São Paulo – The World Economic Forum (WEF), based in Davos, Switzerland, will have its annual Middle Eastern edition starting on the 21st, in the Dead Sea region. As the Arab Spring unfolds and the world economy remains unstable, the organization intends to hold a special meeting on economic growth and job creation in the Arab world.
According to a WEF statement, changes in the region and international economic turbulence call for urgent responses. The idea is to discuss “best practices” in economic policies and reforms under four main topics: conditions for growth and macroeconomic stability, employment, education and entrepreneurship.
The meeting should also cover resource management, innovation and digital development, the impact of social media, the progress of women and youths, and relations between the region and the United States. Special attention will be given to youth-oriented policies, as they are the driving force behind the Arab Spring.
The meeting, which will last three days, will be opened by the king of Jordan, Abdullah 2nd. Approximately 1,000 participants from 50 different countries are expected to attend, according to the organizers.
Speakers will include the Qatari prime minister, Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al Thani, the Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad, the presidents of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Romania, Traian Basescu, the secretary general of the League of Arab States, Nabil Elaraby, the CEOs of Sabic, the Saudi petrochemical company, Mohammed Al Mady, and of Coca-Cola, Muhtar Kent, as well as other entrepreneurial and political leaders.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
