Since its inception in 2003, the Iraq Development Program has played a key role in the commercial development of Iraq, organising its regular summits in order to bring global investors, companies and organisations to meet with the key Iraqi decision makers within a number of key sectors.

An essential aspect of the mandate behind our summits is the fact that they are organised in the best interests of Iraq and its people. In light of the crucial importance of the summit and the critical nature of the energy sector to Iraq's economy and stability, it is essential that the agenda is set by respected Iraqis operating within the sector.

The objectives of the Steering Committee are to ensure that Iraqi nationals have the strongest voice with regard to the summit, including:

Dr Ibrahim Baher Alolom (Chairman of the Committee)

Dr Ibrahim M. Baher Alolom is the son of the Famous Cleric Mohamed Baher Alolom, who comes from a highly respected Family from the holy city of Najaf. Dr Alolom served as Iraqi Minister of Oil from 2003 to June 2004, before being re-elected from May 2005 to December 2005, having been elected as a Member of Parliament in February 2005. Dr Alolom holds a PhD in Petroleum Engineering from New Mexico Tech University in the United States, with diversified experience in petroleum, engineering and oil, gas fields evaluation and development. He has worked as a professional petroleum engineer in Kuwait, the US, UK and Africa. Dr Alolom has published many professional reservoir engineering papers.

Abdul Hafeth Al-Atti

Mr Al-Atti heads the Basra Business Council (BBC). He is a well known business figure in the southern region of Iraq and in particular his hometown of Basra.

Dr Mustafa Fahmi Al-Jarrah

Dr Mustafa Al-Jarrah holds a high-level consultancy post in the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals. He previously worked as Director General of the new petrochemical complex (PC-2) and central refinery projects and also the Director General of the State Company for Passenger Tires and recently the Director General of the State Company for Petrochemicals (PC-1) before moving as Director General of the Minister Advisers office. He has over 29 years experience in the chemicals and petrochemical sectors, following his PhD from the University of Sheffield in 1978. Dr Al-Jarrah holds 15 patents and published over 100 scientific papers in international periodicals and conferences.

Dr Jaffar Dhia Jaffar

Dr Jaffar Dhia Jaffar is considered to be one of the most prominent Iraqi scientists in the international energy sector. His work experience for more than 30 years in various energy projects in Iraq has made him one of the most experienced scientists in the energy sector in the region. Dr Jaffar is currently working with the Uruk Group on various energy projects.

Shamkhi Faraj

Mr Faraj is a retired Director General who has held a number of different posts in the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. Mr Faraj is currently the Chairman of Salam Petroleum Company, a UAE-based company.

Talib Mustafa Khan

Mr Khan is one of the most successful Iraqi businessmen in the UAE and the region. He holds the position of Chairman of the Iraqi Business Council in Abu Dhabi. Mr Khan is also Director General of the Abu Dhabi-based company METCO, Chairman of the Iraq Resources Company in Baghdad and a member of the Board of Directors of the Arab Investors Union.

Dr Shafiq Qazzaz

Dr Qazzaz is a Kurdish academic and politician. He was born in Sulaimanya, Kurdistan and studied at the University of Washington, from which he obtained a PhD in International Relations. He was appointed as a Minister in both the third and forth Kurdish Governments from 1996-2006.

For more information about the summit please visit the dedicated event webpage.