Featured Speaker...
Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa
Praises the launch of the 3rd U.S.-Arab Economic Forum
His Excellency Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League announced his support for the launch of the 3rd biennial U.S.-Arab Economic Forum, to be held on May 7-9, in Washington D.C., U.S.A.
“As an active supporter of diplomacy in the Arab world, I am proud that the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum will provide the required platform for leaders from both the Arab world and the U.S. to interact, and build long-lasting relationships to foster peace, through economic partnerships,” said Mr. Moussa.
The Forum will be an opportunity for leaders in politics, business and the civil society from the Arab world and the U.S. to lay the foundation of appreciation for mutual collaboration in areas of shared interest.
“This is an excellent opportunity for leaders from both parts of the world to work together, to establish a common understanding that issues of a collective concern can be addressed and that shared economic prosperity can exist between different heritages, cultures, and peoples,” said Mr. Ahmad Chebbani, the Chairperson and CEO of the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum.
Certain key issues of the upcoming Forum will include promoting the role of women in business, enhancing cultural understandings of the Arab world with the West, bridging the gap in innovation: strengthening partnerships in science between the U.S. and the Arab World, increasing free trade and investment, and addressing the vacillating bias’ of media and media responsibility.
Mr. Moussa went on to say, “My hope is to see the building of relationships, to see that pluralism and expanding tolerance from one culture to another will allow two uniquely distinguished worlds to convene together, as one. The Arab League gives its support to the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum, and I congratulate Mr. Chebbani for his vision to build such unity.”
Mr. Chebbani stated, “I thank Excellency Moussa for his continued support of the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum, and I look forward to working with him, the Arab world and leaders in the U.S., to help foster dynamic economic relationships.”
In the past the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum has addressed issues regarding cultural sensitivities, developing economic partnerships beyond energy, building on technological innovation, and youth development and education.
This year's attendees include: Foreign Minister the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.R.H. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Chairman and President Export-Import Bank of the United States James Lambright and President and Kingdom of Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa. For a more comprehensive list of attendees, please visit our web site at: http://usaef.ameeac.org
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Water is a precious resource in temperate countries and is even more valued in places such as the Middle East. Natural low rainfalls, increased frequencies of drought, water salinization, and flash floods increase the challenge of supplying enough water in some of the most arid countries in the world. Despite these natural restrictions, the enormous rate of economic development in these countries, with the concomitant increases in water demand from both burgeoning populations and business activities, means that the demand is on an increase trajectory far beyond that of supplies (Howari, and McDonnell 2008).