Governance
Shaikh Mahmud bin Ilyas
Founder and Chairman, Global Peace Summit
Shaikh Mahmud holds an LLB (Hons) from the University of London and has completed specialized studies in Justice at Harvard University. He also earned a Diploma in International Environmental Law and Governance from the United Nations and has undertaken advanced training in Managing Conflicts at Università di Bologna. His academic and professional background reflects a strong commitment to law, justice, governance, and conflict resolution.
Omar Mahmood Hayat
Patron-in-Chief, Global Peace Summit
Lt. General Omar Mahmood Hayat (Retd) is a graduate of the National Defence University and the Command & Staff College, Quetta. He has served as Chairman of Pakistan Ordnance Factory, National Disaster Management Authority, and Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority, as well as Chief of Staff, Special Support Group, and later held leadership roles as Chairman of Unity Foods and Wah Nobel Group.
Sümeyye Demetgül
Sumeyye Demetgul is a Turkish lawyer and public affairs professional with academic backgrounds in law, public law, and psychological counseling. She completed her master’s degree in Public Law at Ondokuz Mayıs University and holds undergraduate degrees from Uludag University and Ordu University. She practices independently as a lawyer and is actively engaged in civic and political initiatives through her roles with the Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) and TÜGVA.
Rabia Omar Hassan
Rabia Omar Hassan is a distinguished legal, financial, and arbitration professional with extensive experience in banking, investment management, and international dispute resolution. She serves as Executive Director of Global Chamber Phoenix and Partner at Spencer West LLP, having previously held senior leadership positions at HBL and HBL Asset Management. She holds qualifications in law, economics, arbitration, sustainability, and Islamic finance, and is recognized for her multidisciplinary expertise.
Syed Ahsan Gaylani
Syed Ahsan Gaylani is an accomplished banking and investment professional with extensive leadership experience in corporate finance, development advisory, and renewable energy initiatives. He previously served with UNIDO, EnerTech Holding Company, and AKD Securities in senior strategic roles. He holds an MBA in International Business and Multinational Finance from Cardiff University and is a Certified Director accredited by the National Institute of Banking and Finance in Pakistan.
Raissa Bhutto
Raissa Bhutto is a lawyer, certified mediator, and emerging youth leader in legal and diplomatic engagement. She serves as a Global Shaper with the Global Shapers Community and previously worked as Associate Editor for Opinion Law Magazine. She is also a Youth Member of the United Nations Association of Pakistan and an accredited mediator with the International Mediation Institute. Her training includes mediation and international labour standards.
Asoomii Jay
Asoomii Jay holds a BS in Psychology from Carleton University. She is a human rights defender associated with Amnesty International and has served as a Humanitarian Aid Worker with the Human Relief Foundation. Her professional experience includes roles as Global Senior CRM Executive at Travelex and Marketing Executive at International SOS, reflecting a diverse background in humanitarian work, human rights advocacy, and international engagement.
David Swanson
David Swanson is a renowned peace activist, author, journalist, and radio host. He serves as the Executive Director and Co-Founder of World BEYOND War, a global movement dedicated to ending war and promoting peaceful alternatives to conflict. He is the author of several books on peace, foreign policy, and international relations, and is widely recognized for his advocacy of diplomacy, disarmament, human rights, and nonviolent conflict resolution.
Aslam Khan
Brigadier Aslam Khan (Retd) holds an MBA and a Master’s degree in Political Science. He currently serves as President of the Rural Development Foundation and has previously held senior leadership positions as Chief Executive at WAPDA, Director of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), and Project Director at UNDP, contributing extensively to development, governance, and public sector initiatives.
Daliah Vakili
Daliah Vakili holds an MSc in Violence, Conflict, and Development from SOAS University of London. She serves as Director and Project Director of the Democracy Centre for Transparency, is a dedicated Palestinian human rights activist, and works as a Research Coordinator with the WWP European Network. Her work focuses on human rights advocacy, conflict studies, social justice, and community empowerment initiatives.
Lailla Bal'Mahdi
Lailla Bal’Mahdi is an academic writer, researcher, and human rights activist. A graduate of the University of Westminster and the University of Brighton, she is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She works as an Independent Employment Law Consultant, with expertise spanning research, human rights, and workplace relations.
Robert Fantina
Robert Fantina holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Waterloo. He is the author of Occupied Palestine: Israel, the U.S., and International Law and serves on the boards of World BEYOND War, Canadians for Palestinian Rights, and Canadians for Peace and Justice in Kashmir. His work focuses on peace, human rights, and international justice.
Alex Lawson
Alex Lawson is a Fellow of the Research Society of International Law and holds both an LLB and LLM from Durham University, United Kingdom. He has previously served as a Lecturer at Durham University and BPP University and specializes in International Law, Constitutional Law, European Union Law, and Jurisprudence.
Rahim Volkov
Rahim Volkov is an Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University, researcher, and political scientist. A graduate of the University of Tartu with a specialization in EU–Russia affairs, he is the CEO and Founder of the Eurasian Post. He has also contributed to publications including the The Jerusalem Post, Geopolitica, Open Diplomacy, 4PT, and Russian Times.