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Keynote SpeakerYalda Hakim

Lead World News Presenter

Yalda Hakim is an Australian broadcaster and journalist who has worked for the BBC and Sky News, and whose first run-in with the Taliban came when she was just six months old. She has reported from many war zones, and in 2022 she was nominated for a Peabody Award for... Read more

Watch Yalda Hakim in action

Popular Talks by Yalda Hakim

  • Geopolitics
  • War Zones
  • Women’s Rights
  • Empowerment
  • Inspirational Women
  • Education
  • Afghanistan
  • Human Rights

Biography

Yalda Hakim is an Australian broadcaster and journalist who has worked for the BBC and Sky News, and whose first run-in with the Taliban came when she was just six months old. She has reported from many war zones, and in 2022 she was nominated for a Peabody Award for her film Afghanistan: Documenting a Crucial Year. In 2018 she created the Yalda Hakim Foundation which supports the professional advancement of talented Afghanis.

After fleeing Afghanistan on horseback with her family, Yalda Hakim moved as a refugee to Sydney, growing up in a household where geopolitics and current affairs were openly discussed. She gained work experience on Dateline, the Australian TV show specialising in international documentaries and within ten years was their main presenter. In 2013 Hakim moved to BBC World News and spent a decade as a BBC World presenter and interviewer. She is currently Sky’s lead presenter on their World News channel and fronts the nightly news programme The World with Yalda Hakim.

Yalda Hakim has presented documentaries on people smuggling, the Nepal earthquake, U.S. Presidential elections and Mexican drug cartels. She has also worked as a war reporter in hotspots such as Syria, Iraq and Libya, where she covered the rise and fall of Islamic State. Yalda’s interviewees include former U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikha Hasina, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, Canada’s Justin Trudeau and H. R. McMaster, who served as National Security Advisor to President Trump during his first term.

Yalda is an experienced moderator and has hosted many events including the Nobel Peace Prize Summit, the WEF Forum, the Halifax International Security Forum and the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi. Her eponymous Foundation also provides bursaries allowing young Afghan women to study at prestigious universities including Oxford University, Georgetown University in Doha, Dartmouth and Brown.

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How to book Yalda Hakim as a keynote speaker

How do I book Yalda Hakim for a keynote speech?

You can book Yalda Hakim through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Yalda's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Yalda Hakim's speaking fees?

Yalda Hakim's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Yalda tailored to your event.

What topics does Yalda Hakim speak about?

Yalda Hakim speaks on Facilitators & Moderators, Middle East. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Yalda to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Yalda Hakim available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Yalda Hakim for events worldwide, subject to Yalda's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Yalda Hakim deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Yalda Hakim is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Yalda Hakim?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Yalda can accommodate.

Can Yalda Hakim tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Yalda Hakim on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Yalda can offer.

What languages does Yalda Hakim present in?

Yalda Hakim delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Yalda Hakim a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Yalda Hakim's areas of expertise include Facilitators & Moderators, Middle East. To get a clear sense of Yalda's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Yalda Hakim speak at?

Yalda Hakim can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Facilitators & Moderators, Middle East is relevant. Details of Yalda's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Yalda Hakim offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Yalda Hakim is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Yalda Hakim?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Yalda Hakim, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Yalda's current availability for your dates.