Dubai, January 26, 2005: Emaar Properties has announced a corporate partnership agreement with the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the organisation’s Annual Meeting being held under the theme ‘Taking Responsibility for Tough Choices’ at Davos, Switzerland from January 26-30, 2005.
Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar said: “Our partnership with the World Economic Forum for its Annual Meeting 2005 is an extension of our existing commitment towards international dialogue for global reform. The WEF Annual Meetings are a successful contributor towards advancing progress on key issues of global concern, and we are happy to be part of this high profile initiative.”
“We find ourselves at a crucial time for the world and its leaders. The socio-political and economic conditions prevailing worldwide, and natural factors like the recent Tsunami catastrophe, call for enhanced global collaboration. The Davos Meeting will provide the perfect platform for global leaders from all walks of life to get together in a neutral milieu, without conflict or tension, to work for a better tomorrow. It is an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that cohesive efforts from government, business and civil society is the way forward,” said Mr Alabbar.
Combining high-level panel discussions and workshops, the Annual Meeting 2005 will be a rallying point for the international community to debate on issues related to the global agenda, business, science and technology, values, arts and culture, each designed to bring diverse people, voices and viewpoints.
Alabbar will be a panellist on the session titled ‘Is politics to blame for the rift between the west and Islam’, and will lead a table discussion on ‘Middle East 2020-Island of Wealth and opportunity’. In addition, he will be part of the speaker panel for a live CNN debate focusing on prospects for democracy in the Middle East.
This year’s Meeting will feature more than 2,250 participants from 96 countries including more heads of state or government, cabinet ministers, religious leaders, union leaders and heads of nongovernmental organizations. Around 50 per cent of the participants are business leaders drawn principally from the Forum's members – 1,000 of the foremost companies from around the world and across all economic sectors.
Key participants include William H. Gates, Co-Founder, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Microsoft Corporation, N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman of the Board and Chief Mentor, Infosys Technologies, Lubna S. Olayan, Chief Executive Officer, Olayan Financing Company, Charles O. Prince, Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup, John A. Thain, Chief Executive Officer, New York Stock Exchange, Daniel Vasella, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Novartis.
