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AME Info
May 2, 2005
The World Economic Forum said today that it hopes its meeting in
Jordan on 20-22 May will act as a platform to help leaders focus
efforts to capitalize upon the current climate of change and
opportunity in the region.
Held under the theme ‘Seizing the Moment’, leaders from
business, politics and civil society will be challenged to
respond to popular demands for improvement in their daily lives
through wider political participation, improved economic
opportunities, and greater peace and stability throughout the
region. Experts and political leaders will provide a window on
Iraq and the Palestinian territories some 100 days after their
elections. Citizens in countries such as Lebanon, Egypt and
Kuwait are making their voices heard and demanding a better
future. Elections in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the Palestinian
territories have already marked the region’s political
landscape. The re-emergence of Libya, advancing economic reforms
and sustained oil prices promise to generate interesting
business opportunities. Iran, Syria and Lebanon, and their
relations with the United States, will be high on the agenda.
Participants at the World
Economic Forum’s third meeting in Jordan will examine the latest
developments in the peace process and build international
support for the next steps. The programme will also engage
regional players with the wider world on the issues of
international terrorism and nuclear proliferation. The programme
of the meeting will touch upon the following sub-themes:
Driving Economic Growth -
the vital role of the private sectors to play in the future of
the region through creating jobs, spurring economic development
and reducing dependence on natural resources. Issues such as
regulatory reform, project financing, trade liberalization and
the integration of capital markets with a special focus on
banking, infrastructure, tourism and energy, and growing links
with Asia will be tackled.
Fostering Peace and Security - the interlinked nature of
regional and global politics which influences the prospects for
peace and stability in the region. The meeting will take a
multistakeholder approach to these issues, convening political
leaders from the region and beyond along with representatives of
the private sector and civil society.
The Middle East and the World - the position of the
Middle East in its relations with the rest of the world in 2005
and how the Middle East can communicate a positive ‘brand’ to
the world.
The Reform Agenda - evidence to support a broad spectrum
of reforms in pursuit of greater transparency, openness and
development, and the need to create 80 million jobs by 2020 to
account for young and growing populations.
Society and Change - the importance of culture, the role
of young leaders and entrepreneurs, the role of the media,
prospects for modernizing education and the place of women in
society.
“Creative thinkers throughout our societies have the power to
transform lives around the globe. It is up to us to open minds
and lives to the promise that our century offers. Together - in
the classroom, in the workplace and in the halls of government -
we can make the promise real,” said H.M. King Abdullah II
Ibn Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
‘Reform in the Middle East is not an option, it is a necessity.
The World Economic Forum in Jordan 2005 will be an opportunity
for all those who want to bring about real and sustained changes
in business, government and civil society. Without such reform,
the Arab world faces the prospect of not only missing out on the
advantages of playing a full role in a vibrant world economy but
also failing to develop the true potential of its young and
growing population,’ said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive
Chairman, World Economic Forum.
Co-chairs of the World Economic Forum in Jordan 2005 are:
• Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Nestlé, Switzerland
• Brian C. Bruce, Group Chief Executive, Murray & Roberts
Holdings, South Africa
• Victor L. L. Chu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, First
Eastern Investment Group, Hong Kong SAR
• Ibrahim S. Dabdoub, Chief Executive Officer, National Bank of
Kuwait, Kuwait
• Maurice Lévy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Publicis
Group, France
• Marilyn C. Nelson, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Carlson
Companies, USA
• Lubna S. Olayan, Chief Executive Officer, Olayan Financing
Company, Saudi Arabia |
