Mr. Suleymanov is an international development expert and impact investor, specializing in industrial transition, infrastructure, and fintech. With a proven track record in transformational strategies and new business models, he is a recognized expert in governance and institutional reform.

Mr. Suleymanov is the Executive Director of S3, dedicated to investing in scaling up clean technologies in heavy industry and Oil & Gas, and EsyaSoft, offering integrated solutions for energy transition around the world, both companies under the UAE’s International Holding Company (IHC). He serves in the boards and as strategy advisor for industrial circularity and blockchain companies.

Mr. Suleymanov was responsible for designing and delivering the Finance Agenda of COP28 Presidency. This included the creation of the world’s largest dedicated climate investor, Alterra, with mechanisms to incentivize EMDE investments, building ‘best-in-class’ jurisdiction for sustainability finance in the UAE, and a Leader’s Declaration on new Global Finance Framework.

Mr. Suleymanov served as a Senior Advisor to the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund on corporate strategy, climate finance, and digital currency and payment systems. Prior to that, he had a successful career at the World Bank, leading large number of lending operations, focusing on infrastructure finance and PPPs, managing country programs, and leading Governance and Board Reforms. As Strategy Director, he led preparation of the “Forward Look: 2030 Vision for the World Bank Group” and was responsible for the Agile Bank initiative designed to enable ‘culture change’ to improve effectiveness of the institution and promote innovation. He finished his career at the World Bank as a Deputy to the Chief Executive Officer, leading initiatives critical for operationalizing strategic priorities.

Throughout his career, Mr. Suleymanov led and advised on creation of special facilities, including Alterra, Sovereign Wealth Funds, investment vehicles such as Women Entrepreneurship Fund, and various PPPs. He led transformative strategy effort at country, sector, and corporate levels.

Mr. Suleymanov is chairing the Boards of two philanthropic Foundations. He holds an MBA from George Washington University and a B.S. from Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service.