12^th World FZO World Congress

Mr. Wong has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. He has served as General Manager in several Free Trade Zones, including Zona Franca Metropolitana, Global Park, Coyol Free Zone, and currently Evolution Free Zone, in addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of CODE Development Group.

In the public sector, he has held responsibilities within the Costa Rican Free Trade Zone Association and has been involved with CINDE — the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency — serving, among other roles, as Director of the Investment Program and Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific region, based in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Additionally, he has worked as a consultant for the World Bank and as a Professor and Researcher at the Institute of Economic Sciences at the University of Costa Rica.

Regarding his academic background, Mr. Wong holds an MBA in Management from InterAmerican University of Costa Rica (Heredia, Costa Rica), as well as postgraduate studies in International Marketing from Georgetown University. He graduated from the School of Economics at the University of Costa Rica.

He has served on the Boards of Directors of private sector organizations such as AZOFRAS, CPC, Cadexco, UCCAEP, and AZFA.

Esther Corral is the Head for Latin America and the Caribbean at the United Nations Global Compact. She brings over 15 years of experience within the United Nations system, serving in diverse roles across sustainable development and private sector engagement.

Prior to her appointment in June 2023, Esther served as Deputy Representative a.i. at UN Women Brazil (2022–2023). She had previously held the role of Regional Coordinator at the same office (2020–2021) for the multi-country programme “Win-Win: Gender Equality Means Good Business,” an initiative focused on strengthening private sector commitment to gender equality and expanding opportunities for women-led businesses across Latin America.

Earlier, she served as Sustainable Development Goals Adviser at UNEP Brazil (2016–2020) and as Project Coordinator at UN Women Mexico (2015–2016). From 2010 to 2015, Esther held senior roles within the UN Resident Coordinator’s Offices in Guatemala and Mexico, managing joint UN programmes, leading private sector engagement, and overseeing national development reporting.

Before joining the United Nations, Esther worked with an environmental company in France and at the Institute for Water Research at Rhodes University in South Africa. She has also served as a Private Sector Development Specialist at a Spanish company, managing international trade programmes in the Caribbean and MENA regions, and worked as an external evaluator for various international NGOs.

Esther holds a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain), as well as postgraduate studies in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. She is fluent in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and French.

Dr. James Zhan is the Chairman of the Executive Board of the World Investment Conference, WAIPA (Geneva), and concurrently, serves as Chief Advisor to the Chairman of the World Free Zones Organization. He is also a senior Fellow associated with the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), and a member of the fDi Editorial Advisory Board of the Financial Times. 

Dr. Zhan is also the Co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative; and a founding co-Chair of the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones (GASEZ). Dr. Zhan also holds advisory positions at leading academic institutions, including Oxford University, Columbia University, Cornell University, and Fribourg University. Previously, he served as academic advisor to centres at Cambridge University and Geneva University. 

Prior to this, Dr. Zhan served for 15 years (2008 to 2023) as Senior Director of Investment and Enterprise at the United Nations Trade and Development Agency (UNCTAD), as well as Chief Editor of the UN World Investment Report and Transnational Corporation journal. From 2023 to 2024, he was also the Chief Advisor to the Secretary-General of UNCTAD. 

During his tenure at the United Nations, Dr. Zhan provided strategic policy advice to heads of state, ministers, and parliaments across more than 100 developing and developed countries. He led the formulation of the Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (IPFSD), a new generation of investment strategies used by over 150 countries and major regional groupings. Additionally, he founded the World Investment Forum in 2008, leading it to become a premier global platform for investment stakeholders. 

His extensive contributions in advisory roles include serving as a member of the Advisory Council of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). He was also a member of the Global Agenda Councils on Advanced Manufacturing and for Trade & Investment the World Economic Forum. 

Dr. Zhan has published over 150 journal articles and book chapters on investment, trade, technology, sustainable finance, and industrial strategies. He also led the preparation of more than 300 publications and reports for the United Nations (with acknowledgements). His expertise is frequently featured in leading global business and economic media, including The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Financial Times.

Juan Opertti, is a Mechanical Industrial Engineer from Universidad de la República (UDELAR) and holds an MBA from Universidad Católica del Uruguay (UCUDAL). He completed executive training in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, and Port Operations in Antwerp, Belgium.

In the professional and institutional sphere, Juan serves as a Board Member of INALOG (National Institute of Logistics of Uruguay). He was a Board Member of the World Free Zones Organization (2019–2022) and currently serves as Board Member and Vice President of the Association of Free Zones of the Americas (2022–2026). Academically, he is a Full Professor of Operations and Logistics at Universidad ORT Uruguay. He was the promoter and Adjunct Professor of the Logistics Engineering program at UTEC (2016–2024). He has completed all modules of the MIT MicroMasters in Supply Chain Management (2019–2022).

Juan is South America Manager at Katoen Natie. He is also a Board Member of the 3PL free zone company Costa Oriental and Managing Director of the consulting firms Hemisiton and Operal Consultores.

Kelli-Dawn Hamilton is an accomplished executive with deep expertise in policy development, international trade, public relations, and investment facilitation. Since November 2023, she has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), where she leads national efforts to promote industrial development, drive inward investment, and advance Jamaica’s positioning as a competitive global logistics and services hub. 

With almost two decades of leadership in economic development and government strategy, Kelli-Dawn brings a track record of success in mobilizing investments, executing strategic communications, and delivering results across complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. 

Prior to her appointment as CEO, she served as Director of Investor Relations and Communications at the JSEZA, where she was instrumental in crafting investor-facing strategies and facilitating major SEZ developments. Before joining JSEZA, she held several strategic roles at the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), contributing to national programmes in investment promotion, business development, research, and capacity building—particularly within the services sector. 

A certified Services Go Global trainer, Kelli-Dawn has worked extensively to empower Caribbean entrepreneurs and service providers to scale their businesses and access export markets. Her work in project management has supported the design and rollout of key national initiatives across various sectors, from agriculture to business process outsourcing. 

Kelli-Dawn is also actively engaged in public governance and policy formulation, currently serving on the Board of Directors of: 

• The Spectrum Management Authority, which regulates and oversees the use of Jamaica’s radio frequency spectrum; 
• The Jamaica International Financial Services Authority (JIFSA); and 
• The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). 

She holds a Master of Science in Comparative Politics and Political Theory and a Bachelor of Science in International Relations (with a minor in Political Science), both from the University of the West Indies, Mona. 

With her unique blend of policy acumen, strategic foresight, and operational leadership, Kelli-Dawn continues to drive Jamaica’s economic transformation while advocating for inclusive and sustainable development at home and across the region.

Phoenix Group is one of the largest Business conglomerate based out of Hyderabad. It is one of the largest infrastructure developers. As Group Director, he played a very important role in the development of Phoenix Group from the day of its incorporation in the year 2002. He was instrumental in establishing Phoenix as one of the biggest SEZ IT/ITES developers in India. Was also instrumental in receiving the Best Business model Award for Phoenix Group from Government of India. Presently, Phoenix has around seven SEZs. He has done his graduation in Science and Post- Graduation in Management from Osmania University.

The World FZO World Congress 2026 is not designed as a traditional conference. It is a working platform where the next generation of Free Zone models, industrial strategies, and cross-border collaborations are actively shaped.

Sponsorship is therefore an invitation to co-create outcomes, not simply support an event.

As global industries face fragmentation, technological disruption, and sustainability pressures, the Congress serves as a neutral global space where governments, zones, and the private sector collectively test ideas, align priorities, and translate dialogue into action. Sponsors contribute to this process, helping move the conversation from policy to implementation.

By sponsoring the Congress, organizations take part in:

• Shaping real-world frameworksthat influence how Free Zones evolve as engines of industrial growth and innovation.
• Contributing expertise, insight, and leadershipto discussions that inform future regulations, investment models, and development strategies.
• Leaving a tangible legacy, through ideas, partnerships, and initiatives that extend beyond the three days of the Congress.

To support this collaborative approach, the Congress offers a range of sponsorship categories and exhibitor opportunities, allowing organizations to engage at different strategic levels.

World Congress 2026 is about building shared answers to shared challenges, how industries will locate, operate, decarbonize, digitise, and scale in the years ahead. Sponsors are not positioned on the sidelines but embedded in the process of defining these answers.

For more details or any inquiries related to sponsorship, please contact Talha Khan at Talha.khan@worldfzo.org.