Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced as 'Leaders in Dubai' patron

His Highness' patronage of the event, expected to attract more than 2,500 delegates, is in line with his constant support of leadership initiatives in the region. His Highness' efforts have been widely acknowledged with a number of regional and international awards, most recently a Lifetime Achievement Award from Lebanon's Prime Minister Rafiq Al Hariri.

Leaders in Dubai will see seven of the world's foremost speakers on leadership address the region's business community.

Jessica Sutherland, General Manager of IIR Exhibitions and Conferences, which is organising the event under its LEADING MINDS brand, said: 'It is entirely appropriate that Sheikh Mohammed has lent his patronage to the event, since he is often named as one of the most inspirational leaders in Arabia in recent years.

'In addition, the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders is key to developing future regional leaders to ensure corporate Arabia continues to flourish.'

Seven experts from the worlds of business, politics and academia will debate the most effective styles of leadership at Leaders in Dubai, with an audience of regional government ministers, CEOs and more than 2,500 delegates.

The speaker line-up will feature Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, who led the city through its recovery process after September 11, and Jack Welch, the charismatic former CEO of General Electric, who will speak via video-cast.

From the academic world, Michael Porter, a Professor of Harvard Business School, will take to the stage, as well as Lester Thurow, Professor of Management and Economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and acknowledged as a world expert on the new global economy.

Joining them will be Tom Peters, said to be the 'Ur-guru (super guru) of management'; Alvin Toffler, the world's most influential futurologist; and Frank Maguire, the best-selling author and communications expert who steered programmes for FedEx and American Airlines.

Mohamed Alabbar, Director General of Dubai's Department of Economic Development and a Business Leader in Dubai, will hold a live bi-lateral debate on values-based leadership with Giuliani.

Alongside these global speakers, a number of leaders from Arabia - both business and semi-government sectors - will be on hand to debate issues and strategy.

The event, which is tipped to be the biggest business event in Dubai since Dubai 2003, the Annual Meetings of the Joint Secretariat of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, will be held at the Dubai International Convention Centre on November 29 - 30.

Leaders in Dubai is sponsored by EMAAR, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Citigroup, Shell, Nokia and Visa International. The event's support hotel is The Fairmont, Dubai.

Leading Minds is a company specialising in presenting the latest thoughts and groundbreaking ideas from pre-eminent international business authorities.