Microsoft's CEO to address Arab government leaders in Dubai

The two-day event, will bring together top government and business leaders from around the region with the goal of driving discussion around how the private ICT sector can work in cooperation with local, regional and central governments.

His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Education and Microsoft Corporation's Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, along with a distinguished selection of experienced leaders from developed and developing nations in the region, will offer diverse viewpoints to enrich the dialogue at the GLF. In addition, the GLF will offer attendees access to lively, interactive panel discussions and an opportunity for peer networking and ad hoc discussion groups. In this way, the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum Arabia will enable important discussions between the ICT industry and the public sector.

Throughout the two days, the GLF will present four dynamic discussion forums - "Growth and Economic Development", "Governance and Modernization", "Social Development and Education" and "Public/Private Partnership".

Each session will feature a panel of leading delegates who will assist in guiding participation and framing the discussion, in addition to the prominent experts who will facilitate the discussion forum track.

"We are committed to working with the governments in the region to develop innovative solutions for modernization of government services and education," said Ali Faramawy, Vice President, Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa. "We cooperate to develop initiatives that improve access to technology, creating opportunities for communities, and driving local economic activities through ICT. GLF Arabia will touch on all of these themes, and we look forward to discussing them with our esteemed delegates."

This is the second time that Microsoft has held this event in the Arab world following the success of the GLF Cairo in 2004.