Jordan Times
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
More than 1,300
participants confirm attendance at WEF
By Rami Abdelrahman
AMMAN — More than 1,300 participants have
confirmed their attendance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Dead Sea 2005,
which will take place this weekend.
According to Finance Minister Bassem Awadallah, who is in charge of the WEF
portfolio, the list of participants includes key politicians and businessmen
from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, EU and the US.
Over three days, attendees will engage in discussing a wide spectrum of topics
under the theme “seizing the moment,” he said.
Topics will focus on key issues affecting the Middle East including the
situations in Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon.
Main sessions will focus on building peace and stability in the region, reform,
competitiveness, water security, education, economic growth, women, media, oil,
technology, global nuclear risks, infrastructure, microfinance, small-and
medium-sized businesses, and international cooperation.
Awadallah added that during the summit, several initiatives and agreements,
regarding the Red-Dead canal, qualifying industrial zones, education in the Arab
world, as well as the announcement of large-size investments in Jordan and a
Palestinian-Israeli initiative will be put in place.
The meeting will be co-chaired by Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman and chief
executive officer of Nestle - Switzerland, Brian C. Bruce, group chief executive
of Murray & Roberts Holdings - South Africa, Victor L. L. Chu, chairman and
chief executive officer of First Eastern Investment Group- Hong Kong, Ibrahim
Dabdoub, chief executive officer of National Bank of Kuwait, Maurice Levy,
chairman and chief executive officer of Publicis Group - France, Marilyn C.
Nelson, chair and chief executive officer of Carlson Companies - USA, and Lubna
Olayan, chief executive officer of Olayan Financing Company - Saudi Arabia
The summit will be preceded by a meeting of Arab and Group of Eight education
ministers who will draft a strategic plan for improving education in the Arab
world and will be followed by a meeting of Nobel prize winners in Petra who will
gather to discuss key issues affecting the world.