Sharjah hosts WAIPA assembly and elections ahead of SIF 2025

Held before the WAIPA World Investment Conference (WIC 2025), which runs alongside the Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2025), the high-level assembly brought together investment leaders and policymakers from around the world at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre.

As WAIPA’s highest decision-making body, the General Assembly brought together member agencies to set the organisation’s strategic direction, elect its 2025–2027 Steering Committee, and approve essential amendments to the WAIPA Statutes, strengthening its mission to promote international investment cooperation.

Highlights of the 2025–2027 WAIPA steering committee elections

The newly elected Steering Committee reflects the global diversity of WAIPA’s membership and will set the organisation’s priorities for the next two years. The Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) was elected to the presidency, represented by Mr Mohammed Youssef Mulla Yaqoub, Acting Director General. The two vice-presidencies were secured by the Centre for Exports and Investment of the Dominican Republic (ProDominicana) and Invest Korea.

Competitive elections also occurred across various regional categories. The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) secured the Sub-Saharan Africa directorship, while the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency obtained the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) directorship. The Board of Investment Pakistan was elected for South Asia, Invest Fiji for Oceania, Enterprise Greece for Europe, Invest Cyprus for Eastern Europe, and CNI Honduras for Central America and the Caribbean.

A unified global vision for investment

Reflecting on the successful gathering, Ismail Ersahin, CEO and Executive Director of WAIPA, said:

“Hosting our global membership in Sharjah has provided a truly unique backdrop for setting our strategic course for the years ahead. The interaction between our leadership elections, WIC 2025, and the Sharjah Investment Forum has created an unparalleled platform for action, firmly positioning WAIPA at the heart of the global dialogue on sustainable and transformative investment.”

Ersahin emphasised the significance of the event in fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainable growth, in line with WAIPA’s mission to enhance the global network of investment promotion agencies (IPAs).

Setting the global investment agenda

The decisions and mandates reaffirmed during the General Assembly will be incorporated into discussions at the WAIPA World Investment Conference 2025, which runs alongside SIF 2025.

Organised by Invest in Sharjah, in partnership with WAIPA and the UAE Ministry of Investment, SIF x WIC 2025 convenes over 130 international speakers across 160 sessions and activities, examining topics such as sustainable foreign direct investment, the future of digital economies, global market integration, and empowering IPAs through innovation and technology.

The combined forums aim to promote a unified global discussion on the future of investment and economic transformation, strengthening Sharjah’s reputation as a link between markets and ideas.