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Middle East in "a critical period", President Mubarak of Egypt says |
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World Economic Forum on the Middle East opens |
20 May 2006 - Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak of Egypt said that the Middle East “is passing through a critical period on the path to economic and social reform”. In an address to participants at the opening of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East, Mubarak stressed that peace and development in the region go hand in hand. He pledged to continue crucial economic and political reforms in Egypt “based on a gradual prudent approach that ensures sustainability”. More than 1,200 business, government and civil society leaders from 50 countries are attending the three-day meeting which is focusing on the theme of “the promise of a new generation”.
In his address, Mubarak said that globalization presents the region with immense challenges, including the widening gap between rich and poor, the rising cost of energy, global economic and financial imbalances that could lead to a severe corrective shock, and increasing protectionism. In addition, the world must confront the threats of terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Multilateralism and “democratic international conduct” are needed to foster collective security and peace, Mubarak declared. He pointed to the vast human resources of the Middle East as a source of great promise. The region, he added, has to address its “conflicts and tensions”, including the situation in Iraq, Iran’s nuclear programme, tension between Syria and Lebanon, and the Palestinian issue, which Mubarak stressed would remain “the core concern for peace and stability in the Middle East”. The President said he is confident that the peace process will continue. “Despite the conflicts that still afflict this region, the future appears bright and full of promise,” he concluded.
Earlier, Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, hailed the “new spirit” in the region that is “concentrating on realistic, pragmatic and positive solutions”. The Sharm El Sheikh meeting, he contended, “is the most powerful demonstration of the hope, will and determination of the region to create the necessary conditions for economic, social and hopefully also political development.”
Watch sessions live from the World Economic Forum on the Middle East at: www.weforum.org/middleeast/webcasts (link active from 19 May)
For more information on the meeting, visit:
General information – http://www.weforum.org/middleeast
Programme – www.weforum.org/middleeast/programme
Interviews with key participants – www.weforum.org/middleeast/indepth
Downloadable photos – http://www.pbase.com/forumweb/middleeast2006
Please note that media accreditation is closed. For accredited media, guidelines and general logistical information for the media can be found at: http://www.weforum.org/middleeast/presskit
For pictures of past regional meetings, go to: http://www.pbase.com/forumweb
Photos of our events can be downloaded free of charge for journalists at http://www.swiss-image.ch/worldeconomicforum (login required).
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The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. (www.weforum.org)
For more information, please contact:
Communications and Public Affairs
World Economic Forum
Tel.: +41 (0) 22 869 1212
Fax: +41 (0) 22 869 1394
E-mail: public.affairs@weforum.org
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