Founder & CEO of ICELIS Global and Vice President at The Diwan , Elena Athwal, moderated a high-level panel at the 3rd GCC-German Young Leaders Forum, which took place on June 24, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. The event was hosted by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and co-hosted by the German-Arab Friendship Association (DAFG).
This exclusive 3rd GCC-German Young Leaders Forum, held alongside the 7th German-Arab Gulf Dialogue on Security and Cooperation, was attended by high profile dignitaries including H.R.H. Prince Turki AlFaisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, (Chairman, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS), H.E. Shaikh Fawaz Al Sabah, (Former Assistant Undersecretary, Kuwaiti Government and Advisory Board Member for ICELIS Global and The Diwan) who was a panelist during the event and H.E. Luigi di Maio, (European Union Special Representative for the Gulf Region).
📸: Elena Athwal with H.R.H. Prince Turki AlFaisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
The event brought together rising leaders, diplomats, and policy experts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Germany to exchange ideas on regional transformation, global cooperation and youth leadership.
The forum was opened by Philipp Dienstbier, Director, (Regional Programme Gulf States, KAS), Saad Al-Tami, (President, The Diwan and co-host for the event) and Houssam Maarouf (Vice President, German-Arab Friendship Association (DAFG).
The Keynote Address was taken by H.R.H. Prince Turki AlFaisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS)
Discussion Round II of the 3rd GCC-German Young Leaders Forum — “Energy and Economic Transformation in Germany and the Gulf” — was moderated by Elena Athwal and panelists included: H.H. Abeer Al Saud, Founder & Chair, The Sustainable Development Association (Talga) and Dr. Sabrina Schulz, Germany Director, European Initiative for Energy Security and Associate Fellow, German Council on Foreign Relations
📸: Elena Athwal and panelists during Discussion Round II which featured L-R: Dr. Sabrina Schulz, H.H. Abeer Al Saud, Dr. Aljubair Ebtisam Abdullah, Dr. Bushra Ahmed A Al-Hammad
This session explored how Germany and the Gulf can drive forward energy diversification, hydrogen innovation and inclusive growth through strategic cooperation.
📸: Elena Athwal with Philipp Dienstbier, Director, (Regional Programme Gulf States, The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung)
The 3rd GCC-German Young Leaders Forum was sponsored by The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, The Diwan, DAFG, and the Regional Programme Gulf States (RPGS). We would also like to appreciate Ambassador (ret.) Bernd Mutzelburg, Member of the Board of Directors, German-Arab Friendship Association (DAFG) for his immense contributions towards the success of the program.