Geneva, Switzerland, 17 October 2011 – Recent shifts in the Arab
world, coupled with an economic contraction at the global level, have
created renewed urgency for decision-makers across the region to
address the unfolding economic situation. Responding to this
still-evolving landscape, the World Economic Forum will hold a Special
Meeting on Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Arab World in
Jordan from 21 to 23 October.
“Job creation has emerged as the key imperative in the Arab World,”
said Børge Brende, Managing Director, Government Relations and
Constituents Engagement, World Economic Forum. “This Special Meeting
will gather key decision-makers from business, government and civil
society to address the challenges and opportunities for job creation.
Topping the list of essential elements for job creation in this region
are employment, education and entrepreneurship, especially among the
youth populations.”
The Meeting will bring together over 1,000 participants from more than
50 countries. The programme will focus on best practices in economic
policy and reform around four thematic pillars: Conditions for
Macroeconomic Stability and Growth; Employment; Education; and
Entrepreneurship. Over three days, world leaders will discuss topics
including resource management, digital innovation and development, the
impact of social media, the advance of women and youth, US-Arab
relations and much more. The discussions will be set against the
backdrop of entrepreneurship and job creation to drive sustained
growth and development in the region.
The Meeting Co-Chairs will serve as the champions of multistakeholder
dialogue and innovation, helping to drive active debate for actionable
outcomes. The Co-Chairs include: Mohammed H. Al Mady, Vice-Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
(SABIC), Saudi Arabia; Yasmin Galal, Global Shaper, Cairo Hub, Egypt;
Habib Haddad, Chief Executive Officer, Wamda, United Arab Emirates, a
Young Global Leader; Muhtar A. Kent, Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company, USA; Maurice Lévy, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Groupe, France, a Member of the
Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum; and Soraya Salti, Senior
Vice-President, Middle East and North Africa, INJAZ Al Arab – JA
Worldwide, Jordan, a Social Entrepreneur.
“We are proud to welcome the World Economic Forum back to Jordan for
the annual Middle East-focused meeting,” said Nasser Lozi, Chairman of
the Board of Trustees, King Abdullah II Fund for Development, Jordan.
“This past year has seen all eyes turned toward our region and we are
proud to partner with the World Economic Forum to advance dialogue and
collective action in the most critical areas of education and
entrepreneurship.”
The Meeting will be opened by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al
Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with the participation of
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan, featuring the largest participation of heads of state and
government for this regional meeting to date. The World Economic Forum
is pleased to welcome Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al Thani, Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar; Asif Ali Zardari,
President of Pakistan; Traian Basescu, President of Romania; Salam
Fayyad, Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority; and Barham Salih,
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq.
In total, ministers from eight countries will join this Special
Meeting along with more than 65 public figures from around the globe,
among them Edouard Balladur, G8 Special Envoy to Support Arab
Countries; Tony Blair, UN Middle East Quartet Representative; Nabil
Elaraby, Secretary-General, League of Arab States, Cairo; Donald
Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank (ADB), Tunis; Hoshyar
Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq; Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed
Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain; Abdul-Kareem
Luaibi Bahedh, Minister of Oil of Iraq; Mohammed Mohsen Al Busairi,
Minister of Oil of Kuwait; John McCain, Senator from Arizona
(Republican), USA; Jamal Rhmani, Minister of Employment and Vocational
Training of Morocco; Mahmoud Abdel Al-Rahman Al Said Eissa, Minister
of Industry and Foreign Trade of Egypt; Nemat Shafik, Deputy Managing
Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington DC, and many
more. Ministerial participation in the Special Meeting includes
representation from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Palestinian
Territories, Turkey, Bahrain, Iraq, Morocco, Egypt and Bulgaria.