|
The Promise of a New Generation
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 20-22 May 2006
 Over 1,100 participants at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East set out to highlight the “Promise of a New Generation” against a background of profound challenges.
Participants highlighted these challenges: the conflict in Iraq, which could deteriorate into civil war; the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian problem; heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme; the negative impact of higher oil revenues such as widening income gaps; insufficient investment in essential infrastructure; middle-class dissatisfaction over slumping securities markets; and most important of all, the need to create 80 million jobs over the next 20 years to stem the rise of extremism among youth. |
In this context, the meeting was marked by more frank and open debate than ever before and by the commitment to increase the role of the private sector. Participants focused on issues that the business world can credibly address. Government, business and civil society leaders here with us, especially the youth, have taken bold initiatives to transform the region.
What the World Economic Forum Achieved:
Dialogue and Society
- The Forum hosted significant business and political discussions among US, Arab and Israeli leaders, including the highest-level talks in 11 months between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Press release I Session summary I Photo I Webcast
- By linking a group of students with regional ministers from among the Forum’s Young Global Leaders community, we expanded a valuable network to foster communication and exchange among young people.
Young Global Leaders I Session summary
 The Forum launched the Egypt Education Initiative to benefit 820,000 children in 2,000 schools.
Press release I Global Education Initiative
- For the first time, the Women Leaders Programme brought together women ministers from across the region to construct a five-year action plan for public- and private-sector policies to address the region’s gender gap.
Session summary I Women Leaders Programme I Gender Gap report
Business and Investment
- The Forum took initial steps to launching a private sector-funded branding campaign for the Middle East under the banner “Red Tape Out, Red Carpet In”
Session summary
- Egypt’s National Competitiveness Council published its third report.
Global Competitiveness Network
-
A new Family Business Forum was born out of the session "Family Business and the New Generation". Session participants continued the discussion after the meeting thanks to this new platform for the Arabian family business to exchange ideas, experiences and to leverage business opportunities. Together they launched the "Tharawat Family Business Forum" to encourage networking, academic research, and to promote business alliances between family businesses in the Middle East. Tharawat is now registered at DIFC in Dubai, and membership is limited for the time being to Arabian family businesses from the Middle East. The first meeting on 6 September 2006 drew 14 family businesses. The second meeting will take place on 9 April 2007 in Dubai.
-
 The Forum recognized social entrepreneurs for their achievements in promoting sustainable business practices in Egypt.
Webcast I Press release I Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs
There was agreement to consider amendments to the open skies policy for Egypt.
What the World Economic Forum Agreed to Facilitate
- Under the Forum’s Council of 100 Leaders, develop a Web-based information portal. The Council will work with local communities across faiths to support its work.
- Launch a regional task force to tackle corruption. Partnering Against Corruption Initiative
- Work with high-potential, high-growth companies to develop a programme to help them integrate into the global economy.
During the meeting, a number of other proposals were made. The Forum is committed to taking these forward over the coming year with our Members and Partners.
Co-Chairs
M. Shafik Gabr, Chairman and Managing Director, Artoc Group for Investment, Egypt
H.R.H. Princess Lolwah Al Faisal, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees and General Supervisor, Effat College, Saudi Arabia
Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Chairman, easyGroup (UK), United Kingdom
Nemir A. Kirdar, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Investcorp, United Kingdom
Mohamed H. Al Mady, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Saudi Arabia
William R. Rhodes, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Citibank, USA
For more information, please contact middleeast@weforum.org
|
