Socio - economic development not sustainable without political balance - delegates stress at ASF

Speaking at the 4th Arab Strategy Forum underway in Dubai, Gargash said that the Arab world is characterised by a number of success stories that need to be matched at the political level.

However, he warned that although reform is essential to achieve sustainable growth and development there are risks involved in moving too rapidly with political reforms. He said that any political initiative of integration has to be put in the wider context of the Arab world.

"Rapid action on the political front might have negative consequences as the cultural and intellectual trends are slow at adapting to change at the Arab level," he said

"We are facing enormous challenges but this should not be an excuse for political stagnation."

He was speaking during a forum panel session on 'Degrees of Separation: Towards inclusiveness in the Arab world' that discussed the increasing importance of providing effective participation channels for the Arab citizens.

Saadeddin Ibrahim, Director, Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies, Egypt said that political stagnation in the Arab world is the consequence of regimes remaining in power without the will of the people. This has resulted in tyrants and external oppressors gaining power in the region.

He stressed the need to involve intermediate organisations and civil bodies to bridge the gap between citizens and government.

Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, Chairman of the Board, Saudi Research and Publishing Company (SRPC), Saudi Arabia and a Co-chair of the Arab Strategy Forum 2006, said that partnership between private and public sectors can help bridge the gap between Arab governments and citizens.

Prince Faisal said: "Privatisation is not a threat to the state, rather it is complementary to it."

He gave the example of the successful partnership between investment funds and government in Saudi Arabia.

Prince Faisal said that the approach and views of the new generation also need to be taken into consideration when dealing with any kind of change. He said that contrary to popular belief, polls in Saudi Arabia show that most young people are quite conservative which, he said, would be reflected in their ideological approach to change.

Speaker Amr Hamzawy, Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA, summing up the opinion of the speakers, said: "We are witnessing a great dynamism in the Arab region with the political and social arenas showing signs of hope that can help bridge the gap between governments and citizens."

The ASF, which has attracted more than 600 distinguished participants and 115 worldwide speakers, is a vehicle for change and a key driver in the reform and policy shaping of governmental and business organisations throughout the Arab world.

Through a powerful network, facilitated working sessions, state-of-the-art technology, exclusive knowledge and informal platforms, the ASF provides participants with the resources needed to create opportunities for change in their own environments.

Among those participating in this year's event are influential personalities from the region's business, government and civil society sectors, and internationally-renowned politicians and business leaders.

Developed under the theme, 'Creating Opportunity from Change', this year's sessions are underpinned by bespoke knowledge and research on the Arab world, providing a unique information platform for the continued strategic development of the Middle East and North Africa on the global stage.

Focusing on four distinct tracks - Governance, the CEO Agenda, Arab Society and Socio-Economic - the ASF is the leading Arab platform for strategic thinking and the main launch pad for regional programmes and initiatives.