Maldivian Elon Musk’ Honoured at Global Peace Hospitality Summit & Awards 2025
DUBAI — A glittering night of prestige and purpose unfolded at the Global Peace Hospitality Summit & Awards 2025, held at the Hyatt Regency Dubai, where 85 global leaders and institutions were honoured for excellence, ethics, and peace-driven leadership across ten sectors.
Organised by the Global Peace Institute (UK) in partnership with Impact Hub UAE, the gala followed a day of dialogue on sustainable leadership and hospitality’s role in peacebuilding.
Among the evening’s highlights, Hon. FDr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Chairman of Sun Siyam Group (Maldives), received the Golden Sail of Distinction — the highest honour of the Global Peace Institute. Widely celebrated as “the Elon Musk of the Maldives,” Dr. Siyam was recognised for transforming his island nation’s tourism landscape through visionary resorts and sustainable entrepreneurship. A philanthropist, media owner, and the longest-serving Member of Parliament in Maldivian history, he stands as a national symbol of innovation and service. Earlier in the evening, he also received two Lifetime Achievement Awards — for Hospitality & Service Excellence and Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation — cementing his position as the only double awardee of 2025.
The summit’s Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee of the UAE Federal National Council, was also presented with the Golden Sail of Distinction in recognition of his lifelong contribution to peace-led governance, coexistence, and interfaith dialogue. His keynote address earlier in the day underscored the UAE’s commitment to “championing peace as a national principle and global responsibility.”
Additional honours included the Golden Sail of Merit, bestowed upon Prof. Rohan Gunaratna, Chairman of the Global Peace Institute (UK), for his decades-long service to counter-extremism education and global collaboration, and H.E. General Dr. Mohammed Al Shamsi, former Head of the Dubai Police Academy, for his visionary leadership in public safety and institutional development.
Lifetime Achievement Awards also celebrated international pioneers: Dr. Rusudan Bolkvadze (Georgia) for Education & Thought Leadership, Dr. Arsen Gvenetadze (Georgia) for Healthcare & Wellness, H.E. Laila Rahhal El Atfani (UAE) for Women’s Leadership, Mr. Thomas Wuchte (USA) for Peacebuilding & Humanitarian Leadership, and Khaleej Times, represented by CEO Mr. Charles Yardley, for Media & Cultural Influence.
The gala also featured Wings of Harmony fashion showcase by Egyptian designer Nadine Ellithy, celebrating culture and compassion as extensions of peace.
With 200 distinguished guests and delegates from 46 nations, the Dubai event reaffirmed the UAE’s position as a beacon of coexistence and set a global benchmark for service-driven leadership — a night where business, creativity, and humanity converged under one timeless ideal: peace with purpose.
