Arab Strategy Forum names top Arab leaders as event co-chairs

Taking up the positions with immediate effect are Yousef Boutros Ghali, Minister of Finance, Egypt; Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Economy, UAE; Prince Faisal bin Salman, Executive President, Saudi Research and Publications Company; Mohammed bin Hamad Al Madhi, Vice Chairman and CEO, SABIC; Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways and Maha Al Ghunaim, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Global Investment House.

The co-chairs will work with the event's participants and through ASF on supporting planning and development processes in the region.

Nabil Al Yousuf, Vice-Chairman, ASF Organising Committee, said: "The induction of such a high-profile panel of top government and business leaders from the Arab world as ASF co-chairs, clearly demonstrates the level of sophistication and significance that the event now commands.

"Through the involvement of these highly influential people, we will raise the level of awareness about the strategic direction the Arab world is pursuing, and position ASF as a critical global medium for creating opportunity from change."

Leveraging their respective profiles, the co-chairs will work on developing cooperation between ASF and international organizations. They will also coordinate with regional and global leaders to exchange ideas about launching initiatives and development programs in Arab world.

The co-chairs will represent ASF at international events and media organization around the world and will kick off the event in a specialised media forum and lead key discussions at the three day meet.

The appointment of the co-chairs is in line with ASF's decision to re-structure this year's event and reposition it as the leading Arab platform for strategic thinking and the primary launch pad for regional programmes and initiatives. Focusing on four distinct tracks - Governance, the CEO Agenda, Arab Society and Socio-Economic - ASF has become a holistic, interactive medium fostering change and innovation.

ASF 2006 will be held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It is expected to bring together over 600 global leaders to discuss key issues impacting the Arab world. Among those participating in this year's event will be influential personalities from the region's commercial, government and civil society sectors, and internationally renowned politicians and business leaders.