Known as Architect of modern India-Japan Partnership and the newly established Alternative Development Model (ADM)

Vibhav Kant Upadhyay is a development leader known for his statesmanship, macro-vision and pragmatism. A prolific out-of-the-box thinker, Vibhav strongly believes that the current development model needs a foundational change and has dedicated his life towards manifesting this thought process into visible and tangible results through the Alternative Development Model (ADM).

Vibhav’s leadership successfully catalysed the India-Japan Global Partnership (IJGP) initiative which was announced in the year 2000 by the leaders of India and Japan. With relentless persuasion, he has nurtured and strengthened the strategic relationship between the two nations. This has led to mega-initiatives like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), which was formed to re-establish the industrial culture of India. Therefore, he is widely regarded as the architect of the modern India-Japan relationship.

Vibhav’s leadership is currently dedicated to furthering the development framework of ADM and initiatives based on it through the manifestation platforms and organizations in India, Japan and Global Partners. Under this model, the collaborative strengths and resources of Global Partners are utilised to empower not just the developed but the developing nations too.

Vibhav believes that India and Africa are the socio-economic labs for the ADM model and Norway is the living lab. With one-sixth of humanity each in India and Africa, the adoption of ADM can become an example in the world for sustainable development for humanity.

Vibhav focuses on ethos of contributory, inclusive and accessible development, championing the cause of a common man. His initiatives have led to thousands of projects creating opportunities, employment and vibrant economy. Vibhav is the Founder and Chairman of various organizations including the Alternative Development Organisation (ADO) in Oslo, Norway, India-Japan Foundation (IJF) Tokyo, Japan and India Center Foundation(ICF) New Delhi, India. He is also the Founder Chairman of Global Partnership Summit (GPS), a platform to take forward the Alternative Development Model (ADM) framework and initiatives based on it by manifesting unique ideas into tangible outcomes by empowering G2G, G2B and B2B interaction.

The organisations will take forward seminal, innovative initiatives to establish ADM around the world focusing on areas such as Infrastructure, Healthcare, Agriculture, Education, Environment and Social Justice.

Vibhav was born in Agra, India. He has a Post-Graduate degree from the University of Allahabad. He has a second Post-Graduate degree from the University of Tokyo. Vibhav is prolific in Japanese language besides Hindi and English.

He is a young Norwegian Member of Parliament known for his innate leadership qualities. He has served as a Deputy Minister of Law and Justice of Norway at the age of 25, and served as a Deputy Minister/State Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. He is a member of the standing committee on Justice as well. Backed by his immense expertise and knowledge of the country Norway, he is nurturing and taking the relationship between India and Norway to new heights.

Tomohiro is an expert in Fintech, especially payment and international money transfer business. Based on his 20 years experience, he is currently leading the development of unbanked layer in the digital money domain and the operation of the blockchain business in Japan and overseas.

Tomohiro has connected business to academy and governments. He lectured at Tsinghua University and Money 2020 for business ideas. He has funded Investment fund with partners from other countries, such as the Brunei government, Malaysia's PNB, Jefferies Tsinghua University.

Tomohiro’s vision is to innovate and deliver good services to society. He believes the countries are moving individually and people are entering a new era, will bring together a cutting-edge technology such as blockchain business to create a digital financial revolution.

She is a Communications Strategist with a passion for New Media. She holds a Master’s degree in Multimedia Journalism from the reputed Media School of Bournemouth University. Ms Dewan has worked as a journalist during the tumultuous “People’s War” of Nepal reporting on various political and socio-economic issues such as the Maoist conflict, food security, conservation, environment and development. She has worked as a News Anchor and Producer. She is the founding Chairperson of Media Accountability Foundation (MAF), which aims to promote media literacy and ethics in journalism. She is the Secretary General of India Center Foundation.

He is a business strategist and thinker with years of experience in global marketing and technology development. He has been a technology pioneer in fields of high-speed data/telecom networking and mobile Internet. He holds several patents in field of multi-service networking and mobile applications.

Hon. Dr. Kenzo Fujisue is a member of the House of Councilors in the Diet (the national legislature of Japan). He is also the Director of the Committee on Financial Affairs.

He graduated from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and received master's degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University in the United States. He was elected to the House of Councilors for the first time in 2004 when he left assistant professorship at the University of Tokyo.

Hon. Tetsuro Yano is the President of the Association of African Economy and Development. He was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).

A native of Utsunomiya, Tochigi, and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1992 after serving in the assembly of Tochigi Prefecture for three terms since 1983.

Dr. Eppanapally is a financial services professional, an entrepreneur and a philanthropist with a passion for healthcare, education and environment. His mission has been to transform youth into responsible citizens to establish a peaceful society for harmonious living.
With over 30 years of diverse experience, Dr. Eppanapally has been involved in managing high visible global initiatives in the financial and social services sectors. He is an entrepreneur and invested in several disruptive technology companies. He is a mentor, a visionary and passionate about giving back to the society, and founder of few NGOs and serves on several boards.

Dr. Hideto Tomebachi is the Chairman at Dr. Tomebachi Works. He is also a Principal scientist at Cognitive Research Laboratories. An academician and a scientist, Dr. Tomebachi has authored over 300 books and academic papers.

Tolga Uzuner has more than 23 years of financial services industry experience, having most recently established and run the CIO of Apollo’s European Asset Management arm responsible for managing 4 insurance companies and 2 banks for 4 years.

Prior to that, he has worked for the CIO of JP Morgan Chase for 8 years. He has over 13 years of investment management experience.

Diambi Kabatusuila was crowned as the traditional ruler of the Bena Tshiyamba People of the Bakwa Indu of Central Kasa誰 Region part of the ancient Luba Empire in the Democratic Republic of Congo on August 31st, 2016. On March 3, 2019, the Queen was crowned in Salvador de Bahia, Queen Mother of the Bantu People of Brazil, the Historical African Diaspora, she has been awarded the title of Grande M達e do Povo Bantu Bazileiro by Parliament in Brazil in March 2019.

Queen Diambi holds a Doctorate of Public Administration, a Doctorate Honoris Causa of Philosophy in Humanities, a Professorship in International Law and Order, a Master of Science in Applied Psychology, a Master Of Science in Mental Health Counseling and also hold a Bachelor Science in Business-Finance and Economics. Queen Diambi is the founder of the Elikia Hope Foundation, NYC and she is the Minister of Foreign Affaires of the State of the African Diaspora of the 6th Region of Africa, which is recognized by the African Union. Queen Diambi has always been very interested in all matters concerning the restoration of the African Identity through the study of African history and of the cultural heritage of the continent.

Barbara Dietrich is the owner, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic World- only magazine published on paper in or around Brussels (with four editions a year distributed in high-quality paper form), counting amongst its subscribers all the Embassies in Brussels, all Members of the European Parliament, the DG’s of the European Commission, the European Council, Members of the Belgian Government, the Belgian Royal Family and other Heads of State plus many influential economic forums and organizations, advocacy and consultancy bureaus and think tanks in Brussels, providing this community and a wider public of interested readers with profound and trendsetting insights in the latest diplomatic, international and European evolutions and tendencies (with a special focus on cultural diplomacy, diplomatic economy, trade, business, art and health).

The high-level content of Diplomatic World is based on a full-time engagement and direct/constant contacts with European and international officials - from Ambassadors and Ministers to European Commissioners, Prime Ministers and national and EU Presidents – of Barbara Dietrich. Through the high-quality paper publication, followed and circulating intensively inside the Brussels bubble and in other diplomatic capitals, and through the further online dissemination of the editions published under the supervision of Ms Dietrich, Diplomatic World has a very wide reach and can claim the status of a key diplomatic-journalistic medium and very influential global think tank and opinion-maker.

He is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in building, managing and scaling up companies with global foot prints, especially in India and Japan. He is an India-Japan expert and has very closely worked with various govt. departments in India and Japan. He has served & worked with global companies like companies Sojitz, Pasona, Turbolinux, Mitusi Group etc. He is the founding member of India Center, Japan and also a member Executive Board of Global Partnership Summit. He is also a startup mentor and a business incubator.

He is a global Indian with extensive experience in Strategy and Business Development across the world. He is based in Chicago, USA. Mr Subramanian is in-charge of Global Affairs and leads the Global India Initiative at India Center Foundation. His role includes active participation in the activities of the India Center Foundation including IJGPS and working closely with the Chairman in conceptualizing and executing various strategic initiatives

Mr. Dache is the founder of the Government Blockchain Association (GBA). He has established over 120 government blockchain chapters around the world and has established approximately fifty working groups. GBA working groups cover a wide range of topics. He has developed blockchain training materials that cover most of the established blockchain protocols, platforms, and products. He has delivered public addresses to the United Nations, the US Capitol, and delivered keynote addresses to audiences of thousands of blockchain leaders around the world. He has advised national government cabinet officials as well as state and local leaders.

Mudit Dawar is the Managing Director of Access Ventures, a cross-border investment and advisory company focused on growth equity and venture capital. Prior to Access Ventures, Mudit was a founding member of a San Francisco based consumer tech company. Leading growth and strategy, he grew the company from 0-1mm+ users within 24 months and the company was acquired in Nov 2019. Previously, Mudit also handled client portfolio management services at BlackRock where he worked with public and corporate pension and endowment clients.

High growth markets and technology are domains of special interest to Mudit as he enables cross-pollination of capital, technology, and talent across borders aimed at generating positive socio-economic change. Mudit is an executive board member at India Center Foundation (ICF), a non-profit serving as a catalyst between India & Japan and responsible for mega-initiatives like Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Mudit earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Drexel University.

Sandeep Shah, better known as Sandy, is an ardent strategist and professional philanthropist for over 20 years. He believes that the core business of any business should be value creation for humanity. Raised in a family of doctors and nurtured in an environment which encouraged contribution towards society,
Sandeep has journeyed through the stark realities of life and has arrived at a juncture where his sole mission is to create a legacy through his business acumen. To complete this mission, he has founded the holding company ‘House of Sandy Consulting Pvt. Ltd’ under which he operates as a catalyst of a futuristic economy based on art, culture, entertainment and nation- building initiatives.

He has also founded the Financial Management company Four Aces Advisory Pvt. Ltd, which focuses on private equity, mergers and acquisitions, financial consulting and venture capital projects.
At the core of his person, though, Sandy goes by Zen’s quote of “kindness is the eternal law”. We can easily say his operating system is encoded with humility, compassion and magnanimity and he is dedicated to leave behind a legacy of a better world made of better, happier people.

Rico has over 15 years experience in emerging markets across properties, supply chain management, E-commerce, Techfin, private equity & public listed corporate management. Rico has significant experience in business development for institutional distribution channels for cross-selling emerging market equity and debt products across markets in Asia, Middle East & Europe with unparalleled coverage network with venture capitals, UHNW family offices & sovereign wealth funds.

Rico is currently the Founder & CEO of Sanctum Pte. Ltd. – a leading Multi-Family Office that serves UHNW families across Asia & Middle East primarily on emerging technology portfolios and digital assets transformation.

Rico is the Founder & COO of the Fido Protocol - The enterprise ready Blockchain solution that is undisruptable, secured and scalable.

Rico is the Founder and MP for Sanctum Venture Partner - The Ecosystem Funds to incubate unicorns with the technologies that will contribute towards the development of Digital Economy & Smart Cities.

Rico has been interviewed by media globally including CNBC, ABC News, China News & etc. He is frequently invited as Chairperson, Keynote speaker and Host at conferences including Australia National Education Conference, ISANA Annual Conference, Malaysia-China Entrepreneur Conference, China-ASEAN E-Commerce Summit, Asia Blockshow, Malta AI & Blockchain Summit. Rico also appeared on Live Broadcast for production by China Nanning TV Channel.

Prior to his entrepreneurship, Rico was the Charter President of New Century Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur City Centre at the aged 21 after awarded as the Top Leo Club President for District 308B1 at the aged of 19. He was elected as the National President for the Australia International Student Peak Body NLC in 2005 for two consecutive terms. Since then, he has been a serial entrepreneur and spend most of his time on building businesses that will make a positive difference in the world through working with like minded partners.

Rico is an active advocate and always believe in giving back to the society.

Arne is a former naval submariner and shipping industry executive turned serial tech entrepreneur with several successful exits, particularly within the SaaS fintech space. Proven international executive with multi-industrial and multi-cultural experience.

Arne has the ability to quickly understand and navigate complex technologies, products and industries, focusing on bridging the growing communication disconnect between Tech, Business and Finance.

As CEO, Arne bootstrapped Accurate Equity, a FinTech SaaS and professional services company within equity-based incentives design, accounting, valuation and disclosure. Arne led the sale of Accurate Equity to a major PE in 2015, producing a 56x return for the early investors. The business was sold again to Computershare for 419 MUSD in 2018.

In 2014-2016 Arne started helping many businesses start or enter a new phase -as part of establishing a private investment portfolio.

As lead invest and Chair, Arne led the restructuring and sale of MeaWallet, a FinTech SaaS mobile payment infrastructure company (tokenization of Visa, Mastercard and Amex) to INVUO (Nasdaq). MewWallet is thriving and is today back on Norwegian hands (founders + the Norwegian VC Idékapital).

As CEO 2014-2020, Arne was instrumental in developing Friend Software Corp, an open source hyperconverged virtual mainframe - virtual computer. www.friendos.com

As a result, Arne has gained leading edge understanding of digital transformation/digitalisation and blockchain/decentralized ledger technologies.

Cross-industry experience
Navy, Intl ship-transportation tech, legal and lobby, commercial trader/broker within PetChem industry, shipping IT and Finance, IT, media and technology in general (TMT sector).

He is a Social Entrepreneur with expertise in rural development, organisational management, youth affairs, and political strategy. He is a graduate in Political Science from Delhi University and postgraduate in Politics, leadership, and governance from Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership.

Dieter Brockmeyer is an international speaker and host, consults to the industry and was initiator and chairman of eur§reg and Multichannel Money Streams Congress, MCMS, industry events that brought together media regulators and TV executives from across Europe to talk about the future of TV business.

Dieter provides regular columns for DIPLOMATIC WORLD and THE DIPLOMATIC SOCIETY. He also authored books on the industry and wrote numer- ous articles in printed international magazines.

From 2014 to 2018 he initiated and headed three seasons of Global Media Innovator (GMI). Today acts as Chief Project Officer (CPO) of DIPLOMATIC WORLD group and Director Innovation and TIME for the DIPLOMATIC WORLD INSTITUTE he co- founded.

Prince Hon. Dr. Saviour Chishimba is the President of the United Progressive People (UPP) of Zambia and a highly personable, competent, self-motivated, dynamic and team-spirited public health consultant and researcher recognized for in various work environments/settings.

He has actively spent 22 years of his life in the Public Sphere (Political and Socio-economic Sphere). He has a Ph.D. in Public Health and is an expert in strategic planning, public health policy development and analysis, development of monitoring and evaluation systems, data quality management, project management, and fundraising.

Elaine is a barrister with over 20 years’ in-house experience in capital markets, funds, and commercial transactions gained from global investment banks, hedge funds as well as other financial institutions. She has acted as general counsel, managing external counsel, as well as collaborating with C-level executives on business strategy and development, has cultivated an awareness for identifying and managing legal risks in all business areas. More recently she was engaged as director of Digital Associates,

As an entrepreneur, she has a passion for innovation and the initiation of new product offerings for business growth and the enhancement of profitability.

Elaine has a keen interest in technology and innovation and has advised technology start-ups, on their capital raising strategy.

Elaine is thorough in implementing and achieving strategic and tactical goals and maintains an environment built on integrity, quality, operational excellence and uncompromising ethics

Elaine maintains a keen focus on socio-economic development in Africa, where she has been engaged in extensive government and private sector projects.

Her qualifications include a BSc Chemistry from Queen Mary University of London, an LLB from Middlesex University, an LLM from University College London. She is also qualified as a Barrister of England and Wales, and is a member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. In 2005, she undertook the Investment Management Program at London Business School and in 2014 the Private Equity Masterclass. More recently, Elaine completed the Oxford University Said Business School Fintech Programme.

Cinthia Loïs Ta Thomsen is founder and Chief Executive of the African Chamber of Commerce Scandinavia (ACCS) whose purpose is to promote sustainable business and investment opportunities between Scandinavia and Africa.

Cinthia is Member of Parliament of the State of African Diaspora and serve in 3 commissions: 1) Economy and Finances 2) Industry, Infrastructure and New technologies and 3) Agriculture and Fisheries.

Cinthia is a member of the advisory board of the Africa Transport Trade Energy Summit (ATTES), a conference designed to present and promote the continent’s infrastructural potential. She also serves as ATTES Global Program Director, Nordic.

Prince Kitenge is the co-founder & president of the “Kitenge Yesu & Bateme Bibi” foundation (F.K.Y.B.B), which works on initiatives that aim to promote and strengthen the social and economic development of rural areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has been working closely with DRC’s Presidency on national development projects initiated by the cabinet of the High Representative and Special Envoy of the President. He also has several years of experience as a corporate finance consultant working for large consulting firms in Belgium.

Mateusz is a graduate of the University of Warsaw (law, political science) and the SGH Warsaw School of Economics (postgraduate management studies).
From an early age, he has been involved in social and political activities. He has participated in many international programs, internships and study visits as well as achieving numerous scientific successes.
He is a lawyer in a renowned law firm in Warsaw, advisor to an international investment fund management board based in Poland and founder and president of the International Institute of Civil Society. He is also a member of the Social Dialogue Committee of the Polish Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Programme Council of the Center for Research on Legal Aspects of Blockchain Technology.
Earlier, he had been working, among others, in the polish government as an advisor to both the environment minister and the national education minister.