The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has appointed Cathy Feliciano-Chon – a leading brand development and communications expert with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai – and Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Qatar-based developer Msheireb Properties, as co-chairs of its 2023 summit.

For its 17th anniversary, the event will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 6-9 November 2023.

According to the GWS, Qatar is at a pivotal time in its history, in particular, due to its Qatar National Vision 2030 – an intricate investment plan set to help the state become a global leader in sustainability, health and wellness, tourism, sports and culture.

With its recent hosting of the FIFA World Cup, US$220bn (£183.3bn €207.2bn) was spent radically reimagining Qatar’s infrastructure with 150 new hotels and resorts and new smart, sustainable cities, museums, public beaches and green space, subway systems and sports complexes.

“It’s an honour to co-chair this year’s Summit in Qatar at such a transformative time in the country’s history,” said Feliciano-Chon. “In a relatively short time, Qatar has become a formidable tourism destination and an exciting cultural hub underpinned by a deep commitment to sustainable development.

“The annual GWS brings these varied industries and sectors together to address the critical issues of our time.”

Feliciano-Chon is the founder and managing director of CatchOn – A Finn Partners Company, one of Asia’s leading brand communication consultancies in hospitality, travel, wellness, food and design. She is also a GWS Advisory Board member and previously co-chaired the 2019 GWS in Singapore.

Meanwhile, CEO Al Kuwari leads the development and implementation of the strategic and operational plans of Msheireb Properties and Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), to enhance its position as a leading tourist and business destination for work and living.

With 22 years of experience, Al Kuwari has been one of the leading engineers of MDD since its inception. He also led the execution and operations of major facilities at MDD including Mandarin Oriental, Al-Wadi Hotel M Gallery and Park Hyatt, in addition to Zulal Wellness Resort (operated by Chiva-Som).

Msheireb Properties and MDD

The 2023 GWS will be hosted at MDD, a smart and sustainable city district considered to be the signature project of Msheireb Properties – also the host sponsor for the 2023 GWS.

MDD employs a new approach to urban planning by combining traditional methods and modern technology aimed at preserving the environment as well as the cultural identity of Qatar. All buildings are either Gold or Platinum LEED-certified.

As a company, Msheireb Properties’ mission is to change the way people think about urban living and to improve their overall quality of life through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and greater care for the environment.