AAS 2023 SPEAKERS

HH Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum
FAMILY HISTORY BACKGROUND
Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum is a prominent member of
the Emirati society. She belongs to one of the significant UAE’s ruling family, which
is Al Maktoum family, to which the rulers of Dubai belong and led by His Highness
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the United Arab Emirates Vice
President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikha Mozah’s grandfather on her mother’s side was the late His Highness
Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the brother of the ruler of Dubai, His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, who promoted the remarkable and
innovative development of the recent decades.
This peaceful and prosperous country, with its wise and visionary leadership, has
continually impressed the world with radical achievements, multicultural tolerance,
robust economy, and contributions on significant global platforms.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid is widely credited for his farsighted and powerful
outstanding leadership, which has contributed to the remarkable growth, stability,
and prosperity – not only of Dubai but, indeed, of the UAE and even the gulf region
– and it is on a clear journey to become one of the best countries in the world.
BIO
Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum achievements are just as
impressive as her family lineage.
The youngest in her class at the Oxford Aviation, she was only 17 when she was
admitted. She obtained her commercial pilot licence first and then later joined the
Dubai Police Airwing as first lieutenant pilot, becoming the first woman in the UAE
and the Gulf Region, and the first member of the Royal Family in aviation. She holds
a Bachelor Degree in Air Transport Management from Coventry University, UK, and
Emirates Aviation University.
Her ambitions are only matched by her determination to create a legacy of her own,
opening doors and enabling other women to enter a career in aviation.
With this mission in mind, she set in motion the establishment of “Shehana”, the
Women in Aviation Association, with the sole purpose to create opportunities and a
framework for increasing the number of women joining the aviation sector.
Her motto is: “Reach altitude with the right attitude”.

HE. Ilin Dimitrov
Minister of TourismRepublic of Bulgaria
Ilin Dimitrov was born in 1983. He completed his secondary education at the "Geo Milev" German language high school in Dobrich.
He holds 3 bachelor's degrees from various universities and colleges (in hotel and restaurant management, business administration, marketing and management), a master's degree ("Business Administration") and a PHD in Tourism.
He has been working in the tourism sector since 2000, having passed through various positions. In the period 2020-2021, he is the chairman of the Varna Tourist Chamber.
A teacher for 11 years at the College of Tourism-Varna and director of the "Careers, Marketing and Entrepreneurship" center at University of Economics -Varna. From 2008 to 2021, he was engaged in entrepreneurial activity in parallel.
In the 47th National Assembly, he is the chairman of the permanent Commission on Tourism.
Appointed Acting Minister of Tourism from 2 August 2022.