned from recent crises (e.g., pandemic, geopolitical instability)
  • 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM

Panel Discussion:
The Future of Decentralized Financial Market Infrastructures

  • Exploring the potential and challenges of decentralized finance (DeFi) in traditional markets.
  • Integrating DeFi principles into FMI operations.
  • 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Coffee Break
  • 11:30 AM – 11:40 AM
Keynote Address
  • 11:40 AM – 12:10 PM
Keynote Address by AMEDA
  • 12:10 PM – 12:40 PM
Fireside Chat:
Driving Financial Inclusion through Digital Transformation

  • Leveraging mobile money platforms to increase market participation.
  • Tokenization as a tool to democratize investments.
  • Closing the digital divide to include underserved regions in Africa & Middle East financial markets
  • 12:40 PM – 1:10 PM
Keynote Address by AMEDA 
  • 1:10 PM – 2:30 PM
Buffet Lunch
  • 2:30 PM – 2:40 PM
Keynote Address
  • 2:40 PM – 3:10 PM
Fireside Chat:
The Future of Cross-Border Payments and Settlements

  • Digital currencies (CBDCs and stablecoins) and their impact on cross-border transactions.
  • Harmonizing global payment standards for faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions.
  • 3:10 PM – 3:30 PM

Conference Closing Remarks
  • 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

GALA DINNER

 
Download Agenda

Speakers

Sen. Kashim Shettima VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

H.S. Kashim Shettima

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Babajide Sanwo-Olu EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS
STATE

Dr. Emomotimi Agama DG, SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Dr. Emomotimi Agama

DG, SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Abdulla Abdin

Abdulla Jaffar Abdin

BAHRAIN CLEAR COO, AMEDA PRESIDENT
& WFC VICE-CHAIRMAN

Haruna Jalo-Waziri

MD/CEO, CSCS, AMEDA VICE PRESIDENT

Temi Popoola CHAIRMAN, CSCS, GCEO, NGX GROUP PLC

Temi Popoola

CHAIRMAN, CSCS, GCEO, NGX GROUP PLC

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede CHAIRMAN, CORONATION GROUP LIMITED

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede

CHAIRMAN, CORONATION GROUP LIMITED

Bola Ajomale EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER (OPERATIONS) SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Bola Ajomale

EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER (OPERATIONS)
SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Yanmo Omorogbe CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BAMBOO

Yanmo Omorogbe

CFA CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BAMBOO

Miguel Espinoza HEAD OF CAPITAL MARKETS, MONTRAN

Miguel Espinoza

HEAD OF CAPITAL MARKETS, MONTRAN

Nandini Sukumar

 CEO OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF EXCHANGES (WFE)

Premier Oiwoh MD/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NIGERIA INTER-BANK SETTLEMENT SYSTEM (NIBSS)

Premier Oiwoh

MD/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NIGERIA INTER-BANK
SETTLEMENT SYSTEM (NIBSS)

Karl Toriola CEO, MTN NIGERIA

Karl Toriola

CEO, MTN NIGERIA

Dr. Bala M. Bello

DEPUTY GOVERNOR, OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)

Abba Bukar Kyari CHAIRMAN, SUNU ASSURANCES NIGERIA PLC

Abba Bukar Kyari

CHAIRMAN, SUNU ASSURANCES NIGERIA PLC

Jim Micklethwaite

MD, FINANCIAL MARKETS, THOMAS MURRAY

Jesse-Kagoma

Jesse Kagoma

CEO, CDSC KENYA

Beverley Furman

HEAD OF OPERATIONS & CHANGE, STRATE SOUTH AFRICA

Barnaby Nelson CEO, THE VALUE EXCHANGE

Barnaby Nelson

CEO, THE VALUE EXCHANGE

Matthieu de HEERING

Matthieu de Heering

GLOBAL HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, CAPITAL MARKETS, MONTRAN

Bulat NİZAMOV - Istanbul Summit 2024

Bulat Nizamov

SOLUTION/PRODUCT EXPERT, CMA SMALL SYSTEMS AB

Damilola Aloba

PARTNER, TRANSACTION ADVISORY SERVICES, EY

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN MKK CEO and Board Member, AECSD Chairman, and The World Forum of Central Securities Depositories (WFC) Board Member

Dr. Ekrem Arikan

CEO & BOARD MEMBER OF MERKEZI KAYIT İSTANBUL (MKK)

Mr. Colin Parry

CEO, INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES SERVICES ASSOCIATION (ISSA)

Riham G. Khedr, Secretary General Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA)

Ms. Riham Gamal Khedr

AMEDA SECRETARY GENERAL

Mr. Samalia Zubairu PRESIDENT, AFRICAN FINANCE CORPORATION

Mr. Samalia Zubairu

PRESIDENT, AFRICAN FINANCE CORPORATION

Mr. Bolaji Balogun CEO, CHAPEL HILL DENHAM

Mr. Bolaji Balogun

CEO, CHAPEL HILL DENHAM

Dr. Folarin Alayande MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS GLEIF

Dr. Folarin Alayande

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS GLEIF

Prof. Olayinka David-West DEAN, LAGOS BUSINESS SCHOOL

Prof. Olayinka David-West

DEAN, LAGOS BUSINESS SCHOOL

Dr. Ajibola Asolo PARTNER, ALUKO OYEBODE & PARTNERS

Dr. Ajibola Asolo

 PARTNER, ALUKO OYEBODE & PARTNERS

Dr. Benson Uwheru FCIB GROUP EXECUTIVE & COO PARTHIAN PARTNERS

Dr. Benson Uwheru FCIB

GROUP EXECUTIVE & COO PARTHIAN PARTNERS

Stuart Turner FOUNDER/CHAIRMAN, AVENIR TECHNOLOGY

Stuart Turner

FOUNDER/CHAIRMAN, AVENIR TECHNOLOGY

Ayodele Onawunmi MANAGING DIRECTOR, FMDQ CLEAR LIMITED

Ayodele Onawunmi

MANAGING DIRECTOR, FMDQ CLEAR LIMITED

Andrew Uaboi VICE PRESIDENT & HEAD, WEST AFRICA CLUSTER AT VISA

Andrew Uaboi

VICE PRESIDENT & HEAD, WEST AFRICA CLUSTER AT VISA

Kari Tukur REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS MASTERCARD

Kari Tukur

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS MASTERCARD

Ladi Williams ANCHOR CHANNELS TV

Ayodele Onawunmi

MANAGING DIRECTOR, FMDQ CLEAR LIMITED

Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali HONOURABLE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION

Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali

HONOURABLE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION

Mr. John Uwajumogu SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON TRADE, INDUSTRY AND INVESTMENT

Mr. John Uwajumogu

SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON TRADE, INDUSTRY AND INVESTMENT

CEO, SECURITIES DEPOSITORY CENTER COMPANY (EDAA)

Hanan Alshehri

CEO, SECURITIES DEPOSITORY CENTER COMPANY (EDAA)

Joanna Mustapha SENIOR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT, NEWS CENTRAL TELEVISION

Joanna Mustapha

SENIOR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT, NEWS CENTRAL TELEVISION

Niyi Yusuf MANAGING PARTNER, VERRAKI

Niyi Yusuf

MANAGING PARTNER, VERRAKI

PRESENTER, ACCELERATE TV

Tolu Thompson

PRESENTER, ACCELERATE TV

Olayemi Cardoso GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

Olayemi Cardoso

GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

Richmond Bassey CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BAMBOO

Richmond Bassey

CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BAMBOO

Venue - Eko Hotel & Suites

Eko Hotel Suites, Lagos, Nigeria

Suggested Accommodation

Official Hotel

EKO Hotels & Suites
Eko Hotels & Suites is located in the heart of Victoria Island, offering a perfect blend of business & leisure amenities with dining and recreational options delicately infused in one amazing space.

Overlooking the new Eko Atlantic City and Atlantic Ocean, it is just a 10-minute drive to the City Centre and only 45minutes away from the Airport.

Download Reservation Form

Optional Hotel

Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel sits on the banks of the upscale Victoria Island in beautiful Lagos Lagoon. From here, guests enjoy scenic views of the up-and-coming city.

Amenities include free high-speed wireless Internet and air conditioning. The airport is located 28km from the hotel. The taxi ride takes about an hour, depending on traffic

Reservation Details

Optional Hotel

Maison Fahrenheit Hotel
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Victoria Island, Lagos, Maison Fahrenheit is a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel where contemporary design meets unrivalled hospitality. Located just steps away from Lagos’ business and entertainment districts, this stylish hotel offers guests a truly unique urban escape.

For reservations, please visit the website or chat via WhatsApp

Hotel Website
WhatsApp
Hotel Website
WhatsApp

The post AMEDA – Lagos Conference 2025 first appeared on AMEDA | Africa & Middle East Depositories Association.

]]> AECSD – AMEDA Istanbul Summit 2024 https://www.ameda.org.eg/aecsd-ameda-summit-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=aecsd-ameda-summit-2024 Mon, 22 Jul 2024 13:16:12 +0000 https://www.ameda.org.eg/?p=3884

AECSD-AMEDA Istanbul Summit 2024 - Broadcast (October 3-4, 2024)

DAY 1

DAY 2

About The Summit

AECSD – AMEDA İstanbul Summit 2024 is designed to explore emerging technologies and future opportunities in capital markets.

Collaboration between member institutions will be encouraged, best practices in the sector will be shared, and actionable outputs such as comprehensive reports and webinars will be produced.

The Summit will focus on critical areas such as capital market operations, financial technologies and business development, information security and risk management. AECSD İstanbul Summit 2024 aims to band together the participants of the leading capital markets financial institutions and financial technology organizations of the Eurasian region for further enhance the integration in the region.

Istanbul Summit 2024

AECSD Chairman's Message

Welcome to the AECSD & AMEDA İstanbul Summit 2024. This year marks a historic occasion as we bring together members of both the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD) and the Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) for the first time. Our theme, Building the Future of the Capital Markets in Eurasia, Africa and Middle East: The Role of CSDs – Bridging Markets, Bridging Continents,” captures the spirit of this significant event. Türkiye, with its unique position as a bridge between continents and capital markets, is the ideal host for this summit. We are honored to organize such a prestigious gathering that will undoubtedly enhance our international profile and reflect the distinction of our organizations.

The AECSD & AMEDA İstanbul Summit 2024 promises to be an unparalleled platform for collaboration and innovation. We have organized several panels and sessions designed to address the critical issues and opportunities facing our industry today. Participants from diverse backgrounds will have the opportunity to network, engage in one-to-one meetings, and initiate new collaborations. MKK is proud to host this unique event, and we are confident it will significantly contribute to the future of capital markets across Eurasia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Dr. Ekrem Arikan

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN MKK CEO and Board Member, AECSD Chairman, and The World Forum of Central Securities Depositories (WFC) Board Member

AMEDA President's Message

Abdulla Jaffar Abdin, Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear, AMEDA President, and WFC Vice-Chairman

On behalf of the Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA), I am delighted to express our sincere appreciation to our esteemed colleagues at Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) for inviting us to this esteemed conference.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Building the Future of Capital Markets in Eurasia, Africa, and the Middle East: The Role of Central Securities Depositories (CSDs),” aligns perfectly with our association’s mission and vision. As we come together to discuss and shape the future of our capital markets, the role of CSDs becomes increasingly vital in promoting stability, transparency, and growth across our regions.

Agenda

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024

  • 09:00 – 18:30
Registration
  • 10:00 – 13:00
The World Forum of Central Securities Depositories (WFC) Board Meeting
  • 10:00 – 18:00
Scheduled Bilateral Meetings (Borsa Istanbul, Takasbank, MKK)
  • 12:00 – 14:00
Lunch
  • 13:30 – 18:00
Borsa İstanbul Group Premises Tour
  • 13:30 – 15:30
AECSD Annual General Meeting
  • 16:00 – 18:00
AMEDA Annual General Meeting
  • 18:00 – 20:30
Welcome Reception
  • 18:00 – 18:30
Pre-dinner Reception
  • 18:30 – 19:00
İstanbul Summit Bell-Ringing Ceremony
  • 19:00 – 20:30
Welcome Dinner

Thursday, October 3rd, 2024

  • 08:30 – 09:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
  • 09:00 – 10:30
Opening Remarks

Mehmet ŞİMŞEK – Republic of Türkiye Minister of Treasury and Finance

İbrahim Ömer GÖNÜL – Chairman of the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN – MKK CEO and Board Member AECSD Chairman & WFC Board Member

Abdulla Abdin – Bahrain Clear Chief Operating Officer AMEDA President & WFC Vice-Chairman

Yedil MEDEU – Kazakhstan Central Securities Deposiory (KCSD) Board Member WFC Chairman
  • 10:30 – 11:00
Coffee Break
  • 11:00 – 11:30
Open Keynote Speech
  • 11:30 – 12:30
Executive Panel: Strengthening Capital Markets and Regional Collaborations
  • 12:30 – 14:00
Lunch
  • 14:00 – 14:30
Borsa İstanbul Group Presentation
  • 14:30 – 15:30
Executive Panel: Bridging Capital Markets and Re-designing the Role of CSDs in Digital Era
  • 15:30 – 15:45
Coffee Break
  • 15:45 – 16:45
Executive Talks: What is Next? New Instruments & New Services
  • 16:45 – 17:00
Closing Remarks AECSD and AMEDA Secretariat
  • 17:00 – 19:00
Free Time and Transfer to Gala Dinner
  • 19:00 – 22:00
Gala Dinner & AECSD 20th Year Award Ceremony

Friday, October 4th, 2024

 

  • 08:30 – 09:00
Welcome Coffee
  • 09:00 – 09:30
Keynote Speech
  • 09:30 – 10:30
Panel Discussion: Managing Multi-Dimensional Risks
  • 11:00 – 11:15
Coffee Break
  • 11:00 – 11:30
Keynote Speech
  • 11:30 – 12:30
Presentation Session: Sustainability, Corporate Governance and Investor Services
  • 12:30 – 14:00
Lunch 
  • 14:00 – 14:15
MoU Signing and Other Official Ceremonies
  • 14:15 – 15:15
Presentation Session: Sharing Experiences & Best Practices Exchange
  • 15:15 – 15:45
Fireside Chat, Closing Remarks & Conference Wrap Up 
  • 15:45 – 16:00
Group Photo
  • 16:00 – 17:30
Free Time (Transfer to Hotels and Bosphorus Tour)
  • 17:30 – 21:30
Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour & Dinner
Download Agenda

Speakers

Opening Remarks

Osman ÇELİK Istanbul Summit 2024

Osman ÇELİK

Deputy Minister Ministry of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye

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İbrahim Ömer GÖNÜL

Chairman of the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye
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İbrahim Ömer GÖNÜL - Chairman of the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye

Born in 1973 in Ankara, he graduated from Bilkent University, Department of Economics. He completed his master’s degree at Atılım University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Business Administration.
He worked at Şekerbank T.A.Ş. as a money markets assistant specialist and specialist in Fund Management. In 2004, he joined the Capital Markets Board and worked in the Department of Institutional Investors. After serving as Personnel Manager and Deputy Head of Department, he was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Board in 2014.
Gönül was appointed as the Chairman of the Capital Markets Board on 18 April 2022. Gönül speaks fluent English and intermediate German, he is married and has 2 children.

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN

MKK CEO and Board Member AECSD Chairman, WFC Board Member and AMEDA Board Member
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Dr. Ekrem Arikan

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN - MKK CEO and Board Member AECSD Chairman, WFC Board Member and AMEDA Board Member

Dr. Arıkan earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Boğaziçi University and his MBA at Yeditepe University. He received his PhD degree from Istanbul Ticaret University in Business Administration. He speaks advance level English and German, also beginner-level Arabic.
He began his career as a computer engineer at Microsoft as an International Program Manager, focusing on Windows operating system development for Turkish markets.
Dr. Arıkan held various managerial positions at Ziraat Teknoloji A.Ş. and Ziraat Insurance Company, providing IT services for Ziraat Finance Group, the largest governmental bank of Türkiye. His career path includes pivotal roles at the EPİAŞ (Energy Exchange – Enerji Piyasaları İşletme A.Ş.) , which was founded in year 2015 as the energy exchange company of Türkiye, where he contributed to the establishment of the Transparency Platform, strategic planning, and international collaborations.
In 2016, he joined Borsa Istanbul Group at Takasbank A.Ş. as the Executive Vice President for Information Technology.
Since April 2019, he has been working as General Manager and Board Member at MKK which is Central Securities Depository and Trade Repository of Türkiye. Here, he has been instrumental in launching numerous products and services, enhancing the organization’s capabilities and range of services.
Dr. ARIKAN, has assumed the Chairmanship of the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD) starting from September 2023. By virtue of this duty, he has become a Board Member of the World Forum of CSDs (WFC).

Abdulla Jaffar ABDIN

Abdulla Jaffar ABDIN

Bahrain Clear Chief Operating Officer AMEDA President & WFC Vice-Chairman
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Abdulla Jaffar ABDIN

Abdulla Jaffar ABDIN - Bahrain Clear Chief Operating Officer AMEDA President & WFC Vice-Chairman

Abdulla Abdin has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Glamorgan, UK, and currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer at Bahrain Clear. He is the Chairman of the Guarantee Fund Committee, the President of the African Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA), and the WFC vice chairman. Mr. Abdin has over 34 years of experience in banking and capital market structure, regulations, and operations.

Yedil MEDEU

Yedil MEDEU

Chairman of WFC, Deputy Chairman of KCSD
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Yedil MEDEU

Yedil MEDEU - Chairman of WFC, Deputy Chairman of KCSD

Yedil Medeu is a Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Central Securities Depository JSC (KCSD) since June 2021. He has over 15 years of experience in the securities market of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Prior to joining KCSD Mr. Medeu was a Director of Securities Market Department at the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of Financial Market. He was responsible for supervision of professional participants’ activities in the securities market and preparation of documents related to the securities market development taking into account priorities of the socio-economic development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, Yedil Medeu spent 8 years with the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan at Securities Market Department.
Mr. Medeu graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in 2007 majoring in Management. In 2009 and 2017 he graduated from Kazakh Economic University named after T. Ryskulov with Master of Business Administration degree and from National Graduate School of Policy Studies with Master of Public Economics degree in Tokyo.

Keynote Speakers

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Prof. Dr. Göksel AŞAN - Istanbul Summit 2024

Prof. Dr. Göksel AŞAN

President of Finance Office of Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye
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Prof. Dr. Göksel AŞAN

Prof. Dr. Göksel AŞAN - President of Finance Office of Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye

He was born on July 24, 1966, in İstanbul. He completed his undergraduate degree in Finance Department of İstanbul University in 1987. In 1991, he received his master’s degree from the Finance Department of İstanbul University. In 1998, he completed his Ph.D. in Public Finance at İstanbul University.

Göksel Aşan worked as a Research Assistant at İstanbul University between 1988 and 1998. After working as an Assistant Professor at Istanbul Bilgi University since 1998, he became Assoc. Prof. Dr. in 2008 and received his tenure in 2017.
After working many years at İstanbul Bilgi University in several different positions, Göksel Aşan served as a Vice-Rector at İstanbul Aydın University between July 2018 and October 2018.
On October 16, 2018, he was appointed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as President of Finance Office of Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye.

Serdar ÇELİK - Istanbul Summit 2024

Serdar ÇELİK

Head of the Capital Markets and Financial Institutions Division OECD / France
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Serdar ÇELİK

Serdar ÇELİK - Head of the Capital Markets and Financial Institutions Division OECD / France

Mr. Serdar Çelik is the Head of the Capital Markets and Financial Institutions Division at the OECD. His main responsibilities include capital markets, corporate governance, financial education, financial consumer protection, insurance, pensions, and state-owned enterprises. He leads the secretariats to the OECD’s Committee on Financial Markets, Corporate Governance Committee, and Insurance and Private Pensions Committee, which are the custodian of global standards in business and finance. These standards include the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance, G20/OECD High-Level Principles on Financial Consumer Protection, OECD Core Principles of Private Pension Regulation and OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises. The Committees also engage extensively with numerous non-OECD countries through regional programmes in Asia, Latin America and MENA, as well as country technical assistance projects. The Division produces the OECD’s Global Debt Report, Pensions Outlook, Consumer Finance Risk Monitor, Global Corporate Sustainability Report, PISA on Financial Literacy and Compendium on Ownership and Governance of State-Owned Enterprises. Mr. Çelik has authored numerous publications on corporate governance, institutional investors and capital markets.

Colin Parry - Istanbul Summit 2024

Colin PARRY

Chief Executive Officer International Securities Services Association (ISSA) / Switzerland
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Colin Parry

Colin Parry - Chief Executive Officer International Securities Services Association (ISSA) / Switzerland

Colin is the CEO of ISSA. He is responsible for creating & executing the ISSA strategy, growing the membership, and ensuring that ISSA continues to help the Securities Services industry develop solutions and reduce risk. He also runs his own consulting business.
Prior to joining ISSA in September 2019, Colin co-founded a fintech (Atomic Wire) and set -up his own consulting business after almost 25 years at UBS.
At UBS he held a number of senior roles in the US, UK and Switzerland in both Operations and Finance, including running the global investment banking Operations and creating Finance Shared Services.
Colin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Money, Banking and Finance from Birmingham University (UK) and graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

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Speakers

Marcus Van ABBÉ - Istanbul Summit 2024

Marcus Van ABBÉ

R3, Head of Digital Market Infrastructures / United Kingdom
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Marcus Van ABBÉ

Marcus Van ABBÉ - R3, Head of Digital Market Infrastructures / United Kingdom

Marcus van Abbe is a dedicated professional in the field of Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs), with over thirteen years of experience. His career has been marked by meaningful contributions to the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), where he helped transition the organisation into a global multi-asset class business. This transformation focused on enhancing the complete value chain of services within the securities ecosystem. At LSEG, Marcus initially concentrated on improving data and analytics capabilities, understanding the importance of data-driven insights for LSEG customers. His work helped diversify revenues from the core exchange business and grow the information services. Later, he shifted his focus to mergers and acquisitions (M&A), where he played a part in strategic inorganic growth. A significant milestone in his M&A efforts was his involvement in the acquisition and integration of Refinitiv. This acquisition was a major step for LSEG, expanding its global reach and multi-asset offerings. It enhanced LSEG’s capabilities in data management and provided tailored solutions to diverse customer segments. In the past four years, Marcus has turned his attention to Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) within FMIs. He is involved in developing strategies to leverage DLT for expanding digital security services, aiming to improve securities issuance, settlement processes, and data transparency. His work in this area focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and resilience in financial systems. Currently, Marcus is the Head of Digital Market Infrastructures at R3, where he continues to contribute to innovation and transformation in the financial sector, working towards the future of digital securities and the broader financial ecosystem.

Bandar ALKAHAİL - Istanbul Summit 2024

Bandar ALKAHAİL

Chief of Business Development (Acting CEO)
​Securities Depository Center Company (Edaa) / Saudi Arabia

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Dr. F. Ayzer BİLGİÇ - Istanbul Summit 2024

Dr. F. Ayzer BİLGİÇ

Public Disclosure Services Director, Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) / Türkiye
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Dr. F. Ayzer BİLGİÇ

Dr. F. Ayzer BİLGİÇ - Public Disclosure Services Director, Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) / Türkiye

Dr. F. Ayzer BİLGİÇ, is the graduate of Department of Business Administration, Middle East Technical University (1992) and of the Banking School of T.C. Ziraat Bankası A.Ş. (1993). Also, she holds a Master’s Degree on International Finance, Amsterdam University (2006), financed by Jean Monnet Scholarship Program and a PhD. Degree in Accounting and Finance, Marmara University (2013). She started her career as specialist at T.C. Ziraat Bankası A.Ş. (1992). Then, she worked as specialist (1996-2009) at Listing Department and as deputy manager (2009-2014) at Public Disclosure Platform Department of Borsa Istanbul A.Ş. At the same time, she lectured on “BIST Transactions” at Marmara University between 2013-2015. Currently, she is Public Disclosure Services Director of MKK, the CSD of Turkey. Her main areas of interest are public disclosure regulations and practices in capital markets, corporate governance, sustainability, XBRL taxonomy development and electronic disclosure systems.

Bruce BUTTERILL - Istanbul Summit 2024

Bruce BUTTERILL

Executive Director
America’s Central Securities Depositories Association (ACSDA) / Colombia

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Birahim DIOUF - Istanbul Summit 2024

Birahim DIOUF

Chief Executive Officer
Dépositaire Central/Banque de Règlement / Ivory Coast

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Miguel ESPINOZA - Istanbul Summit 2024

Miguel ESPINOZA

CSD Product Owner Montran Corporation / Romania
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Miguel ESPINOZA

Miguel ESPINOZA - CSD Product Owner Montran Corporation / Romania

Mr. Miguel Espinoza is the Head of Product for Montran’s CSD solution and the Solution Delivery Manager of the Securities and Trading division. He has been actively involved in the development and implementation of over 25 Central Securities Depositories around the world. Coming from an IT background, Miguel has been combining his technical and business knowledge to provide Montran
clients with the best possible CSD solution adopting best practices and focusing on settlement optimization and efficiency.

As head of product, Miguel is responsible for the general development and the definition of the product roadmap of the Montran CSD solution. With his team, he is constantly reviewing and researching the implemented processes, new initiatives, and emerging technologies to determine possible enhancements and the way forward for Montran’s CSD product.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güzhan GÜLAY - Istanbul Summit 2024

Dr. Güzhan GÜLAY

Executive Vice President Borsa İstanbul / Türkiye
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güzhan GÜLAY

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güzhan GÜLAY - Executive Vice President Borsa İstanbul / Türkiye

After graduating from the Faculty of Business Administration of Istanbul University in 1993, Güzhan Gülay completed Ziraat Bank Banking School and worked as a specialist in the Capital Markets Directorate of the same bank. He joined the Borsa İstanbul family as an assistant specialist in the Equity Markets Directorate in 1995, became a specialist in 1998, and a manager in 2014 in the same department. He was appointed the Business Development Director in 2018 and the Precious Metals and Precious Stones Director in 2019. He has acted in many projects by taking fundamental positions in designing, configuration, testing, legislation, and development for the improvement of the markets and infrastructure of Borsa Istanbul. After his master’s and doctorate education, he acted as a visiting lecturer for a year at the City University of London Cass Business School and taught part-time at various universities. He became an Associate Professor in 2023.

Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR - Istanbul Summit

Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR

Executive Vice Chairman, Capital Markets Board (CMB) of Türkiye Chairman of the Board of Directors, Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) / Türkiye
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Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR

Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR - Executive Vice Chairman, Capital Markets Board (CMB) of Türkiye Chairman of the Board of Directors, Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) / Türkiye

Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR started his career in 1998 as an internal auditor for a private bank in Turkey and joined the Capital Markets Board of Turkey (CMB) in 1999. During his charge as a senior, besides his other responsibilities he took part in the professional team organised the establishment of the Central Securities Depository of Turkey (MKK). Besides he led the team for the establishment of first Turkish Derivatives Exchange of Turkey (Turkdex). He was in charge as the Deputy Head of Market Surveillance and Regulation Department between 2006-2009. After completing his MSc degree in U.S. he joined the Investment Firms Department of CMB in 2011. He represented the CMB in IFIs and other international agencies and took part in assesments. He served as the Head of Investment Firms Department between 2014 and 2021. His areas of responsibilities covered the regulation and surveillance of the investment firms, the regulation of the secondary markets and the financial market institutions such as Borsa İstanbul, Takasbank and MKK. Since 2018 he is also leading the regulation of cyrpto assets in Turkey.
In April 2021 he promoted as the Executive Vice Chairman of the CMB and currently assuming the responsibilites of the Investment Fims Department and Institutional Investors Department.
Ali İhsan GÜNGÖR earned his BA degree in Economics from Hacettepe University. He holds a MSc in Econometrics from Gazi University and an MSc in Finance from George Washington University School of Business.

Dr. Önder HALİSDEMİR - Istanbul Summit 2024

Dr. Önder HALİSDEMİR

CEO & Board Member Misyon Bank / Türkiye
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Dr. Önder HALİSDEMİR

Dr. Önder HALİSDEMİR - CEO & Board Member Misyon Bank / Türkiye

Dr. Önder Halisdemir is the founder CEO of Misyon, the first neobank in Türkiye empowers region-wide financial ecosystem with innovative digital assets, custody and platform banking services. He is a visionary leader, technology enthusiast and a trusted advisor to business executives.
Halisdemir has more than 30 years of experience, working in finance industry at various leadership roles accross most prestigious banks. He first gained visibility on the international stage with his online credit approval project, which was the first in its field and recognized with global awards.
Halisdemir is passionate about improving financial wellbeing for all. He serves as Chairman of Finance Executives Foundation, a Turkish NGO with an extensive network of banks, financial institutions, universities, and finance professionals with representatives across three continents.

Haruna JALO-WAZIRI - Istanbul Summit 2024

Haruna JALO-WAZIRI

Managing Director & CEO Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS) / Nigeria
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Haruna JALO-WAZIRI

Haruna JALO-WAZIRI - Managing Director & CEO Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS) / Nigeria

Haruna Jalo-Waziri is the Managing Director and CEO of Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), Nigeria’s premier Financial Market Infrastructure, overseeing depository, clearing, and settlement of financial assets across the Nigerian Capital Market. Known as Jalo, he drives CSCS’s strategic initiatives towards sustainable growth.
With nearly 30 years in Investment Banking, Securities Trading, Pension Funds Administration, and Asset Management, Jalo has held executive roles at The Nigerian Stock Exchange (now Nigerian Exchange Group Plc), UBA Stockbrokers Limited, UBA Asset Management Limited (now United Capital Securities Limited and United Capital Asset Management Limited), Kakawa Discount House Limited (now part of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). His extensive board experience includes FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Nigeria-German Chemicals Plc, Protea Oakwood Hotel Limited, Coral Properties Limited, UBA Stockbrokers Limited, and UBA Asset Management Limited. He also chaired the Central Organizing Committee of the Nigeria Economic Summit #27, a key private-public sector dialogue in Nigeria.
Jalo also serves as the Vice President of the Africa and Middle East Depositories Association and represents the World Forum of Central Securities Depositories on the Board of the International Securities Services Association (ISSA), Geneva. He is active in various committees of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, and Nigerian Economic Summit Group. Additionally, he is a Non-Executive Director at the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE) and serves on the boards of several non-profits, including BusinessDay’s Advisory Board, Special Olympics Nigeria, and AIFA Reading Society, where he is Vice President.
An award-winning executive and alumnus of Lagos Business School, IESE Spain, and Venture Capital Institute of America, Jalo holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration. He is a Chartered Stockbroker, an Associate of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) UK, and a life member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria.

Ekaterina DEMUSHKINA - Istanbul Summit

Ekaterina DEMUSHKINA

Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board National Settlement Depository (NSD) / Russia
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Ekaterina DEMUSHKINA - Istanbul Summit

Ekaterina DEMUSHKINA - Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board National Settlement Depository (NSD) / Russia

Ekaterina Demushkina is the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of the National Settlement Depository (NSD) responsible for legal affairs and for risk management. Ekaterina has extensive 30-year experience in the financial industry, including 7-year tenure in the Central Bank of Russia and around 20 years in depository and clearing infrastructure. Among her professional accomplishments is the active participation in laying the foundation of the Russian securities market and drafting key pieces of legislation for post trading services including the laws on securities market, clearing, central counterpart and clearing activities.

Jesse Kagoma CEO, CDSC KENYA

Jesse KAGOMA

Chief Executive Officer CDSC Kenya
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Jesse KAGOMA

Jesse KAGOMA - Chief Executive Officer CDSC Kenya

Mr. Jesse Kagoma is the Chief Executive of the Central Depository and Settlement Corporation (CDSC) Kenya, effective September 1, 2023, to provide leadership and oversight of the Company.
Jesse was the General Manager, Business Support Services and CFO for the business until his appointment. He joined CDSC in May 2018 and is a seasoned and accomplished business manager with over 19 years of experience in financial reporting, business turnarounds, advising on business growth, strategy formulation and its execution, business valuations, balance sheet restructuring, merger and acquisitions processes, budgetary controls, financial planning, investment funds management, tax planning among others spanning different sectors of the East African Economies.
He holds a Master’s in Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Business Management (Finance & Banking) from Moi University. Jesse is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). He is currently pursuing his PhD in Business Administration (Finance) at the University of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Mustafa KESKİNTÜRK - Istanbul Summit 2024

Mustafa KESKİNTÜRK

Director of Portfolio Management A1 Capital - Pardus Portfolio Management Co. / Türkiye
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Mustafa KESKİNTÜRK - Istabul Summit

Mustafa KESKİNTÜRK - Director of Portfolio Management A1 Capital - Pardus Portfolio Management Co. / Türkiye

Has more than 25 years of sector experience in Financial Markets. He graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University from International Finance. He was a proffesional basketball player at the 1st division for 15 years. He is the founder and the captain of University basketball team , graduated with full sportsman scholarship. Previously he worked at Deniz Invest, full subsidiary of Denizbank, for 17 years. During this period he was at Foreign Instititutional Sales , Trade and Investment Strategies departments. He was also responsible for Electronic Trading activities. He started working at A1 Capital as Head of Investment strategies and Algorithmic Trading. Continued at A1 Capital – Pardus Portfolio Management as a Director of Fund Management. At his second job at his carreer, he is still with A1 Capital – Güler Holding family for 7 years. He is a TV commentator for several TV Channels and a Stock Exchange instructor for hundreds of students for many years. He is married and a father of his 9 year old son, living in Istanbul, Turkey.

Riham G. Khedr, Secretary General Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA)

Riham G. KHEDR

Secretary General Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA)
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Riham G. Khedr, Secretary General Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA)

Riham G. KHEDR - Secretary General Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA)

Riham G. KHEDR worked for MCDR for over 25 years in custody and foreign relations, plus working for AMEDA as secretary since 2005. In 2022, I left MCDR to work as AMEDA’s full- time secretary, assisting the board members of the WFC.
She succeeded in getting the Illinois Institute of Technology Diploma (IIT) in Financial Markets with a straight A. A graduate of the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, Foreign Trade major. Very well trained by elite trainers from the US Agency for International Development project (USAID) and US Treasury on Everyday Communication Techniques for the Workplace, Introduction to Financial Derivatives in Egypt, Primary Dealers in Government Securities, Electronic Trading, Economics of Financial Markets, Introduction to Financial Markets, Train the Trainer workshops 1 through 4 Securities Lending and Borrowing System: Overview and Functional and System Specifications, Basic Corporate Finance, Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF), Certified Securities Representative (CSR) provided by the USAID- Barents Group, LLC, Capital Markets, and Bankruptcy Issues By Marc E. Albert, Esq., and bankruptcy law practitioner, Marrison & Hecker, L.L.P. Washington, DC.

Ali KIRALİ - Istanbul Summit 2024

Ali KIRALİ

Chief Executive Officer Turkish Mercantile Exchange (TMEX) / Türkiye
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Ali KIRALİ - Istanbul Summit

Ali KIRALİ - Chief Executive Officer Turkish Mercantile Exchange (TMEX) / Türkiye

Ali KIRALİ was born in Ankara in 1976. After graduating from Department of Economics in Middle East Technical University in 1999, KIRALİ completed his post- graduate study in the European Studies from Middle East Technical University and holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. He started his professional career in Corporations Finance Department in Capital Markets Board in executing IPOs and M&A deals and supervised capital market publicly held companies. From 2009 to 2011, he worked for Citibank’s Export and Agency Finance team in Seoul, South Korea and in New York proving clients with structured financing arrangements, advisory services, and enhanced capital market solutions backed by export credit agency guarantees. He also worked for Citibank’s Investment Banking team in Istanbul providing advisory services to clients for M&A, Equity Capital Markets (ECM) and Debt Capital Markets (DCM) trades and executing deals. Thereafter, he joined Odeabank and served as Economic Researches and Strategic Planning Director, a member in Executive Committee and in Assets – Liabilities Committee. KIRALİ assumed the role of founding CEO at TMEX in February 2019.

Özkan İlkay KIZILTOPRAK Istanbul Summit 2024

Özkan İlkay KIZILTOPRAK

Executive Vice President, Market Operations Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) / Türkiye
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Özkan İlkay KIZILTOPRAK Istanbul Summit 2024

Özkan İlkay KIZILTOPRAK - Executive Vice President, Market Operations Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu (MKK) / Türkiye

Özkan İlkay KIZILTOPRAK received his bachelor’s degree from İstanbul University’s International Relations Department at the Faculty of Economics.
He started his carreer at Citibank in 1995 working in the treasury and securities operations then moved to AFinance Plc Dublin in Ireland as the country manager for three years. He re-joined Citibank in 2002 and managed securities services, treasury, cash services, import and export and brokerage operations as the group manager until 2018.
During his tenure at Citibank he successfully led many local and international projects and took active roles in the Banks Association, Takasbank and MKK working groups. The integration of SWIFT messaging between Takasbank, MKK and intermediary institution, establishing capital gain tax processes on securities transactions, implementation of securities dematerialization process, holding fixed income instruments at beneficial owner level at MKK and elimination of “three zeros” from securities nominals are some of the critical projects that he led.
Before joining MKK he worked at few of the major capital markets solution provider companies where he managed business and product development, operational excellence and project management units in addition to advisor and trainer roles.
He holds Capital Markets Level 3 and derivatives instruments licenses as well as business intelligence tools certificates.
Mr. KIZILTOPRAK assigned as the Executive Vice President responsible for Market Operations at Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu A.Ş. on 07.10.2020.

Arman MELKUMYAN Istanbul Summit 2024

Arman MELKUMYAN

Secretary General The Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD)
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Arman MELKUMYAN Istanbul Summit 2024

Mr. Arman MELKUMYAN - Secretary General The Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD)

Arman Melkumyan has more than 13 years of experience in the financial industry. Mr. Melkumyan is an expert in financial markets, cross-border cooperation and post-trading services; clients and international relations; new business processes development and implementation.
Mr. Melkumyan started his career at NSD in 2011 as account manager working with key professional participants of Russian financial market. After 3 years he changed his position to Relationship manager and after fruitful cooperation with key Russian and foreign financial institutions Mr. Melkumyan became a head of foreign client relations and took part in the series of successfully launched and implemented projects with key local and foreign clients. Starting February 2018 Mr. Melkumyan is in charge of international relations, management of cash and securities correspondent accounts and building cross-border links with Russian and foreign financial institutions.
Starting October 2018 Mr. Melkumyan assigned as the Secretary General of the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD). Being the Secretary General the main scope of work is

  • Planning and coordination of the activities of the Association
  • Organizing and holding the events (conferences, seminars, training webinars, working groups, committees)
  • Conducting research in various areas

Mr. Melkumyan is a member of different working groups of World Forum of CSDs (WFC) and leading the development of E-learning platform(https://aecsd.org/en/e-learning/) – one of the initiatives of WFC for CSDs’ knowledge exchange.

Jim Micklethwaite MD, FINANCIAL MARKETS, THOMAS MURRAY

Jim MICKLETHWAITE

Managing Director, Head of Financial Markets Thomas Murray / United Kingdom
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Jim MICKLETHWAITE Istanbul Summit 2024

Jim MICKLETHWAITE - Managing Director, Head of Financial Markets Thomas Murray / United Kingdom

Jim manages the Global Network Management (‘GNM’) division at TM and has over 26 years in the financial services industry. His responsibilities include running a team of 25 analysts and network managers who track custodian and market practice in 104 markets and assess risks in over 300 custodians, 145 CSDs and 27 CCPs worldwide. Jim is a subject matter expert on post-trade infrastructure and has led various strategic consulting projects on market infrastructure. Previously, Jim was a senior analyst within TM Network Management evaluating and selecting local and global custodians for clients as well as supporting a variety of consultancy engagements. Prior to joining TM in 1995, he was at Taylor Nelson Sofres as a Project Supervisor in their Financial division.

Elif GÖNENÇER AECSD - AMEDA Istanbul Summit 2024

Elif GÖNENÇER

Assistant Secretary General, Turkish Capital Markets Association / Türkiye
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Elif GÖNENÇER

Elif GÖNENÇER - Assistant Secretary General, Turkish Capital Markets Association / Türkiye

Elif Gönençer serves as the Deputy Secretary General responsible for the Research and Statistics, Financial Technologies and Digital Transformation, and Sustainable Finance and Capital Markets Units at the Turkish Capital Markets Association (TCMA).
Before her role at TCMA, Gönençer worked at the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye (CMB) in various capacities: in the Intermediary Activities Department from 1997 to 2005, in the Research Department from 2005 to 2006, and in the Audit Department from 2006 to 2009. From 2009 to 2021, she worked in the Accounting Standards Department. She also served as the Chairperson of the Examination Committee at the Capital Markets Licensing Registry and Training Agency Co. Inc. and was the Head of the Licensing and Registry Group at the CMB.
Gönençer graduated from the Faculty of Political Science at Ankara University, majoring in Business Administration. She completed her master’s degree in European Union and International Relations, obtaining a dual degree from Bahçeşehir University and the Centre International de Formation Européenne (CIFE) / Institut Européen des Hautes Etudes Internationales (IEHEI) in Istanbul, Nice, and Berlin. Additionally, she completed a second bachelor’s degree in International Relations in English from Anadolu University in 2021.

Zafer MUSTAFAOĞLU Istanbul Summit 2024

Zafer MUSTAFAOĞLU

Deputy General Manager Halk Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş. / Türkiye
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Zafer MUSTAFAOĞLU Istanbul Summit 2024

Zafer MUSTAFAOĞLU - Deputy General Manager Halk Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş. / Türkiye

Zafer Mustafaoğlu, Deputy General Manager: Zafer Mustafaoğlu was born in 1972. Completed his bachelor’s degree at Istanbul Technical University, Department of Management Engineering and his master’s degree at Istanbul Technical University, Department of Business Administration. After carrying out several duties in Corporate Finance and Financial Management (covering a wide array of sectors & industries) starting from 1995, he joined Halk Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş. as Corporate Finance Director in 2020. Zafer Mustafaoğlu is currently the Deputy General Manager in charge of Corporate Finance, Treasury & Portfolio Management, Venture Capital Advisory & Crowdfunding as well as Research. His specialties include PE &VC, capital market products and financial restructuring.

Bulat NİZAMOV - Istanbul Summit 2024

Bulat NİZAMOV

Product Expert CMA Small Systems AB, Solution / Sweden
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Bulat NİZAMOV Istanbul Summit 2024

Bulat NİZAMOV - Product Expert CMA Small Systems AB, Solution / Sweden

Bulat is a seasoned Solution and Product Expert with over 20 years of experience in financial systems integration, software development, and product management. He has led transformative projects for Central Banks and Exchanges/Central Securities Depositories (CSDs) worldwide. Bulat played a key role in developing and implementing trade and post-trade solutions, such as TRAD/X and DEPO/X v3, now used in over 15 countries. These solutions are specifically tailored for Central Banks and CSDs, outperforming those of industry giants. He has successfully implemented Auction, Trading, Collateral, and Depository systems in various countries, including Indonesia, Brunei, Chile, Jordan, Nigeria, Moldova, and Vietnam. His expertise includes comprehensive consultation, business analysis, and solution design, ensuring clients achieve their strategic goals. With a background in economics and mathematics/engineering, Bulat combines business insight with technical expertise to deliver precise and efficient solutions. Previously, he served as an Option Trader and Analyst at investment firms, including Renaissance Capital.

Taşkın ÖKER - Executive Vice President Takasbank / Türkiye

Taşkın ÖKER

Executive Vice President Takasbank / Türkiye
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Taşkın ÖKER - Executive Vice President Takasbank / Türkiye

Taşkın ÖKER - Executive Vice President Takasbank / Türkiye

Experienced IT executive with a demonstrated success in the history of banking, finance and stock market industry for +26 years. Skilled in IT service management, De-Centralized Systems Management (Blockchain Development), Network and Cyber Security, Database and Middle-Ware Architect, Centralized Systems Management, IT Strategy, Business Demand Management, IT Budgeting, Application Design and Development, Systems Integration, Vendor Management involving Enterprise Software, Business Intelligence, ITIL. strong operations professional graduated from Istanbul University. Skilled in IT Service Management,

Experience at a glance:
– Budgeting and Planning of IT Capacity, Expense and Resources,
– Designing of IT Infrastructure and Services,
– Purchasing and Contracting of IT Products and Services,
– IT Infrastructure and Security Operations,
– Technical Project Management,
– Managing Enterprise Software Projects,
– Customer-driven Service Management,
– Staffing, Well-supported, Motivated and Dedicated Teamwork.

Made IT strategy and setup organization aligned with business requirements, and built IT Services from end to end. Has proven added value, initiation, self-commitment and achievement in start-up, stabilize, transition and development of IT business.

Emir Münir SARPYENER - Istanbul Summit 2024

Emir Münir SARPYENER

Board Member & General Manager Tera Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş. / Türkiye
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Emir Münir SARPYENER Istanbul Summit 2024

Emir Münir SARPYENER - Board Member & General Manager Tera Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş. / Türkiye

Emir M. Sarpyener completed his undergraduate studies in the International Business/Marketing department at Marmara University and obtained his master’s degree in Business/International Finance from The American University, Washington D.C.
Embarking on a 30-year career in the finance sector, Sarpyener took his first step in banking. He later continued as a Research Analyst and held positions as Head of Research Department at various reputable institutions.
In 2004, Sarpyener was appointed as the CEO of Raymond James Turkey Inc., guiding the company to become one of the leading players in the Turkish Capital Markets. During this period, he was also appointed to the company’s Board of Directors.
From 2014 to 2021, Sarpyener continued his career in Portfolio Management. He was a Portfolio Manager and Business Development Director at Aura Portfolio Management Inc. He then joined Tera Yatırım Securities Inc., first as a consultant the to Board of Directors and subsequently, as of October 2021, as General Manager. As of April 2023, Sarpyener is also a Board Member of the company.
Throughout his career, the departments he has managed, including Research and Sales, have consistently ranked highly in international assessments. He has played an active role in numerous primary and secondary public offerings and block sales. With extensive experience and knowledge spanning 30 years in the Turkish Capital Markets, Research, Asset Management, and Mergers & Acquisitions, Sarpyener possesses significant expertise in introducing and marketing Turkish Capital Market instruments to institutional investors operating in various regions around the world.

Imelda SEBAYANG - Istanbul Summit 2024

Imelda SEBAYANG

Director of Finance and Administration Indonesia Central Securities Depository (KSEI)
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Imelda SEBAYANG - Istanbul Summit 2024

melda SEBAYANG - Director of Finance and Administration Indonesia Central Securities Depository (KSEI)

Appointed as a Member of the Board of Directors of KSEI during the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 25, 2023. She currently leads a directorate responsible for several key divisions, including International and Domestic Relations, Finance, Legal, and Human Resources & General Affairs (HR&GA).
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia. Prior to her current role, she served as Director and Country Head of Securities Services (Custodian Bank) at Citibank Indonesia from 2013, and as Director and Head of Investors & Intermediaries (Custodian Bank, Cash Management & Trade Finance) at Standard Chartered Bank from 2003 to 2013.
She has also been an active member of several KSEI committees, including the Business Committee (2016-2018), the Regulatory Committee (2018-2020, 2020-2023), and the Internal Control Committee (since 2022). Additionally, she has held strategic positions in professional organizations such as the Indonesian Mutual Fund Management Association (APRDI) where she serves as Presidium Council Member (2021-2023) and was a Management Member from 2018 to 2021. She is also the Chairman of the Indonesian Custodian Bank Association (ABKI) (2021-2023), having previously served as Deputy Chairman (2018-2021) and as a member of the Education & Social Committee (2016-2018).

Sarah TARAWNEH - Istanbul Summit 2024

Sarah TARAWNEH

Chief Executive Officer Securities Depository Center (SDC) / Jordan
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Sarah TARAWNEH - Istanbul Summit 2024

Sarah TARAWNEH - Chief Executive Officer Securities Depository Center (SDC) / Jordan

Sarah Tarawneh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities Depository Center of Jordan (SDC), she has been working with the SDC for over 17 years, during which she was responsible of multiple managerial tasks, including public relations, custody business, drafting rules and regulations, her previous role was director of the Legal Affairs, prior to being appointed the Chief Executive Officer early this year.
Sarah also served on the board of ANNA (Association of National Numbering Agencies) for the term of three years (2019-2021) dedicated to supporting the industry of standardization in capital markets in the region.
Sarah is specialized in Capital market legislation, Depository, Clearing and settlement, compliance with international standards and best practices.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Jordan, and a license of practice from the Jordanian Bar association; she also attained many professional training and certificates in financial services field.

Jalil TARIF - Istanbul Summit 2024

Jalil TARIF

Secretary General Union of Arab Securities Authorities (UASA) / The United Arab Emirates
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Jalil TARIF - Istanbul Summit 2024

Jalil TARIF Secretary General Union of Arab Securities Authorities (UASA) / The United Arab Emirates

Jalil Tarif currently serves as the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Securities Authorities (UASA). Tarif started his career in the Central Bank of Jordan and held the positions of Executive Director and Deputy Director General in Amman Financial Market between 1992 and 1999, where he oversaw Jordan’s entire capital market. Through his role as Deputy Director General, Tarif assisted in writing the new securities law that implemented the three separate entities that make up Jordan’s Capital Market today. In 1999, Jail Tarif was appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of Amman Stock Exchange. He left his position as CEO in December 2012 to become the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Securities Authorities located in Dubai. Some of the roles Tarif has held during his career include:
President, NSC-Unix user group, Atos-Euro Next Market Solutions; Chairman of IOSCO Self-Regulatory Organization Consultative Committee; Member, OECD Corporate Governance Working Group, MENA region; Chairman of FIAS.

Osman Günsel TOPBAŞ - Istanbul Summit 2024

Osman Günsel TOPBAŞ, PhD

Co-Founder & Managing Partner Manifest Executive Consultancy / The United Arab Emirates
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Osman Günsel TOPBAŞ - Istanbul Summit 2024

Osman Günsel TOPBAŞ, PhD - Co-Founder & Managing Partner Manifest Executive Consultancy / The United Arab Emirates

Gunsel Topbas is a seasoned financial industry professional with over two decades of executive experience in capital markets and securities services, particularly in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.
He is a recognized leader in digital transformation, focusing on fintech, blockchain, digital assets, and the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). Gunsel frequently speaks at major industry forums.
Gunsel is the co-founder of Manifest Executive Consultancy, a Dubai-based boutique firm specializing in fintech advisory and training, with a focus on the future of finance and post-trade services. The firm also advises on digital assets, tokenization, and AI implementation in financial institutions.
In his most recent role as Managing Director and Regional Head of Custody for MEA at Citibank DIFC, Gunsel led teams across 14 countries, launched a new custody branch in Saudi Arabia, and drove strategic expansions. He managed a substantial P&L, built strong relationships with global banks, broker-dealers, and investors, and collaborated with local regulators and regional CSD associations. Before Citibank, he headed the International Department at Takasbank, representing Turkey in international securities organizations.
Gunsel is also a co-founder of a stealth startup leveraging blockchain technology. As a member of the Digital Assets Working Group of the MENA Fintech Association and a mentor at DIFC Innovation Hub, he actively supports fintech startups and champions financial innovation.
He holds a PhD in Corporate Finance, two MSc degrees in International Banking & Finance and Money & Banking, and a BSc in Computer Engineering. Accredited as a ‘Distinguished Public Speaker’ by Toastmasters International, Gunsel is known for his engaging talks on the future of finance.

Stuart Turner FOUNDER/CHAIRMAN, AVENIR TECHNOLOGY

Stuart TURNER

Founder and Chairman Avenir Technology Limited / United Kingdom
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Stuart TURNER - Founder and Chairman Avenir Technology Limited / United Kingdom

Stuart TURNER is a Founder and Chairman of Avenir Technology Limited, a supplier of core systems to exchanges, clearing houses and CSDs. He is an expert in FMI technology, clearing and risk management.
Stuart’s 30 year career prior to founding Avenir focussed on exchanges, clearing houses and CSDs, initially in risk management and IT, but later specialising in founding new FMIs (in London and Dubai) or updating them for new products and new systems (in South Africa and New Zealand). This included innovations such developing the world’s first 24 hour CCP clearing house (for energy products) and one of the first carbon registries.
After many years of working for FMIs, Stuart became a capital markets consultant and advised on market development, systems procurement, products and risk management. Stuart has also advised governments on capital market development and the operations of emissions markets. He has also undertaken audits of several FMIs across the world.
He and his colleagues founded Avenir Technology in 2011 to create a simplified, cost-effective technology platform that was easier to use than those of existing suppliers. Avenir is implemented around the world from Argentina to Vietnam.
Stuart is also Chairman of Avenir Registrars Limited, a full-service CREST registrar in the UK, and Chairman of Avenir Registrars Ireland, a Euroclear-enabled registrar.

Setenay YAĞANOĞLU, PhD - Istanbul Summit 2024

Setenay YAĞANOĞLU, PhD

Director of Data Services Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu(MKK)
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Setenay YAĞANOĞLU, PhD - Istanbul Summit 2024

Setenay YAĞANOĞLU, PhD - Director of Data Services Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu(MKK)

Setenay YAĞANOĞLU, PhD, is the Director of Data Services at Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu(MKK) of Türkiye. Setenay has more than 15 years of experience in capital markets. She is responsible of Derivative Reporting, Fixed Income Reporting, Investor Risk Monitoring System, Data Analysis Platform, Real Estate Based and Developing Financial Instruments Information System. In her presence at MKK, she has participated in driving key initiatives, including data based strategic management and international affairs, interacting with all departments in the company. Throughout her career, she has contributed in fields such as financial reporting operations, data distribution services, indice calculation, international business councils and international relations.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Bilkent University. She was awarded the British Council scholarship for her MSc in Social Sciences studies at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. She went on to embark her professional experience with academic skill and received her PhD in Finance from Istanbul Ticaret University in 2020 with a thesis entitled “An Analysis of Investors in Turkey on Behavioural Biases of Distance Effect, Herd Behaviour and Over- Confidence”. Her field of interests are mainly Behavioural Finance, Risk Appetite Measurement, and Systemic Risk Indicators.
As the Director of Data and Trade Repository Services Department at MKK, she aims at expanding the data services at MKK through various projects and applications which will contribute to the analysis of systematic risk, creation of meaningful outputs of capital market data and increase in financial literacy.

Yasser ZAAZAA - Istanbul Summit 2024

Yasser ZAAZAA

Managing Director & CEO The Egyptian Central Securities Depository / Egypt
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Yasser ZAAZAA - Istanbul Summit 2024

Yasser ZAAZAA - Managing Director & CEO The Egyptian Central Securities Depository / Egypt

Mr. Yasser Zaazaa is the Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Egyptian Central Securities Depository (ECSD) with over thirty years of experience in the financial industry. Known for his goal-oriented approach, he has represented major institutions like Citibank and Société Générale in organizations such as AMEDA and Middle East Securities forums. Mr. Zaazaa advocates for collaboration, innovation, and ethical leadership in the financial sector. In his current role at ECSD, he provides strategic leadership, maintains relationships with stakeholders, ensures regulatory compliance, and contributes to the growth of Egypt’s capital market. His extensive experience includes serving as the Regional Director of Societe Generale Securities Services (SGSS), Regional Director of Securities Services at Citibank covering the North Africa Region & Pakistan, as well as being a board member at Misr for Central Clearing, Depository and Registry (MCDR) for nine years. Mr. Zaazaa’s dedication to transparency and ethical business practices has earned him recognition as a leader and influencer in the financial sector, recently highlighted by his appointment as a board member for the Egyptian Capital Markets Federation (ECMF) as well as his appointment as a board member in the FRA Unit for External Auditors’ Quality Assurance.

Ömer GAZİMİHAL AECSD - AMEDA Istanbul Summit 2024

Ömer GAZİMİHAL

Deputy General Manager, Enterprise Product Management Turkcell Digital Business Services / Türkiye
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Ömer GAZİMİHAL - Deputy General Manager, Enterprise Product Management Turkcell Digital Business Services / Türkiye

Ömer Gazimihal, graduated from Computer Engineering department of University of Miami in 1995. Then, he received his masters degree of Telecommunications from George Washington University in 1997. Ömer Gazimihal started his career in Alcatel Network Systems as field support engineer. Afterwords he started at Cisco Systems in 1999 working as a systems engineer. During his 9 years of tenure in Cisco, he worked in US, UK, and Turkey offices. In 2009, he joined Turkcell group as head of Presales division. Since 2018 he is working as Deputy General Manager of Product Management at Turkcell Digital Business Services.

Saner GENÇOĞLU Istanbul Summit 2024

Saner GENÇOĞLU

Senior Vice President, Risk Management, QNB Finansinvest, Türkiye
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Saner GENÇOĞLU Istanbul Summit 2024

Saner GENÇOĞLU - Senior Vice President, Risk Management, QNB Finansinvest, Türkiye

Saner Gençoğlu holds an MBA degree from the University of Rhode Island, College of Business, and a B.S. in Economics from Istanbul University. Accredited as an FRM since 2020, Gençoğlu currently serves as Senior Vice President of Risk Management at QNB Finansinvest. Having experience in market, credit, and operational risks for over a decade, he has been involved in both banking and brokerage risk management aspects throughout his career. In addition to driving ESG activities in his current position, he is also responsible for overseeing credit controls and performs full-fledged risk management activities across the company.

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Venue

İstanbul International Finance Center.

Suggested Accommodation

Sheraton Grand İstanbul Ataşehir
Sheraton Grand İstanbul Ataşehir
Marriott İstanbul Asia
Marriott İstanbul Asia
Hilton Kozyatağı Ataşehir
Hilton Kozyatağı Ataşehir
Radisson Blu Hotel İstanbul Asia
Radisson Blu Hotel İstanbul Asia

Visa Information

It is possible to obtain e-Visa 7/24 at everywhere with internet connection. The applicants can obtain their visa after they fill in the necessary information concerning their identity, passport and travel dates and pay visa fee online. The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye provides information about the procedure for entering and exiting the territory of the Republic of Türkiye.

MORE INFORMATION
Turkey visa information
Turkey visa information

It is possible to obtain e-Visa 7/24 at everywhere with internet connection. The applicants can obtain their visa after they fill in the necessary information concerning their identity, passport and travel dates and pay visa fee online. The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye provides information about the procedure for entering and exiting the territory of the Republic of Türkiye.

MORE INFORMATION

The post AECSD – AMEDA Istanbul Summit 2024 first appeared on AMEDA | Africa & Middle East Depositories Association.

]]> AMEDA 39th Meeting in Doha https://www.ameda.org.eg/ameda-africa-middle-east-depositories-association-39th-meeting/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ameda-africa-middle-east-depositories-association-39th-meeting Tue, 12 Mar 2024 09:51:00 +0000 https://www.ameda.org.eg/?p=3157
AMEDA - Edaa 39th Meeting - Qatar, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Doha

AMEDA 39th meeting streaming conference May 1, 2nd, 2024

DAY 1

DAY 2

About the Event

The theme of this year’s meeting focuses on the growing use of AI at CSDs as well as Sustainability through New Initiatives while Maintaining Data Security. We will delve into innovative approaches aimed at ensuring the sustainability of Central Securities Depositories (CSDs) while upholding the utmost standards of data security.

AMEDA’s 39th Meeting will provide a platform for industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and explore strategies to enhance the sustainability of CSDs in the ever-evolving financial landscape.

Date: May 1-2, 2024
Location: Ritz Carlton Hotel, Doha

Edaa Chief Executive Officer Message

“We are thrilled to host the African and Middle East Depositories Association’s (AMEDA) 39th Annual Forum here in Doha, an opportunity that underscores Edaa’s commitment to this esteemed organization and the pivotal themes of this year’s gathering. As we explore the burgeoning role of generative AI in Central Securities Depositories (CSDs), we remain equally dedicated to integrating sustainability measures into our financial operations. This forum is not just a meeting of minds but a pledge to ensure the highest standards of data security and innovation in our industry. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Qatar.”

Sheikh Saif Bin Abdulla Al-Thani, Edaa Chief Executive Officer

Sheikh Saif Bin Abdulla Al-Thani
Edaa Chief Executive Officer

AMEDA President Message

Abdulla Jaffar Abdin Chief Operating Officer Bahrain Clear, AMEDA President and WFC Vice-Chairman

“I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Edaa for their warm welcome and for providing an exceptional environment for our 39th meeting. Our partnership with Edaa showcases our mutual dedication to promoting innovation and excellence in the Central Securities Depositories (CSD) sector.

As the President of AMEDA, I am thrilled to welcome our esteemed guests to the 39th Meeting, an event that highlights our commitment to leading the way in pioneering and environmentally sustainable practices within the CSD industry. This year, our focus is on the integration of artificial intelligence and sustainable initiatives in CSDs, with a strong emphasis on ensuring data security. We are eager to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, a critical element of the CSD Framework. Our goal is to launch new initiatives that drive progress while safeguarding the security and integrity of data.”

Agenda

Pre-conference day: Tuesday, April 30th

Pre-conference day: Tuesday, April 30th, 2024

 

  • 19:30 – 21:30
Welcome reception – Ritz Carlton

Day 1 - Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

  • 09:00 – 09:30
Registration & Coffee
  • 09:30 – 09:50
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Khalid Al-Thani Assistant Governor, Qatar Central Bank Chairman of the Board, Edaa
  • 09:50 – 10:05
Welcome Address
Sheikh Saif Bin Abdulla Al-Thani, EDAA CEO
  • 10:05 – 10:15
Welcome Address
Mr. Abdulla Abdin, AMEDA President, WFC Vice-Chairman
  • 10:15 – 11:00
Qatar EDAA Presentation and latest Developments
BODIVA of Angola Presentation (Virtual)
Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Presentation (Virtual)
  • 11:00 – 11:30
Coffee Break
  • 11:30 – 12:30
TABADUL Digital Exchange Hub – (Panel)
Moderator: Mr. Saker Asllan – Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange
Mr. Abdulla Jaffar Abdin, Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Clear, Chairman, AMEDA, Vice-Chairman, WFC 
Edaa
  • 12:30 – 14:00
Buffet Lunch
  • 14:00 – 15:00
Providing benefits for enhanced sovereign commitments to sustainability
Mr. Mazen Wathaifi – Amman Stock Exchange CEO
  • 15:00 – 15:45
How to determine CSDs’ Fees (charged for trading, non-trading) – (Panel)
Moderator: Mr. Stuart Turner, Director, Avenir Technology Limited 
Mrs. Sarah Tarawneh, CEO, SDC, Jordan 
Mr. Salih Eroglu, Director of Project Management Office, CSD and TR of Türkiye 
Mr. Haruna Jalo Waziri, CEO, CSCS, Nigeria
  • 15:45 – 16:30
What is the likely impact of generative AI on CSDs? Artificial Intelligence and its Relevance to CSDs and Exchanges Mr. Gunsel Topbas – Citi Bank
  • 20:00 – 22:00
Gala Dinner/10th Anniversary/Awards Ceremony

Day 2 - Thursday, May 2nd, 2024

  • 09:00 – 09:45
Mobile and digital solutions: provide investors with easy access to CSDs services, and track transactions.
SDC e-Portfolio Service
Mrs. Sarah Tarawneh, CEO, Securities Depository Center of Jordan
  • 09:45 – 10:30
Common risks: CSDs need to address in their risk management framework, some examples of risk-based admission criteria that CSDs can establish for counterparties.
Mr. Jim Micklethwaite – Thomas Murray
  • 10:30 – 10:50
CSD Investor Services
Mr. Miguel Espinoza – Montran Corporation
  • 10:50 – 11:20
Coffee Break
  • 11:20 – 12:00
Technological Transformation in the Financial Sector.
To be confirmed
  • 12:00 – 12:30
Cyber Security
Mr. William Rimington – Thomas Murray
  • 12:30 – 14:00
Buffet Lunch
  • 14:00 – 14:45
Is it time for CSDs to switch to the Cloud? Cloud Technologies for Efficient
Operations
Mr. Stuart Turner, Avenir Technology Limited
  • 14:45 – 15:30
ESG, what role can CSDs play in ESG compliance?
Mr. Samy Saadallah, Head of ESG at Edaa, Qatar. 
  • 15:30 – 15:40
Turkish CSD and TR, MKK
AECSD Istanbul Summit 2024
Dr. Ekrem Arıkan, CEO and Board Member of MKK, AECSD Chairman
  • 15:40 – 16:55
Closing Session and Conference Wrap Up: Vision and the Way Forward
Sheikh Saif Al-Thani, EDAA CEO
  • 15:55 – 17:00
AMEDA Closed Session (members only) AMEDA Related Issues
1- New Application Form
2- AMEDA Financials
3- AMEDA Management Body
4- Legal Working Committee
5- AMEDA Next Venues (Nigeria October 2024, September 2025 Almaty)
6- Any Other Business

Day 3 - May 3rd, 2024

Saturday, May 3rd, 2024

 

  • 10:30 – 14:00
Sightseeing

Our Speakers

Mr. Abdulla Jaffar Abdin Chief Operating Officer Bahrain Clear; AMEDA President and WFC Vice-Chairman
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Abdulla Jaffar Abdin AMEDA President

Mr. Abdulla Jaffar Abdin Chief Operating Officer Bahrain Clear; AMEDA President and WFC Vice-Chairman

Abdulla Abdin has Masters in Business Administration from the University of Glamorgan UK, and currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer– Bahrain Clear. He is the Chairman of the Guarantee Fund Committee and Chairman of the African Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) and WFC vice-chairman. Mr. Abdin has over 34 years of experience in Banking and Capital Market structure, regulations and operations.
Mr. Miguel Espinoza, Head of Product, Securities and Trading, Montran
Mr. Miguel Espinoza, Head of Product, Securities and Trading, Montran
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Mr. Miguel Espinoza, Head of Product, Securities and Trading, Montran

Mr. Miguel Espinoza is the Head of Product for Montran’s CSD solution and the Solution Delivery Manager of the Securities and Trading division. He has been actively involved in the development and implementation of over 25 Central Securities Depositories around the world. Coming from an IT background, Miguel has been combining his technical and business knowledge to provide Montran
clients with the best possible CSD solution adopting best practices and focusing on settlement optimization and efficiency.

As head of product, Miguel is responsible for the general development and the definition of the product roadmap of the Montran CSD solution. With his team, he is constantly reviewing and researching the implemented processes, new initiatives, and emerging technologies to determine possible enhancements and the way forward for Montran’s CSD product.

Mr. Jim Micklethwaite, Managing Director, Financial Markets at Thomas Murray
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Mr. Jim Micklethwaite, Managing Director, Financial Markets at Thomas Murray

Jim manages the Global Network Management (‘GNM’) division at TM and has over 26 years in the financial services industry. His responsibilities include running a team of 25 analysts and network managers who track custodian and market practice in 104 markets and assess risks in over 300 custodians, 145 CSDs and 27 CCPs worldwide. Jim is a subject matter expert on post-trade infrastructure and has led various strategic consulting projects on market infrastructure. Previously, Jim was a senior analyst within TM Network Management evaluating and selecting local and global custodians for clients as well as supporting a variety of consultancy engagements. Prior to joining TM in 1995, he was at Taylor Nelson Sofres as a Project Supervisor in their Financial division.
Marwa Al-Maskati
Mrs. Marwa Al-Maskati Senior Director - Marketing and Communications Bahrain Bourse
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Marwa Al-Maskati

Mrs. Marwa Al-Maskati Senior Director - Marketing and Communications Bahrain Bourse

Marwa Al-Maskati leads the Marketing and Communication function of Bahrain Bourse where she is responsible for all market access, Investor Relations, and corporate access days. Since taking on this role in 2014, she has been instrumental in the implementation and establishment of new markets including the Real Estate Investment Trust Market (REIT) in 2016 and the Bahrain Investment Market (BIM) in 2017, played a crucial role in championing ESG within the capital markets, as well as the establishment and launch of the Middle East Investor Relations – Bahrain Chapter. Mrs. AlMaskati currently heads the Bahrain Chapter of MEIRA and sits on the Board of MEIRA as well, she is also an active member of the Arab Federation of Capital Markets – Sustainability Committee (2021-2022).
Mrs. Al-Maskati has over 20+ years of experience in the financial industry with a focus on areas including strategy development, venture capital, private equity, and business development, having previously worked for several prominent organizations. Prior to joining Bahrain Bourse, she held key roles with prominent organizations including the Central Bank of Bahrain, TAIB Bank, and Tamkeen. Mrs. Al-Maskati holds a First-Class Honors master’s in business administration from the University of Strathclyde (UK) in 2006 and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics from the University of Wales, Swansea (UK) in 2002.
Mrs. Al-Maskati has completed her professional certification as ‘Certified Investor Relations Officer’ awarded by the UK-IR Society and ‘Series 79’ awarded by the BIBF. Mrs. Al-Maskati has also completed the Regulators Securities Market Program conducted by Harvard Law School & IOSCO, ‘Diversity on Board’ program by HSBC, selected as part of 2nd cohort in ‘BBK Women on Boards’ program, and has recently completed the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme from SaÏd Business School – University of Oxford.
William Rimington Managing Director, Cyber Risk - Thomas Murray
Mr. William Rimington Managing Director Cyber Risk - Thomas Murray
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William Rimington Managing Director, Cyber Risk - Thomas Murray

Mr. William Rimington Managing Director Cyber Risk - Thomas Murray

William is the co-lead of the Thomas Murray Cyber Risk practice and is based in the London office. Over the course of a 25-year career in technology, risk and cyber security, William has worked tirelessly on the science and art of technical security testing. He helps organisations prepare for the reality of modern security incidents and the critical role that developing, implementing and validating security defences plays in standing up to the constantly evolving world of cyber-attacks.
Between 2018 and the end of 2022, William was instrumental in building and then co-leading the EMEA cyber security practice for Kroll, a global risk consultancy specialising in cyber, business intelligence and investigations.
He takes specific responsibility for technical testing and cyber security governance, risk and control services as well as driving strategic solutions for his clients. This included cyber due diligence in the deal space and on-going monitoring of cyber risk across investment portfolios both in large corporates and private equity.
Prior to Kroll, he led the Global Centre of Excellence for Ethical Hacking at PwC and led cyber security assurance reviews in their UK practice. William drove the development the data assurance practice in the PwC London office supporting assurance work and advised on technology risk more broadly.
William’s work has spanned industries, sectors, geography and organisational maturity, from the smallest start-ups to some of the largest multinational companies in the world.
He is adept at communicating current cyber security issues and themes with client executive boards, audit committees, and at external speaking events. With a background in software development and data analytics, his achievements and experiences are valued by his clients and his innovation has, for example, taken manual assurance playbooks into highly efficient digital solutions to test security operation centres.
Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri AMEDA Vice President
Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Chief Executive Officer, Central Securities Clearing System Plc and AMEDA Vice-President
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Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri AMEDA Vice President

Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Chief Executive Officer, Central Securities Clearing System Plc and AMEDA Vice-President

Haruna Jalo-Waziri is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CSCS Plc, Nigeria’s capital market infrastructure. Since his appointment in 2017, he takes full responsibility for the leadership of the institution towards diversifying the earnings and repositioning the core operations for growth and efficiency gains. Growing profit by 18% CAGR in his four years of stewardship and consistently delivering >20% return on average equity, including the pandemic year, Jalo continues to position CSCS as a leading financial market infrastructure in Africa, with focus on deepening the Nigerian market. Jalo, a member of the Advisory Board of BusinessDay Media, is a Non-Executive Director on the Boards of NG Clearing Limited and Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange Limited. Jalo, who is a Non-Executive Director of the International Securities Services Association (ISSA), Switzerland, also represents the World Forum of Central Securities Depositories on the Operating Committee of ISSA. He is the Vice President of the Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) and an active member of Nigeria’s SEC-led Nigerian Capital Market Committee. Jalo, serves on the Institute’s Annual Workshop Organising Committee and plays active roles in different engagements and initiatives of the Institute. He chaired the Organising Committee of Nigeria’s Economic Summit in 2021 and continues to provide support to the Nigeria Economic Summit Group.
He was previously Executive Director, Capital Markets at The Nigerian Stock Exchange (now Nigerian Exchange Group Plc), where he led cross-functional teams responsible for the recovery of primary and secondary markets between 2012 and 2017. He co-managed a number of initiatives at the Exchange, including the launch of the Premium Board, strategic partnership of the London Stock Exchange with the Nigerian Stock Exchange and development of the Nigerian Savings Bond, FGN Sukuk Bond and Green Bond amongst several other market-wide initiatives. He was at different times Chief Executive Officer of UBA Stockbrokers Limited and UBA Asset Management Limited, both subsidiaries of United Bank for Africa Plc. He led the transformation of both businesses from being loss-making entities into sustainably profitable businesses, ranking top-5 in their respective segments. In the course of his career, he led the Corporate Finance practice of Afrinvest West Africa (formerly Sectrust) and was the Chief Investment Officer of First Alliance Pensions (now part of ARM Pensions). Haruna’s career traversed the Securities and Exchange Commission and Kakawa Asset Management Limited.
An award-winning Executive and alumnus of the Lagos Business School, IESE Spain, and Venture Capital Institute of America, Jalo is a graduate of Economics and has a post-graduate degree in Business Administration. He is a Chartered Stockbroker, Associate of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) United Kingdom, and a member of the Institute of Capital Market Registrars. Mr. Waziri provides thought leadership perspectives on topical issues, particularly on the economy and financial markets on various global platforms
Dr. Osman Gunsel Topbas the Regional Head of Custody for Middle East and Africa at Citi Bank
Dr. Osman Gunsel Topbas the Regional Head of Custody for Middle East and Africa at Citi Bank
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Dr. Osman Gunsel Topbas the Regional Head of Custody for Middle East and Africa at Citi Bank

Dr. Osman Gunsel Topbas currently serves as the Regional Head of Custody for Middle East and Africa at Citi, serving to global banks, international broker dealers, and institutional investors across 13 markets.
Dr.Topbas, holds a BSc in Computer Engineering, MSc degrees in International Banking, and a PhD in Corporate Finance. His analytical prowess, business management acumen, and new business development capabilities have enabled him to deliver value to clients, regulators, and market infrastructure institutions. He possesses a deep understanding of local market mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and global industry best practices.
Dr. Topbas is an active member of the Digital Assets Working Group of the MENA Fintech Association, focusing on blockchain-driven opportunities for the issuance and custody of tokenized and digital assets in the region. He is also a certified Distinguished Public Speaker by Toastmasters International, speaking frequently on topics like digital assets, blockchain, leadership, motivation, and success.
A passionate advocate for the interplay between motivation, influence, success, and personal well-being, Dr. Topbas employs his multidisciplinary interests in business and personal development to set effective strategies for transformation. His leadership style emphasizes proactivity, ensuring sound business execution and sustainable growth.“

Mr. Saker Asllan Chief Operations Officer Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
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Mr. Saker Asllan Chief Operations Officer Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

Saker Asllan brings over 18 years of expertise in financial markets and banking to his role as the Chief Exchange Operations Officer at the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). At ADX, he leads the Operations Team, ensuring effective trading control and the preservation of fair market practices through surveillance. His responsibilities also extend to fostering efficient engagement with all financial market members. In addition to his primary role, Saker leads the continuous development of the Tabadul Hub Program, aimed at connecting exchanges and promoting cross-border trading. Before joining ADX, Saker was the Executive Director of Surveillance Optimisation at Morgan Stanley. In this role, he led the bank’s global surveillance program optimisation and spearheaded several key strategic trade monitoring initiatives. Prior to this, he worked for Nasdaq for 9 years, as Associate Vice President in Product Management, leading key product initiatives in Trade Surveillance, use of analytics and data visualizations to drive efficiency in trading risk management.

In 2008, Saker led the establishment of the Damascus Securities Exchange. As the Acting Deputy CEO, he was responsible for developing core business rules, procedures, and systems for trading, clearing, and settlement. Earlier, in 2006, he played a foundational role in the establishment of the Syrian Commission on Financial Markets as the IT Director, managing IT infrastructure and systems development. Saker holds an MSc (Hons) in International Financial Markets from the University of Southampton, an MBA (Hons) from the international program of Paris-Dauphine University, and a BS in Software Engineering from the University of Damascus.

Nivaldo Renato de Almeida Matias
Mr. Nivaldo Renato de Almeida Matias, Head of Business Development, BODIVA, Angola
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Nivaldo Renato de Almeida Matias

Mr. Nivaldo Renato de Almeida Matias, Head of Business Development, BODIVA, Angola

Nivaldo Matias, graduated in Economics from Universidade Lusíada de Angola in 2008. He completed his postgraduate degree in Economics from the University of Manchester in 2010 and completed his master’s degree in finance and business, from Manchester Metropolitan University Business School in 2012. He began his professional career in 2008, at ValleySoft – Luanda, Angola, where he worked as Coordination Assistant. In January 2013, he joined the staff of the National Bank of Angola, in the Financial Institutions Supervision Department, with the role of Banking Supervisor. Still in 2013, he joined the technical staff of the company General Electrics, where he worked as a financial analyst and participated in the Financial Management program. In 2015 he joined the banking sector, more specifically at Banco Económico, with the role of senior technician in the Investment Banking Department, where later in 2019 he reached the role of Financial Coordinator. He currently holds the position of head of the Market Development Department at BODIVA, being responsible for monitoring and promoting initiatives that aim to promote the national capital market.
Mr. Stuart Turner,Chairman of Avenir Technology Limited
Mr. Stuart Turner,Chairman of Avenir Technology Limited
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Mr. Stuart Turner,Chairman of Avenir Technology Limited

Mr. Stuart Turner,Chairman of Avenir Technology Limited

Stuart has spent 35 years in the capital markets, mostly working for or consulting to FMIs or for suppliers of systems to FMIs. His main speciality and interest are in risk management.
Ten years ago, he founded Avenir Technology, with like-minded colleagues, to provide efficient and cost-effective trading, clearing and settlement solutions to FMIs. He is currently Chairman of the company. He is also founder and Chairman of Avenir Registrars, a CREST registrar in London.
Sarah Tarawneh
Mrs. Sarah Tarawneh, Chief Executive Officer, Securities Depository Center of Jordan
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Mrs. Sarah Tarawneh, Chief Executive Officer, Securities Depository Center of Jordan

Sarah Tarawneh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities Depository Center of Jordan (SDC), she has been working with the SDC for over 17 years, during which she was responsible of multiple managerial tasks, including public relations, custody business, drafting rules and regulations, her previous role was director of the Legal Affairs, prior to being appointed the Chief Executive Officer early this year.

Sarah also served on the board of ANNA (Association of National Numbering Agencies) for the term of three years (2019-2021) dedicated to supporting the industry of standardization in capital markets in the region.

Sarah is specialized in Capital market legislation, Depository, Clearing and settlement, compliance with international standards and best practices.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Jordan, and a license of practice from the Jordanian Bar association; she also attained many professional training and certificates in financial services field.

Hillarious Karani, Head of Depository Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
Mr. Hillarious Karani, Head of Depository Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
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Hillarious Karani, Head of Depository Zimbabwe Stock Exchange

Mr. Hillarious Karani, Head of Depository Zimbabwe Stock Exchange

Hillarious is the Head of Depository Services at the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and has over fourteen (14)  years of experience in investor transaction processing, administration, accounting, portfolio reporting, client servicing, relationship management, business development and strategy, market information and intelligence, internal and external stakeholder management as well as management of related projects. Hillarious has been involved in several capital market projects in Zimbabwe which include the introduction of the first Central Securities Depository, the Chengetedzai Depository Company Limited.
Hillarious was part of a Team of subject matter experts who reviewed and contributed to the refinement of the CSD rules. He then spearheaded the implementation of the depository system at CABS Custodial Services where he was the Team leader responsible for systems and projects. Hillarious has participated in the Association of Global Custodians (AGC) meetings and coordinated the annual depository questionnaire through Standard Chartered.
Hillarious is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investments and also a registered public accountant in Zimbabwe.

Mazen Wathaifi Chief Executive Officer Amman Stock Exchange
Mr. Mazen Wathaifi Chief Executive Officer Amman Stock Exchange
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Mazen Wathaifi Chief Executive Officer Amman Stock Exchange

Mr. Mazen Wathaifi Chief Executive Officer Amman Stock Exchange

Mr. Wathaifi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) since September 2019. He joined the Amman Financial Market (AFM) in1984 and became the Director of the Research and Studies Department at the AFM in 1997. He was appointed as the Director of the Research and International Affairs Department at the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) in 1999.

Among his main responsibilities were conducting researches on matters related to capital market regulation and activities and following up the JSC’s relations with related international organizations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), Union of Arab of Securities Authorities (UASA), and International securities regulators. He took part in internal committees that drafted the Securities Law and legislations governing various activities in the national capital market. He headed the committee that drafted the Corporate Governance Code for Shareholding Companies Listed on Amman Stock Exchange. He is a member in several local, Arab, and international working groups and task forces. Mr. Wathaifi was appointed as the Executive Director of the JSC in July 2013.

In July 2014 he was appointed by the Jordanian Council of Ministers as a commissioner on the JSC’s Board of Commissioners in addition to the responsibilities of the Secretary General of the JSC. He holds the BA in Business and Economics in addition to a High Diploma in banking studies and the master’s degree in finance/ financial markets. He received training in several international institutions and institutes including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the British Financial Services Authority (FSA), the American University, and the Capital Market Research Center at the George Town University in Washington.  He participated and represented the JSC and ASE in several conferences and seminars on Arab and international levels.

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN CEO and Board Member at MKK (CSD & TR of Türkiye) AECSD Chairman & WFC Board Member
Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN CEO, Board Member, MKK (CSD & TR of Türkiye) AECSD Chairman & WFC Board Member
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Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, MKK (CSD & TR of Türkiye) AECSD Chairman & WFC Board Member

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN CEO, Board Member, MKK (CSD & TR of Türkiye) AECSD Chairman & WFC Board Member

Mr. ARIKAN earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Boğaziçi University and his MBA at Yeditepe University. He received his PhD degree from Istanbul Ticaret University in Business Administration with his thesis “Factors Affecting Corporate Governance Maturity Level and Analysis of Digital Maturity Level: A Research on Companies Traded in Borsa Istanbul”. He speaks advance level English and German, also beginner-level Arabic.
He started his career at Microsoft as a Support Engineer in 1998, and then he worked as a Program Specialist in 1999, and as a Program Manager in Windows International Product Development Group in 2000. Until 2006, he was responsible for the development of Windows operating systems in Turkey and for the “Turkish markets”.
Mr. ARIKAN worked at Ziraat Teknoloji A.Ş. which provides IT services for Ziraat Finance Group as IT Architecture Manager in 2007. He worked as a Project Management Office Manager in 2009, IT Security Manager in 2011, and was then appointed as Corporate Development Director in 2013. In 2014, he worked at “Ziraat Hayat ve Emeklilik A.Ş” as IT and Corporate Development Group Manager responsible for Information Technologies, Customer Services and Call Center, HR and Support Services.
In 2015, he started to work at the EPİAŞ (Energy Exchange- Enerji Piyasaları İşletme A.Ş.) as a Consultant to Chairman and then he was appointed to the Strategy Development Director role. He led establishment of the Transparency Platform, preparation of the first 5-year strategic plan and memberships and relations with the international associations such as EUROPEX.
In 2016, he started to work in Borsa Istanbul Group at Takasbank as the Executive Vice President for Information Technology. He led and actively took part in projects such as the BISTECH transition, the blockchain technology based digital assets project BiGA, establishment and structuring of the Takasbank R&D center, takeover of check clearing system from the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, establishment of the EPİAŞ Natural Gas Market Clearing and Collateral Management services, opening of the SWAP market, and development of the TEFAS and BES mobile applications. He played a significant role in the implementation and management of various business development and infrastructure transformation projects.
Since April 2019, he has been working as the General Manager and Board Member at Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu, the Central Securities Depository of Türkiye. He pioneered the development of numerous new products and services such as; custody services provided to the Turkish Mercantile Exchange, establishment of the Omnibus Account structure and membership of Euroclear Bank and the Azerbaijan CSD (Milli Deposit Merkezi), founding of the Crowdfunding Platform, development of the Electronic Trade Repository, implementation of the Electronic General Meeting system in the Indonesian capital market and acquisition of the MKK GABİM company from the Turkish Association of Appraisers. Moreover, he led development and establishment of the Data Analysis Platform, Investor Information Center (e-YATIRIMCI) application, Bearer Shares Registry System, Investor Risk Monitoring System, Pusula and the GEFAS platform.
Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN, as the CEO and Board Member of MKK, has assumed the Chairmanship of the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD) starting from September 2023. By virtue of this duty, Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN has become a Board Member of the World Forum of CSDs (WFC).
Mr. Abdulla Jaffar Abdin Chief Operating Officer Bahrain Clear; AMEDA President and WFC Vice-Chairman
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Abdulla Jaffar Abdin AMEDA President

Mr. Abdulla Jaffar Abdin Chief Operating Officer Bahrain Clear; AMEDA President and WFC Vice-Chairman

Abdulla Abdin has Masters in Business Administration from the University of Glamorgan UK, and currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer– Bahrain Clear. He is the Chairman of the Guarantee Fund Committee and Chairman of the African Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) and WFC vice-chairman. Mr. Abdin has over 34 years of experience in Banking and Capital Market structure, regulations and operations.
Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri AMEDA Vice President
Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Chief Executive Officer, Central Securities Clearing System Plc
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Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri AMEDA Vice President

Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Chief Executive Officer, Central Securities Clearing System Plc

Haruna Jalo-Waziri is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CSCS Plc, Nigeria’s capital market infrastructure. Since his appointment in 2017, he takes full responsibility for the leadership of the institution towards diversifying the earnings and repositioning the core operations for growth and efficiency gains. Growing profit by 18% CAGR in his four years of stewardship and consistently delivering >20% return on average equity, including the pandemic year, Jalo continues to position CSCS as a leading financial market infrastructure in Africa, with focus on deepening the Nigerian market. Jalo, a member of the Advisory Board of BusinessDay Media, is a Non-Executive Director on the Boards of NG Clearing Limited and Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange Limited. Jalo, who is a Non-Executive Director of the International Securities Services Association (ISSA), Switzerland, also represents the World Forum of Central Securities Depositories on the Operating Committee of ISSA. He is the Vice President of the Africa and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) and an active member of Nigeria’s SEC-led Nigerian Capital Market Committee. Jalo, serves on the Institute’s Annual Workshop Organising Committee and plays active roles in different engagements and initiatives of the Institute. He chaired the Organising Committee of Nigeria’s Economic Summit in 2021 and continues to provide support to the Nigeria Economic Summit Group.
He was previously Executive Director, Capital Markets at The Nigerian Stock Exchange (now Nigerian Exchange Group Plc), where he led cross-functional teams responsible for the recovery of primary and secondary markets between 2012 and 2017. He co-managed a number of initiatives at the Exchange, including the launch of the Premium Board, strategic partnership of the London Stock Exchange with the Nigerian Stock Exchange and development of the Nigerian Savings Bond, FGN Sukuk Bond and Green Bond amongst several other market-wide initiatives. He was at different times Chief Executive Officer of UBA Stockbrokers Limited and UBA Asset Management Limited, both subsidiaries of United Bank for Africa Plc. He led the transformation of both businesses from being loss-making entities into sustainably profitable businesses, ranking top-5 in their respective segments. In the course of his career, he led the Corporate Finance practice of Afrinvest West Africa (formerly Sectrust) and was the Chief Investment Officer of First Alliance Pensions (now part of ARM Pensions). Haruna’s career traversed the Securities and Exchange Commission and Kakawa Asset Management Limited.
An award-winning Executive and alumnus of the Lagos Business School, IESE Spain, and Venture Capital Institute of America, Jalo is a graduate of Economics and has a post-graduate degree in Business Administration. He is a Chartered Stockbroker, Associate of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) United Kingdom, and a member of the Institute of Capital Market Registrars. Mr. Waziri provides thought leadership perspectives on topical issues, particularly on the economy and financial markets on various global platforms

Sarah Tarawneh
Mrs. Sarah Tarawneh, Chief Executive Officer, Securities Depository Center of Jordan
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Mrs. Sarah Tarawneh, Chief Executive Officer, Securities Depository Center of Jordan

Sarah Tarawneh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities Depository Center of Jordan (SDC), she has been working with the SDC for over 17 years, during which she was responsible of multiple managerial tasks, including public relations, custody business, drafting rules and regulations, her previous role was director of the Legal Affairs, prior to being appointed the Chief Executive Officer early this year.

Sarah also served on the board of ANNA (Association of National Numbering Agencies) for the term of three years (2019-2021) dedicated to supporting the industry of standardization in capital markets in the region.

Sarah is specialized in Capital market legislation, Depository, Clearing and settlement, compliance with international standards and best practices.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Jordan, and a license of practice from the Jordanian Bar association; she also attained many professional training and certificates in financial services field.

Mr. Miguel Espinoza, Head of Product, Securities and Trading, Montran
Mr. Miguel Espinoza, Head of Product, Securities and Trading, Montran
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Mr. Miguel Espinoza, Head of Product, Securities and Trading, Montran

Mr. Miguel Espinoza is the Head of Product for Montran’s CSD solution and the Solution Delivery Manager of the Securities and Trading division. He has been actively involved in the development and implementation of over 25 Central Securities Depositories around the world. Coming from an IT background, Miguel has been combining his technical and business knowledge to provide Montran
clients with the best possible CSD solution adopting best practices and focusing on settlement optimization and efficiency.

As head of product, Miguel is responsible for the general development and the definition of the product roadmap of the Montran CSD solution. With his team, he is constantly reviewing and researching the implemented processes, new initiatives, and emerging technologies to determine possible enhancements and the way forward for Montran’s CSD product.

Dr. Osman Gunsel Topbas the Regional Head of Custody for Middle East and Africa at Citi Bank
Dr. Osman Gunsel Topbas the Regional Head of Custody for Middle East and Africa at Citi Bank
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Dr. Osman Gunsel Topbas the Regional Head of Custody for Middle East and Africa at Citi Bank

Dr. Osman Gunsel Topbas currently serves as the Regional Head of Custody for Middle East and Africa at Citi, serving to global banks, international broker dealers, and institutional investors across 13 markets.
Dr.Topbas, holds a BSc in Computer Engineering, MSc degrees in International Banking, and a PhD in Corporate Finance. His analytical prowess, business management acumen, and new business development capabilities have enabled him to deliver value to clients, regulators, and market infrastructure institutions. He possesses a deep understanding of local market mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and global industry best practices.
Dr. Topbas is an active member of the Digital Assets Working Group of the MENA Fintech Association, focusing on blockchain-driven opportunities for the issuance and custody of tokenized and digital assets in the region. He is also a certified Distinguished Public Speaker by Toastmasters International, speaking frequently on topics like digital assets, blockchain, leadership, motivation, and success.
A passionate advocate for the interplay between motivation, influence, success, and personal well-being, Dr. Topbas employs his multidisciplinary interests in business and personal development to set effective strategies for transformation. His leadership style emphasizes proactivity, ensuring sound business execution and sustainable growth.“

Hillarious Karani, Head of Depository Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
Mr. Hillarious Karani, Head of Depository Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
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Hillarious Karani, Head of Depository Zimbabwe Stock Exchange

Mr. Hillarious Karani, Head of Depository Zimbabwe Stock Exchange

Hillarious is the Head of Depository Services at the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and has over fourteen (14)  years of experience in investor transaction processing, administration, accounting, portfolio reporting, client servicing, relationship management, business development and strategy, market information and intelligence, internal and external stakeholder management as well as management of related projects. Hillarious has been involved in several capital market projects in Zimbabwe which include the introduction of the first Central Securities Depository, the Chengetedzai Depository Company Limited.
Hillarious was part of a Team of subject matter experts who reviewed and contributed to the refinement of the CSD rules. He then spearheaded the implementation of the depository system at CABS Custodial Services where he was the Team leader responsible for systems and projects. Hillarious has participated in the Association of Global Custodians (AGC) meetings and coordinated the annual depository questionnaire through Standard Chartered.
Hillarious is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investments and also a registered public accountant in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Jim Micklethwaite, Managing Director, Financial Markets at Thomas Murray
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Mr. Jim Micklethwaite, Managing Director, Financial Markets at Thomas Murray

Jim manages the Global Network Management (‘GNM’) division at TM and has over 26 years in the financial services industry. His responsibilities include running a team of 25 analysts and network managers who track custodian and market practice in 104 markets and assess risks in over 300 custodians, 145 CSDs and 27 CCPs worldwide. Jim is a subject matter expert on post-trade infrastructure and has led various strategic consulting projects on market infrastructure. Previously, Jim was a senior analyst within TM Network Management evaluating and selecting local and global custodians for clients as well as supporting a variety of consultancy engagements. Prior to joining TM in 1995, he was at Taylor Nelson Sofres as a Project Supervisor in their Financial division.
Mr. Saker Asllan Chief Operations Officer Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
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Mr. Saker Asllan Chief Operations Officer Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

Saker Asllan brings over 18 years of expertise in financial markets and banking to his role as the Chief Exchange Operations Officer at the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). At ADX, he leads the Operations Team, ensuring effective trading control and the preservation of fair market practices through surveillance. His responsibilities also extend to fostering efficient engagement with all financial market members. In addition to his primary role, Saker leads the continuous development of the Tabadul Hub Program, aimed at connecting exchanges and promoting cross-border trading. Before joining ADX, Saker was the Executive Director of Surveillance Optimisation at Morgan Stanley. In this role, he led the bank’s global surveillance program optimisation and spearheaded several key strategic trade monitoring initiatives. Prior to this, he worked for Nasdaq for 9 years, as Associate Vice President in Product Management, leading key product initiatives in Trade Surveillance, use of analytics and data visualizations to drive efficiency in trading risk management.

In 2008, Saker led the establishment of the Damascus Securities Exchange. As the Acting Deputy CEO, he was responsible for developing core business rules, procedures, and systems for trading, clearing, and settlement. Earlier, in 2006, he played a foundational role in the establishment of the Syrian Commission on Financial Markets as the IT Director, managing IT infrastructure and systems development. Saker holds an MSc (Hons) in International Financial Markets from the University of Southampton, an MBA (Hons) from the international program of Paris-Dauphine University, and a BS in Software Engineering from the University of Damascus.

Mazen Wathaifi Chief Executive Officer Amman Stock Exchange
Mr. Mazen Wathaifi Chief Executive Officer Amman Stock Exchange
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Mazen Wathaifi Chief Executive Officer Amman Stock Exchange

Mr. Mazen Wathaifi Chief Executive Officer Amman Stock Exchange

Mr. Wathaifi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) since September 2019. He joined the Amman Financial Market (AFM) in1984 and became the Director of the Research and Studies Department at the AFM in 1997. He was appointed as the Director of the Research and International Affairs Department at the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) in 1999.

Among his main responsibilities were conducting researches on matters related to capital market regulation and activities and following up the JSC’s relations with related international organizations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), Union of Arab of Securities Authorities (UASA), and International securities regulators. He took part in internal committees that drafted the Securities Law and legislations governing various activities in the national capital market. He headed the committee that drafted the Corporate Governance Code for Shareholding Companies Listed on Amman Stock Exchange. He is a member in several local, Arab, and international working groups and task forces. Mr. Wathaifi was appointed as the Executive Director of the JSC in July 2013.

In July 2014 he was appointed by the Jordanian Council of Ministers as a commissioner on the JSC’s Board of Commissioners in addition to the responsibilities of the Secretary General of the JSC. He holds the BA in Business and Economics in addition to a High Diploma in banking studies and the master’s degree in finance/ financial markets. He received training in several international institutions and institutes including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the British Financial Services Authority (FSA), the American University, and the Capital Market Research Center at the George Town University in Washington.  He participated and represented the JSC and ASE in several conferences and seminars on Arab and international levels.

Marwa Al-Maskati
Mrs. Marwa Al-Maskati Senior Director - Marketing and Communications Bahrain Bourse
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Marwa Al-Maskati

Mrs. Marwa Al-Maskati Senior Director - Marketing and Communications Bahrain Bourse

Marwa Al-Maskati leads the Marketing and Communication function of Bahrain Bourse where she is responsible for all market access, Investor Relations, and corporate access days. Since taking on this role in 2014, she has been instrumental in the implementation and establishment of new markets including the Real Estate Investment Trust Market (REIT) in 2016 and the Bahrain Investment Market (BIM) in 2017, played a crucial role in championing ESG within the capital markets, as well as the establishment and launch of the Middle East Investor Relations – Bahrain Chapter. Mrs. AlMaskati currently heads the Bahrain Chapter of MEIRA and sits on the Board of MEIRA as well, she is also an active member of the Arab Federation of Capital Markets – Sustainability Committee (2021-2022).
Mrs. Al-Maskati has over 20+ years of experience in the financial industry with a focus on areas including strategy development, venture capital, private equity, and business development, having previously worked for several prominent organizations. Prior to joining Bahrain Bourse, she held key roles with prominent organizations including the Central Bank of Bahrain, TAIB Bank, and Tamkeen. Mrs. Al-Maskati holds a First-Class Honors master’s in business administration from the University of Strathclyde (UK) in 2006 and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics from the University of Wales, Swansea (UK) in 2002.
Mrs. Al-Maskati has completed her professional certification as ‘Certified Investor Relations Officer’ awarded by the UK-IR Society and ‘Series 79’ awarded by the BIBF. Mrs. Al-Maskati has also completed the Regulators Securities Market Program conducted by Harvard Law School & IOSCO, ‘Diversity on Board’ program by HSBC, selected as part of 2nd cohort in ‘BBK Women on Boards’ program, and has recently completed the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme from SaÏd Business School – University of Oxford.
William Rimington Managing Director, Cyber Risk - Thomas Murray
Mr. William Rimington Managing Director Cyber Risk - Thomas Murray
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William Rimington Managing Director, Cyber Risk - Thomas Murray

Mr. William Rimington Managing Director Cyber Risk - Thomas Murray

William is the co-lead of the Thomas Murray Cyber Risk practice and is based in the London office. Over the course of a 25-year career in technology, risk and cyber security, William has worked tirelessly on the science and art of technical security testing. He helps organisations prepare for the reality of modern security incidents and the critical role that developing, implementing and validating security defences plays in standing up to the constantly evolving world of cyber-attacks.
Between 2018 and the end of 2022, William was instrumental in building and then co-leading the EMEA cyber security practice for Kroll, a global risk consultancy specialising in cyber, business intelligence and investigations.
He takes specific responsibility for technical testing and cyber security governance, risk and control services as well as driving strategic solutions for his clients. This included cyber due diligence in the deal space and on-going monitoring of cyber risk across investment portfolios both in large corporates and private equity.
Prior to Kroll, he led the Global Centre of Excellence for Ethical Hacking at PwC and led cyber security assurance reviews in their UK practice. William drove the development the data assurance practice in the PwC London office supporting assurance work and advised on technology risk more broadly.
William’s work has spanned industries, sectors, geography and organisational maturity, from the smallest start-ups to some of the largest multinational companies in the world.
He is adept at communicating current cyber security issues and themes with client executive boards, audit committees, and at external speaking events. With a background in software development and data analytics, his achievements and experiences are valued by his clients and his innovation has, for example, taken manual assurance playbooks into highly efficient digital solutions to test security operation centres.
Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN CEO and Board Member at MKK (CSD & TR of Türkiye) AECSD Chairman & WFC Board Member
Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN CEO, Board Member, MKK (CSD & TR of Türkiye) AECSD Chairman & WFC Board Member
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Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, MKK (CSD & TR of Türkiye) AECSD Chairman & WFC Board Member

Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN CEO, Board Member, MKK (CSD & TR of Türkiye) AECSD Chairman & WFC Board Member

Mr. ARIKAN earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Boğaziçi University and his MBA at Yeditepe University. He received his PhD degree from Istanbul Ticaret University in Business Administration with his thesis “Factors Affecting Corporate Governance Maturity Level and Analysis of Digital Maturity Level: A Research on Companies Traded in Borsa Istanbul”. He speaks advance level English and German, also beginner-level Arabic.
He started his career at Microsoft as a Support Engineer in 1998, and then he worked as a Program Specialist in 1999, and as a Program Manager in Windows International Product Development Group in 2000. Until 2006, he was responsible for the development of Windows operating systems in Turkey and for the “Turkish markets”.
Mr. ARIKAN worked at Ziraat Teknoloji A.Ş. which provides IT services for Ziraat Finance Group as IT Architecture Manager in 2007. He worked as a Project Management Office Manager in 2009, IT Security Manager in 2011, and was then appointed as Corporate Development Director in 2013. In 2014, he worked at “Ziraat Hayat ve Emeklilik A.Ş” as IT and Corporate Development Group Manager responsible for Information Technologies, Customer Services and Call Center, HR and Support Services.
In 2015, he started to work at the EPİAŞ (Energy Exchange- Enerji Piyasaları İşletme A.Ş.) as a Consultant to Chairman and then he was appointed to the Strategy Development Director role. He led establishment of the Transparency Platform, preparation of the first 5-year strategic plan and memberships and relations with the international associations such as EUROPEX.
In 2016, he started to work in Borsa Istanbul Group at Takasbank as the Executive Vice President for Information Technology. He led and actively took part in projects such as the BISTECH transition, the blockchain technology based digital assets project BiGA, establishment and structuring of the Takasbank R&D center, takeover of check clearing system from the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, establishment of the EPİAŞ Natural Gas Market Clearing and Collateral Management services, opening of the SWAP market, and development of the TEFAS and BES mobile applications. He played a significant role in the implementation and management of various business development and infrastructure transformation projects.
Since April 2019, he has been working as the General Manager and Board Member at Merkezi Kayıt Kuruluşu, the Central Securities Depository of Türkiye. He pioneered the development of numerous new products and services such as; custody services provided to the Turkish Mercantile Exchange, establishment of the Omnibus Account structure and membership of Euroclear Bank and the Azerbaijan CSD (Milli Deposit Merkezi), founding of the Crowdfunding Platform, development of the Electronic Trade Repository, implementation of the Electronic General Meeting system in the Indonesian capital market and acquisition of the MKK GABİM company from the Turkish Association of Appraisers. Moreover, he led development and establishment of the Data Analysis Platform, Investor Information Center (e-YATIRIMCI) application, Bearer Shares Registry System, Investor Risk Monitoring System, Pusula and the GEFAS platform.
Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN, as the CEO and Board Member of MKK, has assumed the Chairmanship of the Association of Eurasian Central Securities Depositories (AECSD) starting from September 2023. By virtue of this duty, Dr. Ekrem ARIKAN has become a Board Member of the World Forum of CSDs (WFC).
Nivaldo Renato de Almeida Matias
Mr. Nivaldo Renato de Almeida Matias, Head of Business Development, BODIVA, Angola
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Nivaldo Renato de Almeida Matias

Mr. Nivaldo Renato de Almeida Matias, Head of Business Development, BODIVA, Angola

Nivaldo Matias, graduated in Economics from Universidade Lusíada de Angola in 2008. He completed his postgraduate degree in Economics from the University of Manchester in 2010 and completed his master’s degree in finance and business, from Manchester Metropolitan University Business School in 2012. He began his professional career in 2008, at ValleySoft – Luanda, Angola, where he worked as Coordination Assistant. In January 2013, he joined the staff of the National Bank of Angola, in the Financial Institutions Supervision Department, with the role of Banking Supervisor. Still in 2013, he joined the technical staff of the company General Electrics, where he worked as a financial analyst and participated in the Financial Management program. In 2015 he joined the banking sector, more specifically at Banco Económico, with the role of senior technician in the Investment Banking Department, where later in 2019 he reached the role of Financial Coordinator. He currently holds the position of head of the Market Development Department at BODIVA, being responsible for monitoring and promoting initiatives that aim to promote the national capital market.
Mr. Stuart Turner,Chairman of Avenir Technology Limited
Mr. Stuart Turner,Chairman of Avenir Technology Limited
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Mr. Stuart Turner,Chairman of Avenir Technology Limited

Mr. Stuart Turner,Chairman of Avenir Technology Limited

Stuart has spent 35 years in the capital markets, mostly working for or consulting to FMIs or for suppliers of systems to FMIs. His main speciality and interest are in risk management.
Ten years ago, he founded Avenir Technology, with like-minded colleagues, to provide efficient and cost-effective trading, clearing and settlement solutions to FMIs. He is currently Chairman of the company. He is also founder and Chairman of Avenir Registrars, a CREST registrar in London.
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Venue - Ritz Carlton Hotel, Doha

AMEDA 39th meeting recommendations

  1. Foster co-operation and integration between central securities depositories in AMEDA member states.
  2. Embrace artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline processes, enhance risk management, and improve post-trade services while reducing costs.
  3. Priorities sustainability and ESG initiatives to ensure long-term business continuity.
  4. Adapt to the latest international standards for data security and cybersecurity.
  5. Regularly assess emerging trends and challenges facing the global depository and registry industry.
  6. Establish a knowledge-sharing platform for AMEDA members, Afro-Asian markets, regulators, and governments. This includes creating an innovation hub for developing new solutions and offering professional training for depository and registry professionals.
  7. Launch an innovation platform to develop cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving needs of the financial market. This platform will also explore avenues for enhanced collaboration between member companies, regulators, and government bodies.
  8. Encourage interaction and information exchange between member companies to build strategic partnerships and foster mutual understanding.
  9. Emphasis on reviewing new regulatory and legislative developments, providing guidance on adaptation, and showcasing successful case studies to highlight key factors for success in the depository and listing field.
  10. Promote strong cybersecurity practices to protect systems, networks, and digital data from malicious attacks and data breaches. This is crucial for all public and private institutions.

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]]> World Forum Of Central Securities Depositors, Prague 2023 https://www.ameda.org.eg/world-forum-of-central-securities-depositories-may-2023-prague/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=world-forum-of-central-securities-depositories-may-2023-prague Thu, 23 Mar 2023 11:22:22 +0000 https://www.ameda.org.eg/?p=2330

The main and global event for CSDs, their participants and regulators. This year it will be held in Prague across three days between 24 and 26 of May. Below in the agenda section you will find details on the themes that will be explored.

Registration for WFC2023 is open! Please click here for more information.

If you would like us to get in touch on the sponsoring of the event, please contact the organisers here.


Speakers

Caroline D. Pham

Commissioner, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Samuel Riley Head of Securities Services, Clearstream (1)
Samuel Riley

Head of Securities Services, Clearstream

Javier Hernani Burzako Head Securities Services, SIX (1)
Javier Hernani Burzako

Head Securities Services, SIX

Guillaume Eliet

Chief Executive Officer, Euroclear ESES CSDs

Kong Qingwen General Manager, CSDC (1)
Kong Qingwen

General Manager, CSDC

Vojtech-Belling-Executive-Director-Department-of-Financial-Regulation-and-International-Cooperation-Czech-National-Bank
Vojtěch Belling

Executive Director, Department of Financial Regulation and International Cooperation, Czech National Bank

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