Leaders driving sustainable growth honoured

A group of UAE and Turkiye leaders who performed outstandingly in redefining markets, accelerating digital transformation, and shaping sustainable economic growth has been honoured in the recent Impact Innovation Excellence Awards 2026.

The event was held in Istanbul, Turkiye, with participants from United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Turkiye and other regions.

Nousheen Mukhtar, CEO of Dubai-based Impact Events and the Impact Leadership Global Programme, said, “The global mission aims at elevating leaders, amplifying innovation, and building plaforms that empower individuals and organisations to create meaningful global impact. Our aim is to influence, empowerment, and transformation: helping people rise, lead, and contribute to a beter world through innovation, collaboration, and purpose driven leadership. The award event brought together global innovators, founders, policymakers, and industry shapers. It cherished deeper brotherly relationship between the two countries of the UAE and Turkiye. Istanbul’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem, rising unicorns, and surge in venture capital made it the perfect stage for advancing her vision,” she added.

The keynote speakers included Nousheen Mukhtar, Dr. Eng. Zayed Ahmad Al Tamimi, Dr. Angela Thomas and Dr. Kendall Wilson. The insighful discussion forum on innovation featuring global speakers Dr. Naznen Maymoun, the UAE Government Adviser Ahmed Al Mahmood, Umut Rallas, Dipak Bhadra and Ahmet Cagri Karamisir served as a strategic centrepiece of the event — designed to ignite forward thinking dialogue, accelerate collaboration, and inspire leaders to shape the future of global business.

Eyup Akbal, the Vice Chairman of Fuzul Holding, delivered a powerful speech about the global economic role of Turkiye. Eyup Akbal is a pioneer in revolutionising the interest-free finance system in Turkiye. Turkish parliamentarian Serkan Bayram graced the event with his presence and motivated the global audience through a powerful speech about determination and resilience.

Among award winners were Eyup Akbal, Damla Dikbıyık, Dipak Bhadra, Riadh Bouaziz, Nicole Purin, Anu Sharma, Dr. Kendall Wilson, Dr. Angela Thomas, Dr. Lisa Saha, Nawal Alhanaee, Nishad Abdu Rahiman, Monica Perna and Francesco Iannello.

Nawal Alhanaee – the director of energy department at Future Energy Department Dubai, Dubai Municipality won an award for Quality Assurance and Process Excellence. Tariq Ismail, the Deputy Secretary General for Institutional Enablement at the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), won an award for Excellence in Organizational Strategic Planning.

Nesibe Konulğa, influencer and content creator along with two Turkish artists Gul Gokce Korkmaz and Inanc Karaduman brought charm at the event.

“For the Impact Leadership Programme community, the Istanbul edition marked a significant milestone. It opened new doors for collaboration, investment, and international partnerships, strengthening the programme’s mission to cultivate influential leaders who drive meaningful change,” said Nousheen Mukhtar.