Young Arab Leaders launches the inaugural 'Arab and American Action Forum'

With 100 Arab leaders from business, media, government and the NGO community joining 100 of their counterparts from the US and with the support of the Clinton Global Initiative, the forum aims to create a dialogue to develop relations between Americans and the Arab world.

According to YAL's Chairman, Saeed Al Muntafiq, leaders in the Arab world have a responsibility to take the first step in tackling the region's challenges, leading to the creation of an environment that will bring prosperity and stability to future generations. Bridging the gap between the US and the Arab world is a step in that direction. There is a complementarity between the development goals and aspirations of the Middle East and those of industrialized economies. In both cases economic prosperity correlates to political stability. As such, we aim to use this common platform to foster progressive dialogue between the two communities.

He continued to say that the ultimate goal is to create partnerships that allow for the transfer of knowledge between the Arab countries and the rest of the world. "The forum is the first step in YAL's plan to bridge the communication gap between the Arab region and the rest of world," said Al Muntafiq. "Similar events will be held in various other regions including Asia and Europe."

The participants will be addressed by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan and the former US president Bill Clinton. Other key speakers include Klaus Schwab, Founder and CEO of the World Economic Forum and Mark Mallock Brown, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations.

"While some might argue that the current political environment is not conducive to dialogue with the US, YAL believes that actually the current challenges with the world's strongest economy are the very reason why this event is critical," said Al Muntafiq.

The forum will focus on five development areas: education, entrepreneurship, leadership development, youth networks, and dialogue exchange.

The AAAF is sponsored by Gulf Finance House, a YAL Strategic Partner as well as Emirates Airlines, the American University in Dubai (AUD), Jumeriah Essex House and PEPSI international-MENA.