.Mehriban Aliyeva
Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, the First lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Foundation Heydar Aliyev, was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Oral and Musical Traditions in recognition of her actions to promote traditional music, literature and poetry, and of her role in the promotion of musical education and international cultural exchanges, and her dedication to the Organization’s ideals. Mrs. Aliyeva is also a qualified physician and is actively engaged in the areas of culture, education and sport, via her charitable foundation Friends of Azerbaijan Culture. Mother of three children, she is also Editorial Director of the trilingual journal Azerbaijan - Heritage.

.Alina Kabaeva
A prodigy in rhythmic gymnastics, Alina Kabaeva was born and received her early gymnastics training, from the age of six, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Following her family in its various moves – Alina’s father was a professional football player – she attended a number of different schools in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia. In 1994, she entered the Olympic preparatory school in Moscow, Russia and was coached by Irina Viner. She has since won an amazing number of medals at World and European Championships, at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and in World Cup Series competitions.

.Vahid Mustafayev
Born in Azerbaijan, Vahid Mustafayev began work as a reporter and has since been active in a several different areas. Currently President of the ANS Group, he is a successful businessman and owns a number of the largest companies in Azerbaijan. In 1998 Mr. Mustafayev founded the company VMF; Longines was the first company to begin working with VMF. Apart from his success in business, Mr. Mustafayev is a professional Thai boxer, and recently won the Gold Medal at the International Thai Box Championships.

.Eldar Quliyev
Eldar Quliyev was born in Baku, Azerbaijan and studied at the Moscow State Institute of Cinematography. A well-known film director, screenwriter and teacher in Azerbaijan, Professor Quliyev was awarded the Azerbaijan Republic’s State Awards Laureate, and has been honoured as the People’s Artist of Azerbaijan. Critical commentary on Professor Quliyev’s films has been very positive.

.Bruno Grandi
Bruno Grandi, Commander of the Italian Republic, was awarded the Gold Medal of Merit in Sport on Feb. 12, 2004. A professor, he has both a distinguished academic record and an impressive career in sports. His involvement in gymnastics led to his becoming an accomplished gymnast, a coach, an International and Intercontinental Judge, President of the Italian Gymnastics Federation from 1977 to 2000, Vice President of the European Gymnastics Union from 1982 until 1989, FIG Vice President from 1988 to 1992 and, since July 1996, FIG President.

.Walter von Känel
Walter von Känel is president of Longines and a member of the Extended Management Board of the Swatch Group, the world’s leading watch manufacturer and retailer. He represents the Group on the APHM (as Chairman) and in the Bernese Jura Chamber of Industry and Commerce (as Board member). Walter von Känel has been at Longines for over thirty years. A keen connoisseur and observer of the world of watches, he has authored a number of books detailing the history of the watchmaking areas of Switzerland. He is also a former officer in the Swiss army.