Sanctions, Anti-Corruption and Export Controls Compliance in the Middle East Conference, 20 – 21 May 2026, Dubai, UAE
Sanctions, Anti-Corruption and Export Controls Compliance in the Middle East Conference, 20 – 21 May 2026, Dubai, UAE
The US, UK, EU and now China have far reaching export controls, sanctions and anti-corruption initiatives, match this with local regulations and you have a perfect storm of compliance to navigate through. Our annual Sanctions, Anti-Corruption & Export Controls Compliance in the Middle East conference (SACEC) is the one place where you, as a local compliance specialist, can find a way through.
The US, UK, EU and now China have far reaching export controls, sanctions and anti-corruption initiatives, match this with local regulations and you have a perfect storm of compliance to navigate through. Our annual Sanctions, Anti-Corruption & Export Controls Compliance in the Middle East conference (SACEC) is the one place where you, as a local compliance specialist, can find a way through.
‘Culture beats Compliance’ is well known maxim but carries no weight with Regulators. So how do you not only build leading compliance programs but also ensure their take up and the buy in of the workforce ? Best Practice is commonly called for but does one size fit all ? How can you ensure you are compliant with conflicting American & Chinese regulations at the same time as ensuring local regulations are adhered too?
This conference has been produced with you the compliance specialist ‘on the ground’ in mind. It is designed to allow you to learn from your peers and benchmark your program with not only the global leaders but also with local prominent companies. This is the must attend conference in the region where you will meet eminent speakers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia as well as other GCC and leading global specialists, we look forward to meeting you.
- Mr. Ian Moolman, Compliance Professional, Metals Manufacturing Company
- Mr. Sergey Konov, Regional Compliance & Integrity Office IMETA, Boehringer Ingelheim
- Mr. Gurjeevan Sidhu, Director – Group Ethics and Compliance, e&
- Ms. Barbara Linney, Partner & Co-Leader, International Trade Practice Team, Baker & Hostetler
- Mr. Shahab Wahdatehagh, Vice President, Global Trade Intelligence – EMEA & AP, Descartes
- Ms. Katie Whang, Senior Legal Counsel, Johnson & Johnson
- Ms. Asel Neutze, Assistant General Counsel, Compliance & Ethics, Microsoft
- Mr. Elvis Angyiembe, Global Head of Investigations, ABB Electrification
- Ms. Natalia Ermakova, Senior Sanctions Compliance Manager, DP World
- Mr. Suresh Joseph, Regional Head of Export Control Africa & Middle East, Airbus
- Mr. Felipe Villasuso Lago, PhD candidate, London South Bank and Compliance Officer, AIQ Artificial Intelligence
- Mr. Mohamad Jaber, Chief Sanctions Officer and Head of Legal – Greater Gulf, Sanofi
- Mr. Nigel Benstead, Chief International Compliance Officer, PepsiCo
- Mr. Zaur Allahverdizade, Compliance Director – EUROPE, SSA, MENATI & CIS regions, Baker Hughes
- Mr. Ricardo Weffer, Group Ethics and Compliance Head, Al Dahra
Should you wish to join our esteemed speaker panel at this event, please contact Miss Isra Mahmoud on isra.mahmoud@nielsonsmith.com
Day One
08:15 – 09:00 Registration opens with early morning refreshments
09:00 – 09:20 Chairman’s welcome, opening address & introductions
09:20 – 10:10 UAE Export Controls: Regulatory Expectations, Licensing Practice & Enforcement Risk
10:10 – 11:10 Sanctions Evasion Typologies in Shipping, Aviation & Free‑Zones: A Technical Detection Playbook
11:10 – 11:35 Morning refreshments and networking
11:35 – 12:25 The Intersection of Human Rights & Sanctions Regimes
12:25 – 13:40 Networking lunch
13:40 – 14:25 Freight Forwarding Under the Sanctions Spotlight: Enforcement Lessons and Practical Controls
14:25 – 15:10 Bribery, Silence & Trade Risk: Why Speaking Up Is a Core Compliance Control
15:10 – 15:35 Afternoon refreshments and networking
15:35 – 16:25 Algorithmic Compliance at Scale: Real-Time Intelligence for Sanctions, AML, and Counterparty Risk in High-Growth Markets
16:25 – 17:25 Panel Discussion: AI, Automation & Accountability
17:25 – 17:30 Chairman’s closing remarks
17:30 – 18:30 Conference Drinks reception
Day Two
08:30 – 08:55 Early morning refreshments and networking
08:55 – 09:00 Chairman’s opening remarks
09:00 – 10:00 Sanctions v Growth: Defining Risk Appetite in an Everchanging Geopolitical Climate
10:00 – 11:00 Extraterritorial Jurisdiction of US Export Controls and Requirements in the UAE Technology Sector
11:00 – 11:30 Morning refreshments and networking
11:30 – 12:30 The Geopolitical Domino Effect: How Regional Conflict Rewires Your Bribery and Fraud Risks
12:10 – 13:45 Networking lunch
13:45 – 15:00 Panel Discussion: When Compliance Fails: Lessons from Sanctions, ABAC & Export‑Control Breaches in the Middle East
15:00 – 15:20 Afternoon refreshments and networking
15:20 – 16:30 Interactive Roundtables on topics brought up by delegates (Round table topics to be chosen by the Speakers & Delegates from questions and answers during the presentations. An opportunity to talk informally peer to peer.)
16:30 – 16:35 Chairman’s remarks
End of Conference
If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please contact Miss Isra Mahmoud on isra.mahmoud@nielsonsmith.com
BakerHostetler, one of the nation’s largest law firms, represents clients around the globe. With offices coast to coast, our nearly 1,000 attorneys litigate cases and resolve disputes that potentially threaten clients’ competitiveness, navigate the laws and regulations that shape the global economy, and help clients develop and close deals that fuel their strategic growth. We have six core practice groups: Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Litigation (which includes our International Trade and National Security Team), and Tax. Within these groups are several large specialty practices, including antitrust, bankruptcy, healthcare, energy, middle market mergers and acquisitions, complex commercial litigation, data privacy and security, patent prosecution, and international tax. Our attorneys have broad knowledge and experience in many industries, including aerospace and defense, energy, media, manufacturing, healthcare, financial services and insurance, consumer products, and hospitality. We distinguish ourselves through our commitment to the highest standard of client care. By emphasizing an approach to service delivery as exacting as our legal work, we are determined to surpass our clients’ expectations.
SaaSgility is an international trade compliance advisory firm specializing in compliance strategy, SaaS technology solutions, and training. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, with associate partner advisory teams across the US and Canada, SaaSgility brings global perspective with strong regional expertise.
Our alliance ecosystem includes US President’s “E” Award–winning partners and professionals who established the trade consulting group for a leading global logistics company. Collectively, our experienced team has guided over 1,000 companies across industries such as Aerospace & Defense, Technology, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, and Life Sciences, building robust, scalable compliance frameworks.
The firm is led by Rajesh Rizwani, who brings 15+ years of experience spanning Big 4 advisory, enterprise SaaS sales, and compliance consulting. Rajesh has a hands-on understanding of end-to-end trade compliance process automation, having worked extensively with SaaS solutions for screening, classification, licensing, and global trade process orchestration.
The Middle East & Africa Compliance Association (MEACA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven professional body committed to advancing transparency, accountability, and ethical governance across both public and private sectors in the Middle East and Africa. Established to address the growing need for structured compliance frameworks in the region, MEACA serves as a central hub for compliance professionals, offering resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy to promote integrity in business practices.
Mission and Vision:
- Vision: To be the leading professional association in the Middle East and Africa, promoting transparency, accountability, and a culture of integrity in both private and public sectors.
- Mission: To empower compliance professionals with the skills, resources, and knowledge to be effective ambassadors of goodwill within their respective companies and communities. MEACA seeks to foster and nurture a business context where good governance, adherence to laws, ethics, and transparency are the international norm, not the exception.
Core Activities:
- Professional Development: MEACA offers training programs, workshops, and seminars aimed at enhancing the competencies of compliance professionals.
- Networking Opportunities: The association organizes events and conferences to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices among professionals in the field.
- Advocacy and Thought Leadership: MEACA engages with policymakers and industry leaders to advocate for robust compliance standards and ethical business practices.
- Mentorship Programs: Committed to nurturing the next generation of compliance professionals, MEACA provides mentorship opportunities to guide and support emerging talent in the industry
Through these initiatives, MEACA aims to build a resilient compliance culture that supports sustainable economic growth and enhances the global reputation of the Middle East and Africa as regions committed to ethical business conduct.
Should you wish to become our Partner at this event, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@nielsonsmith.com
Full 2-Day Conference Ticket Price for 1 person – 999 USD
Including the Company-wide Post-Event Microsite license for 1 year
*15% off price for MEACA members
Please note, we will not charge VAT on this price. The price includes all sessions, lunch, refreshments and available documentation. Please contact us for Group Booking Discounts. Please note: “Vendor” companies may attend as sponsors only.
Conference Venue
Marasi Dr – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Accommodation Allotment
Preferential rate: 785.00 AED per night, the room rate is subject to taxes and inclusive of breakfast on single occupancy.
Date of Arrival: 19/05/2026
Departure: 21/05/2026
Reservation Link: Book your group rate for Nielson Smith May 2026
Information
Delegate tickets are for in-house participants only. Compliance vendors may only attend by becoming a sponsor, please request a prospectus via the button below. Vendors purchasing tickets will not gain access to the event and will receive only a 70% refund.
