*Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 9 October 2011 –* The World Economic
Forum’s Summit on the Global Agenda will open tomorrow in Abu Dhabi. For the
fourth consecutive year, the Summit will bring together over 800 Members of
the Network of Global Agenda Councils, comprising global experts – thought
leaders from academia, business, government and civil society – from 80
countries to address some of the most pressing issues on the global,
regional and industry agendas. It is the first time the Summit on the Global
Agenda takes place in Abu Dhabi.
The Co-Chairs of the Summit on the Global Agenda 2011 are H.E. Sultan Bin
Saeed AlMansoori, Minister of Economy, United Arab Emirates, and H.E. Nasser
Ahmed Alsowaidi, Chairman, Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi.
During the Summit, the Council Members will identify key issues, explore
risks and unmet opportunities, and elaborate mitigation strategies in a
series of interactive sessions and uniquely designed conversations across
Councils and relevant themes. The Network of Global Agenda Councils
comprises 79 councils of 15-20 experts each, focusing on topics such as food
security, climate change, financial stability and geopolitical risk.
“This Summit takes place against a backdrop of unprecedented global
challenges. Not only has the sheer amount of challenges increased, but their
complexity as well,” said Børge Brende, Managing Director, Government
Relations and Constituents Engagement, World Economic Forum. “Never before
has the global community faced such a number of challenges at the same time.
What is needed, therefore, are new models – finding new forms of cooperation
and problem solving that are capable of responding effectively to these
challenges. This is what the Summit on the Global Agenda aims to achieve.”
“We look forward to welcoming the best and the brightest from around the
world for the Summit on the Global Agenda for the fourth time,” said H.E.
Sultan bin Saeed AlMansoori. “This is a unique opportunity to share and
exchange insights and work together to identify new ways of meeting some of
the most pressing global challenges.”
H.E. Nasser Ahmed Alsowaidi, added: “The UAE’s participation in the World
Economic Forum, and the hosting of the Summit on the Global Agenda in Abu
Dhabi is a testament to our ongoing commitment to make a significant
contribution to global conversations.”