1.8 billion people represented at Dubai Strategy Forum 2002

The Forum, now in its second year, will bring together government and business leaders, along with key representatives from academia, media and civil society, to engage in open dialogue, discussion and debate about the future of the region.

This incorporates over 30 countries across North and East Africa, Central and South Asia, the broader Middle East, including the Gulf States.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, is scheduled to play a key role at the three day Forum, earmarked to attract almost 1,000 participants, standing firm in his opinion that regional growth must be achieved through regional alliances.

"Our region is at a crossroads and we must realize that our fates are inexorably tied," he said. "Through the partnership of government and business leaders, academia and the media a deliberate forward-looking approach to global issues that affect us all can be achieved."

According to Mohammed Al Gergawi, chairman of Dubai Strategy Forum, the region embraced by the Forum represents more than one third of the world's population.

"The region that is dubbed 'the third world' by many economists and media, actually houses one third of the world's people. In so doing, it is showing its impact on a wide range of important global issues," he said.

His comments are supported by Forum collateral that stresses the need for regional leaders to take steps to shape the region's collective future, not to leave tomorrow to chance and unmanaged influences: "It is our responsibility as leaders, whatever our sphere, to play our part in advancing the economies within which we work and live," he stressed.

The Forum initiative kicked off last year during the wave of ongoing pioneering steps taken by Dubai's forward-thinking Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It stands as an example to the emirate's appreciation that the greater region sits on a portion of the world's GDP that is positioned for notable growth. Consequently, the countries involved have a responsibility to enhance the region's collective influence on the global economy.

Turning back to Gergawi, while he is fast to acknowledge the commendable achievements of the region to date, he stresses that future development is best taken to full potential by cooperation among neighboring markets.

"Business alliances at all levels is essential for economic growth," he said. "To some, the use of the word synergy may appear weak, but when we say that 'synergy is key for accelerated and sustained growth', we mean it. The Dubai Strategy Forum 2002 is designed as the linchpin to stir action."

He said that knowledge sharing by leaders among leaders is essential and stressed that the Forum is structured to encourage complete freedom of speech and opinion among the 25 plus speakers and expected 1,000 delegates.

"This is a Forum for the region, by the region, and will encourage dialogue, discussion, as well as debate, aimed at creating workable strategies geared to our mutual bottom-line success," said Gergawi.

Driving the Forum, comprising more than 20 sessions and workshops over three days, is the overriding theme Creating Networks of Growth.

Speakers from a variety of business, government and academic spheres hailing from the region and international arena will each lead main Forum presentations and, in many cases, facilitate workshops where the objective will be business-to-business and business-to-government cooperation designed to achieve economic growth.

The meeting has already attracted the attention of six leading brands which are on board as Organizing Partners to help steer the Forum to achieve its goals.

These partners are : PricewaterhouseCoopers the international firm of auditors and business advisors, National Bank of Dubai, Dubai's national bank, ENOC - the leader in upstream and downstream activities in the oil and gas sector and beyond, Emirates, the UAE's national airline, the GCC's leading English newspaper, Gulf News, Dubai Media City, a rapidly emerging global media hub.

"It is high time that a meeting of minds produces roadmaps conducive to action and this is another difference about the Dubai Strategy Forum 2002," said Gergawi.

"The Forum is structured to ensure the production of realistic ideas, concepts and strategies ripe for immediate implementation for win-win scenarios."

He explained that the Forum is designed as 'a five-prong attack, so to speak'.

"There will be keynote presentations, panel discussions, in-depth workshops, bilateral meetings as well as a host of networking events - all expected to result in a set of workable roadmaps that bridge the greater regional economies for a better tomorrow."

The earmarked categories cover government, business and technology sectors.

The first day of the three day event, which will be held at the purpose-built Convention Centre at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, will focus on how governments need to evolve, if not revolutionize, their approach and culture to better fit the demands of economic and commercial growth.

Day two will spotlight economic and business issues, including an innovative look at how a country's strategic development would do well to consider the global strategies of multinational corporations.

The final day sees technology under the spotlight, as well as a panel discussion to close this year's event. The panel is set to comprise business, media and opinion leaders from home and abroad and addresses the question 'What will the region look like in five years'?.

Gergawi concluded: "Dubai Strategy Forum will open in Dubai on October 28-30 2002 with the objective of advancing the state of the region by exchange, debate and networking."

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