Entrepreneurs will find commercial solutions to environmental problems: Sir Richard Branson

"Sir Richard Branson is internationally recognised for his innovative business strategies and, if anyone has good ideas about how business can help solve climate change problems, it will be him," says event organiser Alan Kelly.

"As the owner of Britain's second largest long haul airline, Virgin Atlantic, he has a personal stake in the ongoing debate over global warming, and his insights into how we can address the world's dependence on fossil fuels will be very interesting."

Sir Richard will also be sharing his thoughts on how to get the best out of people, taking business risks and how to successfully deal with failure.

"Everything is a people business," Sir Richard says," and if I have been successful, it's because I've been able to get my people to understand and share my vision. But just as importantly, we've all been able to have a lot of fun along the way."

He has become an inspiration to many with his commitment to solving social and environmental problems and was knighted in 1999 for his services to entrepreneurship.

Today, the Virgin Group is a 21st century global leader in transportation, healthcare, financial services, leisure and media guided by the principle of environmentally efficient commerce.

Other confirmed speakers for this year's Leaders in Dubai Business Forum 2007, which will be held at the Dubai International Convention Centre from November 18-20, include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan; Nobel Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus; business strategy gurus Robert S Kaplan, Philip Kotler and Steve Forbes; plus Google's Nikesh Arora.

Leaders in Dubai Business Forum 2007 is supported by Founding Sponsors: Citi Private Bank and Nokia; Leading Master Developer: Dubai Properties; Headline Sponsors: Addax Bank, Bidaya and The Monarch Dubai; Supporting Sponsors: Omniyat, Ithmar Capital, Al Barari, Damac Properties and Dubai Real Estate; Official Technology Partner: Fujitsu Siemens; Knowledge Partner: SP Jain; Official Event Courier: TCS.