On Thursday 15 October 2009, H.E Dr Sami Khiyami, Syrian Ambassador to the UK, spoke on ‘Syria: Cornerstone of a New Regional Context’ .
H.E Dr Sami Khiyami presented a timely analysis on Syria and its role as a key player in the Middle East. Situated in the crux of a region that continues to be a focus of world affairs, Syria’s increasing regional diplomatic initiatives and relations with its neighbours are significant to future stability. In a 30 minute lecture, H.E Dr Sami Khiyami discssed the prospects of a regional understanding between Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq and the impact this will have on shaping the geo-political and economic landscape of the region. A 30-45 minute question and answer session followed the lecture.
H.E Dr Sami Khiyami worked as a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Damascus and became Acting Director of HIAST, the National Research Centre in Syria. He was a co-founder of the Syrian Computer Society and was a board member of several prestigious Syrian institutions including the Syrian European University, Syrian Arab Airlines and Areeba GSM Operator. Ambassador Khiyami worked as a National Telecom and Technology Consultant for Systems International, the leading software group in Syria and he played an essential role in introducing microprocessor design techniques to the electronic industry in Syria. He also worked as a project manager for the design and implementation of large software and computer based projects in Syria and prepared a number of proposals for large technology projects in the framework of collaboration between the Syrian Government and UNDP/UNESCO/Rostas/UNESCWA and the European Union. Ambassador Khiyami was Chief Negotiator for the Syrian-EU Association Agreement and has also made contributions and produced papers for many scientific, political and economic reviews, newspapers, seminars and computer conferences. Dr Sami Khiyami was appointed as Syrian Ambassador to the United Kingdom on 17 November 2004.
This meeting was chaired by Dr Mamoun Fandy, Senior Fellow for Gulf Security and took place in the Lee Kuan Yew Conference Room at Arundel House, 13-15 Arundel Street, Temple Place, London WC2R 3DX.
