On Monday, 20 April 2026, the Australian Business Summit Council Inc. hosted its Media Conference and Dinner at Aqua Luna Waterfront Dining with almost one hundred and seventy attendees for an evening that exemplified the strength of Australia’s global business, trade and investment dialogue and engagement.
The prestigious event attracted a high-level gathering of VIPS and guests, featuring H.E. Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban (Ambassador of Thailand); H.E. Mr. Diego Felipe Cadena Montenegro (Ambassador of Colombia); and Ms. Doris Adzo Denyo Brese (High Commissioner of Ghana); along with consuls general and senior representatives from China, Egypt, Malta, Poland, Romania, Ghana, South Korea, Somalia, Turkey and Pakistan, as well as eminent local business figures, including Dr. Joseph Rizk AM (CEO / Managing Director, Arab Bank Australia Ltd) and entrepreneur Mr. Garry Simonian, plus academics, industry professionals and members of the multicultural media.
ABSC Inc. President Dr. Frank Alafaci PhD depicted the evening as both a celebration and a preview—celebrating the relationships built through the Council’s ongoing work, and previewing the upcoming seventh issue of EKONOMOS, its flagship business affairs magazine, emphasising that the Australian Business Summit Council Inc. is not simply an organisation, but a platform for engagement where diplomacy meets enterprise, ideas are exchanged with purpose, and partnerships are formed with a long-term vision.
Its centrepiece was the promotion of EKONOMOS, Issue 7, 2026 which continues to position itself as a meeting point of global perspectives, bringing together contributions from twenty-eight distinguished authors spanning diplomacy, business, academia and government, including ambassadors, high commissioners and leading industry figures whose insights reflect a shared commitment to enhancing international trade and investment.
The official program for the evening focussed on three keynote addresses that provided valuable insights into global economic engagement. Ambassador Ms. Arjaree Sriratanaban spoke on the importance of deepening trade and investment ties between Thailand and Australia, highlighting opportunities for collaboration across key sectors. Ambassador Mr. Diego Felipe Cadena Montenegro followed with a perspective on Colombia’s expanding international engagement, underscoring the important role of multilateral cooperation and sustainable development in advancing global partnerships. Entrepreneur Mr. Garry Simonian delivered a poignant monologue exploring the transformative impact of digital innovation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on international business and trade systems.
These keynote presentations were complemented by a one-hour interactive panel discussion moderated by the ABSC Inc. President Dr. Frank Alafaci PhD, which brought together the speakers to address key issues relating to business, trade and investment, and encouraged audience participation, creating a vibrant and inclusive exchange of ideas that reflected the diversity and expertise of those in attendance, while maintaining a clear focus on constructive, non-political dialogue.
Importantly, the success of the Media Conference and Dinner was supported by the generous contribution of sponsors, including Alliance Project Group; Arab Bank Australia Ltd; Symphonic Management Consulting; Trade Window; Serenade Leather; Blue River Wines; EZ Marketing Australia; and DRS ABCD First Aid Training, whose involvement reflects their industry confidence in the mission of the Australian Business Summit Council Inc.
In concluding the evening, the ABSC Inc. President Dr. Frank Alafaci PhD extended his sincere appreciation to the Council’s Board of Directors and acknowledged the collective effort required to deliver an occasion of such scale and quality, paying special tribute to the ABSC Inc. Secretary Mrs. Sylvia Alafaci for her leadership in organising the Media Conference and Dinner, from venue selection and table arrangements to overall coordination, as well as to the Aqua Luna events team led by Ms. Anna Finini for their professionalism and support.
The 2026 ABSC Inc. Media Conference and Dinner demonstrated once again the important role in bringing together leaders from diplomacy, business and the wider community to strengthen international relationships and promote Australia as a globally connected and outward-looking economy. With strong momentum generated by this unforgettable event, anticipation now turns to the ABSC Inc. Annual Gala Dinner on 29 May 2026, where EKONOMOS, Issue 7, 2026 will be formally launched, continuing the Council’s efforts to connect Australia to the world.
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