Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, has just launched ‘Open Talk,’ a monthly series of face-to-face discussions on key issues impacting the UAE and wider region. Al Habtoor, a vocal speaker, prolific and influential writer on the Middle East, invited his social media followers to join him for a regular frank discussion on topical social, political and business issues.
Al Habtoor said he welcomed an open discussion with some of his followers to share thoughts on key topics. “I receive so many comments to my Instagram posts that I thought it would be a good opportunity to engage with people on a more personal level. It is a good opportunity to meet some of my followers in person rather than just through technology.”
In a video message launched on his Instagram account, the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor YouTube Channel and Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Publications website on Wednesday 16 November Al Habtoor invited people to register for the first event, which will take place in December to coincide with National Day. The face-to-face discussion, which will take place at the Al Habtoor Group head office, will be limited to 50 followers. The topic of the first ‘Open Talk’ discussion will be chosen by the audience.
Al Habtoor, who has a reputation for being a forward-thinking, warm and progressive individual, often gives his opinion on local, regional and international issues.
“I feel very strongly about anything that impacts the United Arab Emirates, the region and the entire world,” he said. “If we all put our heads together perhaps we can make a difference.”
He recently published a new book, ‘Is Anybody Listening? How world leaders ignored prescient warnings on the Middle East’. The book outlines how misguided foreign policies have wreaked havoc in the Middle East.