Kuwait to host the Arab Thought Foundation's eighth annual conference (FIKR 8)

The programme's theme for 2009 is "Integrating Arab Economies: Partnering For Prosperity", with a focus on the region's economy and the movement towards pan-Arab economic partnership and integration. Conference topics will include Energy Leadership and how the region can step up its leadership role in alternative energy, Food Security and Global Agriculture, Trade Liberalisation, Monetary Union and Youth Job Creation amongst other topics.

Confirmed speakers include: Naguib Sawiris, Chairman and CEO, Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, Ben Simpfendorfer Chief China Economist Royal Bank of Scotland, Arif Naqvi CEO Abraj Capital, Faisal A Al Mutawa MD Bayan Investments, Abdulrahman Bin Hamad A Attiyah Secretary General Gulf Cooperation Council, Khalid Abduallah Janahi Chairman Ithmaar Bank, Suleiman Al-Herbish, Director General, OPEC Fund and Daly Belgasmi, Regional Director Middle East and North Africa, UN World Food Program.

This year's conference will be characterized by the active participation of the Foundation's Youth Ambassadors - a group of young people recognised as excelling in the fields of science, technology, media and the arts. These young people will be active members on the Arab Thought Foundation's board throughout the coming year as the Foundation seeks to promote and engage with the wealth of talent which exists in the Arab World, both within the Middle East and the wider global community.

2009 Arab Creativity Awards

The conference will host a gala dinner to honour the winners of the 2009 Arab Creativity Awards. Now in their eighth year, the prizes recognise excellence in the fields of science, technology, economics, civil society, the media, literature and the arts in the Arab World. Previous winners have included the musician Nasseer Shama, humanitarian Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, writer Samiha Khreis and celebrated actor Adel Imam.

There are 7 awards categories: Scientific Creativity Award, Technical Creativity Award, Economics Creativity Award, Civil Creativity Award, Media Creativity Award, Literary Creativity Award and the Artistic Creativity Award.

FIKR ('Thought' or 'Idea' in the Arabic language)
FIKR's guiding mission is to harness the most current thinking on the future of the Arab economy and culture through an international programme of events and initiatives. The annual FIKR conference has emerged as the leading forum for debate on Arab cultural and economic issues, forging practical solutions for the region to benefit future generations.

The programme will be a lively mix of keynote speakers, panel debates, plenary sessions, as well as a LIVE debate broadcast on the Arabic channel Al Arabiya featuring the representatives of the Youth Café session - a unique platform for Arab youths to exchange ideas, creative and innovative thinking which convenes at every FIKR conference - at the conclusion of the two-day event.

The Arab Thought Foundation is committed to open debate, as reflected in the conference format of live sessions, Q&A and interactive participation via social media forums such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and web blogs.