Dubai: The eighth Arab Strategy Forum will open in Dubai on Tuesday. The event, by invitation only, is a regular on the Dubai calendar, bringing together economists, politicians and analysts to forecast future trends global economy.
In a speech ahead of the forum, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, spoke about conflicts in the region.
Recalling his past his speech at the Arab Strategy Forum in 2004, he said: “Back then, we mentioned the importance of change to avoid revolutions and we warned against the possibility that the theory of the ‘clash of civilisations’ may prevail. We also warned against the spread of hatred based on religion, race or sectarian differences. Today we are witnessing the consequences. We are witnessing revolutions and conflicts that have one thing in common; they are against civilisation. What is happening today is a struggle between civilisation and its enemies. To defeat evil and destructive forces, we need to stop associating them with any civilisation, religion or race as they practice killing for killing’s sake. No religious teaching or civilisation supports these practices.”
This year’s forum will see a number of speakers addressing similar issues, including Former British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who will share his thoughts on how the political state of the world will turn in 2016.
The forum will also see the participation of a number of decision makers, as well as political and economic leaders who will present their outlook for the world in 2016.
Turki Al Faisal, chairman of the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies and former director-general of the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Gassan Salameh, a political thinker and author, will headline a session on the state of the Arab world in 2016. Mohannad Al Khateeb from Sky News Arabia will moderate the session.
Salam Fayyad, former Palestinian Prime Minister and Mahmoud Mohieldin, corporate secretary and the president’s special envoy, World Bank, will participate in a session on the economic state of the Arab world in 2016. Highlighting economic trends, growth prospects and challenges, the session will be moderated by Nassir Al Teibi from Al Arabiya news channel.
Larry Summers, former US Secretary of Treasury and former president of Harvard University, and Professor Nouriel Roubini from New York University will headline a session on the economic state of the world in 2016. The two speakers will highlight economic trends and their global effects during the session moderated by Tom Kenny from Bloomberg.
A key highlight of this year’s Arab Strategy Forum is the showcasing of a number of reports by international organisations. The World Bank will offer insights on the economic prospects for the world in 2016, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will highlight its regional economic forecasts for the upcoming year.
Foreign Affairs magazine will discuss its report on the political and economic state of the world for 2016. Furthermore, the World Economic Forum (WEF) will highlight its Global Risks Report 2016.
