Talal Abu-Ghazaleh
Talal Abu-Ghazaleh (Arabic: طلال أبوغزاله) is the chairman and founder of the international Jordan-based organisation, the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org). Dubbed as the godfather of Arab accounting, Abu-Ghazaleh has also been credited for promoting the significance of Intellectual Property in the Arab region.[1]
Biography
Born on April 22, 1938 in Jaffa, Palestine, Abu-Ghazaleh eventually moved to the Lebanese village of Ghaziyeh.
Whilst still an undergraduate, he worked as a teacher and translator. His first job after graduating was in an audit firm.
In 1969, upon hearing a speech on intellectual property (IP) at a Time-Warner conference in San Francisco, USA, Abu-Ghazaleh decided to launch a career in the fields of Intellectual property rights (IPRs) and accounting.
In 1972, two firms - Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Company (TAGCO) and Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) - were set up, specializing in the fields of accounting and IP respectively. Since then, Abu-Ghazaleh founded a total of fourteen professional service firms specialized in various sector fields such as management, consulting, legal services, IT and much more.
Over the years, Abu-Ghazaleh managed to establish close partnerships with global organizations such as the UN and the WTO.
On April 4, 2007, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon appointed Abu-Ghazaleh, as deputy chairman of the UN Global Compact during its second meeting held at the UN headquarters in New York. [2]
On October 24, 2007, Abu-Ghazaleh was inducted to the IP Hall of Fame in Chicago, USA, to become the first expert from outside the G8 countries to join the world's most prominent figures in IP.[3]
On June 17, 2009, UN appoints Abu-Ghazaleh Chair of UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development. After receiving a letter from the Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) HE Sha Zukang inviting him to lead the Alliance, composed of representatives from public, private and civil society sectors as well as international organizations.[4]
On November 25, 2010, HE Senator Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman and CEO of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) was appointed a member of the Upper House according to a Royal Decree by His Majesty King Abdullah II . [5]
Selected Honors
- Abu-Ghazaleh Social Responsibility Awards launched by CSR Regional Network for his efforts in social initiatives, Kingdom of Bahrain (2014)
- Member of the WTO Panel on Defining the Future of Trade, Geneva, 2012.
- The Arab Award for Media Creativity from the Arab Media Forum, Kuwait-2012.
- Member of the Upper House, Amman, Jordan, (2010-2011).a
- Man of the Year Award from Palestine International Institute, Amman, 2012.
- Honorary Award, The Arab Federation for the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (AFPIPR), Jordan, 2009.
- The International Lifetime Achievement Award, Dubai, UAE, 2008.
- IP Hall of Fame Inductee, IP Hall of Fame Academy, Chicago, USA, 2007.
- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Canisius College, New York, USA, 1988.
- Decoration of the Republic of Tunisia, 1985.
- Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, France, 1985.
- Coat of Arms of the Kuwaiti Association of Accountants and Auditors, 1983.
- Gold Mercury International Award, Bahrain, 1978.
- Decoration of Independence of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Jordan 1967.[6]
Selected Chairmanships
- Jordanian National Orchestra Association – JOrchestra (2014). [7]
- Aֺrab Economic Charter Task Force, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2013).
- Cֺhinese Arab Economic and Cultural Forum, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2013).
- Dֺrama Critic Forum, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2013).
- Chairman, Arab Coalition of Services, Doha, 2012
- Chair, Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID), New York – USA 2009-2010).
- Chairman, The Afro-Asian Knowledge Society Council- Egypt (2009).
- Chairman, Encyclopedia of Excellence and Civilization Committee, Riyadh – KSA (2008).
- Vice Chairman Board of Directors, UN Global Compact, New York – USA (2007–2008).
- Deputy Chair, Evian Group Governing Body, Geneva – Switzerland (2006–present).
- Chair, Evian Group-Arab Region (EGAR) (2006–2009).
- Vice-Chair, Global Alliance for ICT and Development, New York – USA (2006–present).
- Chairman, Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),Paris - France (2006–2008).
- Chairman, Board of Trustees, Perspective Europe, Paris – France (2005–2007).
- President, Arab Intellectual Property Meditation Society (AIPMAS), Amman-Jordan (2003–present).
- Chairman, Advisory Committee on Internet Governance, United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force (UN ICT TF), New York – USA (2003–2004).
- Chairman, The International Chamber of Commerce Task Force (ICC TF) on Internet Governance, Paris – France(2003–2004).
- Chair, Commission on E-Business, Information Technologies and Telecoms, International Chamber of Commerce(ICC), Paris – France (2001–2008).
- Vice-Chair, United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force (UN ICT TF), New York – USA (2001–2004).
- Chairman, The Arab Regional Network of the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force (UN ICT TF), New York – USA (2001–2004).
- Chairman, The Working Group on Human Resources and Capacity Building (HRCB) of the United Nations Information and Communications Technologies, (UN ICT TF), New York – USA (2001–2002).
- First chairman of the Arab Internet Names Consortium (AINC), Amman- Jordan, (2001).
- Chairman of the Founders Meeting of the Arab Internet Names Consortium (AINC), Amman- Jordan (2001).
- President, Licensing Executives Society-Arab Countries (LES-AC), Amman-Jordan (1998–present).
- Chairman, U.N. Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR), New York – USA (1995–1996).
- Chairman, United Nations Committee of Experts on Professional Qualifications Standards, Geneva (1995–1998).
- Chairman of the Committee for the Newly Industrialized and Developing Countries Affairs, the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) (1989–1992).
- President, Arab Knowledge and Management Society (AKMS), New York – USA (1989–present).
- President, Arab Society for Intellectual Property (ASIP), Munich (1987–present); in consultative status to the World Intellectual Property Organization, (WIPO).
- President, Arab Society for Certified Accountants (ASCA), London (1985–present); in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, (ECOSOC).[8]
Selected Board Memberships
- Member of the Advisory Board of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, the United Arab Emirates (2014) [9]
- Member of Bretton Woods Committee, the United States (2014)
- Global Social Responsibility Ambassador of CSR Regional Network, Kingdom of Bahrain (2014)
- A Royal Commission to enhance integrity system, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (since 2013).
- Council on Arab Relations with Latin America and the Caribbean (CARLAC), the UAE (2013).
- World Trade Organization (WTO) Panel on Defining the Future of Trade, Switzerland (since 2012).
- Festival of Thinkers, the UAE (since 2011).
- International Advisory Board, University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain (2010-2011).
- International Advisory, E-City for King Hamad Ibn Isa Al Khalifa, Kingdom of Bahrain (2009).
- President of the Board of Directors, Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN) (2010-2012)
- Senator, Jordanian Upper House, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2010-2011).
- Chair, United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID), New York, USA (2009-2010).
- Vice-Chair, United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development, New York, USA (2006-2009).
- Chairman, the Afro-Asian Knowledge Society Council, Egypt (2009).
- Chairman, Encyclopedia of Excellence and Civilization Committee, Riyadh, KSA (2008).
- Board of Directors, UN Global Compact, New York, USA (2006–2008).
- Advisory Board, Evian Group, Geneva, Switzerland (2005–Present).
- Chair, Evian Group-Arab Region (EGAR) (2006- 2009).
- Honorary Board Membership, Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization (2008).
- Executive Board, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris- France (2007–2009).
- Board of Trustees, Arab Anti Corruption Organization (2007–Present).
- Board of Directors, King Hussein Foundation, Washington, USA (2005–Present).
- The International Consultative Board, the World Coalition, New York, USA (2005).
- Board of Directors, World Links Arab Countries Advisory Council, (2004–2005).
- Public Sector Consultative Group, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), New York-USA (2003–2006)
- Board of Trustees, King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), Amman, Jordan (2003–2006)
- Board of Trustees, National Music Conservatory (NMC), Amman, Jordan (2003–2005).
- Board of Directors, World Links Worldwide, Washington, USA (2003–2004).
- Knowledge Economy Community, Development Gateway, World Bank, Washington, USA (2002–2005).
- Advisory Board, United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force (UN ICT TF), New York, USA (2001–2004).
- Advisory Board, Industry Advisory Commission, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva, Switzerland (1999–2000).
- Board of Advisors, Middle East Council of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), Washington, USA (1995–1997).
- Member of the Board, International Federation of Accountants Council (IFAC), New York, USA (1992).
- Member of the Board, International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC), London, United Kingdom, (1988–1990).
- Member of the Board, International Auditing Practices Committee (IAPC) of IFAC, New York, USA (1987–1990).
- Board of Governors, Keck Center for International Strategic Studies, Claremont, California, USA (1985–1988).
- Board of Trustees, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (1980–1982).[10]
Music Patronages
- Patron, The Second Modernity: The Artistic Collaboration of Fairuz and Ziad Rahbani Conference, Anis Makdisi Program in Literature, American University in Beirut (AUB), Lebanon (2006).
- Patron, Walid Gholmieh Symphonies (2006).
- Patron, L’Association pour le Rayonnement de l’Opéra National de Paris (AROP) (2004–present).
- Patron, Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO) (2003–present).
- Board of Trustees and Chair, National Music Conservatory (NMC), Amman, Jordan (2003–2005).
- Private Concert by Ramzy Yassa & Ghada Ghanem Concert, Cambridge, UK (2004).
- Patron, l'Opéra de Paris, France (2001–present).
- Private concert by the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria (2000).
- 28th General Assembly for the International Music Council, Petra, (Jordan) (September 1999).
- TAGO Golden Jubilee concert, London, UK (July 1997).
- Private concert by Ramzi Yassa, Seattle, USA (1994).
- Patron, Freunde der Salzburger Festspâele, Salzburg, Austria (1976–present).
Initiatives and Publications
- Designed and produced TAGI TOP, Top of the line Laptop capability with Netbook portability.
- Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Society is one of the leading initiatives by HE Senator Talal Abu-Ghazaleh which empowers the Arab youth as part of TAG-Org’s corporate responsibility.
- Dictionaries:
References
External links
- Mr.Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Personal Website
- Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization Website
- Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Vice Chairman of the ICT Task Force.
- Jordan Business Magazine Interview with Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh (The Grass is Greener ... On Both sides).
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