Profile: Dr. Wadad AlSuwayeh

About Dr. Wadad AlSuwayeh : Dr. Wadad AlSuwayeh, CEO and co-creator of the luxurious lifestyle destination OQYANA World First in Dubai, is the first Kuwaiti to obtain a PhD. in Architecture and Urban Planning. Born in Kuwait, a powerful trio of charismatic leadership skills, public relations savvy and innate networking abilities led him to be federally recognized for accomplishments in bridging cultural gaps during the years spent in the United State attending university. This same trio has only been strengthened and tempered throughout a diverse and rich career in architecture. A visiting professor and practitioner of architecture, Dr. Wadad was given the assignment of finding waste management and housing solutions for low-income Arab communities. This work was mostly carried out as a diplomatic affiliate member of UN groups, economic forums and through local government authorities. While a career largely based around garbage and waste may not appeal to most, Dr. Wadad still recollects those days with fondness as, through his work, a voice was given to those who were less fortunate. Dr. Wadad passion and dedication to his work brought him recognition; people believed in the contributions made to Arab communities and he was soon made a founding member of the UN World Assembly of Cities and Local Authorities (WACLAC). As time passed the spheres of influence grew and he was elected Secretary General of World Assembly of Cities, Geneva, Switzerland in 1996, official representative for the Agency of United Nations and Arab Cities representative to UN and Council of Europe between 1995 – 2003 and Deputy Director General, Chief Advisor, to the Arab Towns Organization. He was nominated and elected as Vice-President of Euro-Med Permanent Partnership for Local Authorities, Palermo, Italy and for his contributions he was congratulated for a “job beyond the call of duty” by the Mayors of the World Assembly. Dr. Wadad bring his combined skills in diplomacy, public relations negotiation, personality and knowledge to a new project, the likes of which had never been developed or tried before of what was to become OQYANA World First, a sustainable marine community of 22 islands in Dubai. Always the innovator, Dr. Wadad does not compromise on excellence and he is always driven to search for unconventional ways of achieving a goal, negotiation abilities and leadership skill ever apparent. A favorite quote being “a good carpenter measures twice, and cuts once”, it is a way of life for Dr. Wadad to take the time necessary to make things perfect and avoid failure. It is this persistence and determination that led to Dr. Wadad receiving several honors and awards.