EGAR 3rd Annual Meeting Opens in Amman under the Patronage of PM Dahabi

The impressive, pluralistic assembly of this meeting shows that we are prepared for the challenges ahead of us- Nasser

At this vital international assembly, we seek to contribute in creating a constructive dialogue, building bridges of trust, launching creative initiatives and enhancing the role of youth and women in societies - Abu-Ghazaleh

AMMAN --- April 7, 2008--- The Evian Group-Arab Region?s (EGAR) 3rd Annual Meeting opened today under the Patronage of the Prime Minister Eng. Nader Dahabi at Talal Abu-Ghazaleh College of Business/German Jordanian University.

The two-day meeting ?entitled "Arab Responses to Global Challenges & Global Responses to Arab Challenges: Framing a Dynamic 21st Century Agenda" - hosts government officials, academics, and global thinkers and is headed by Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chair of the Evian Group-Arab Region and co-chair of the Evian Group 

Deputizing for the Prime Minister, HE Mr. Kamal Nasser, Minister for Political Development and Minister of State for Legal Affairs highly commended efforts exerted to organize the EGAR meeting in Jordan, while underlining the vital issues to be discussed by the participants.

?In an increasingly interconnected world, progress towards integration is an essential pillar for building our future. The experience, know-how and vision brought by the Evian Group to the table, coupled with the fact that Jordan is hosting this meeting gives me a reason to rejoice and be optimistic,? Nasser addressed the attendants.

The Minister stated that ?promoting a transparent, democratic and accountable governance system locally and regionally, along with gender equality, are the main issues that will be tackled in the meeting, in addition to facilitating and providing a universally accepted framework of collaboration and exchange of goods and services amongst Arab countries and others globally as well.?

Nasser called on all related parties to work together in order to properly deal with any obstacles that encounter the Arab region saying that ?the impressive, pluralistic assembly of this meeting shows that we are prepared for the challenges ahead of us.?

The Minister continued to say ?We, the private sector, civil society and governments understand that we need to join hands and locate our resources to find solutions for the problems affecting our region and its people with despair and pain.?

Nasser stressed that all stakeholders have a greater responsibility and together can make a difference.

Meanwhile, Abu-Ghazaleh commented on the Minister?s remarks by pledging to be trustworthy partners of government in the creation of knowledge, wealth and prosperity for the nation and its citizens.

?Your Excellency, the Jordanian private sector and Jordanian businesspeople throughout the Arab world have a role and responsibility in utilizing this historic opportunity to serve their nation within these enormous and rapid changes,? he noted.

Abu-Ghazaleh stressed that many challenges; virtually all of them, may affect different regions to greater or lesser degrees, are common to all of humanity. ?They fall under one or several of the key themes of energy, environment, economy and security. I might also add ?values? as another key theme, which I shall come back to,? he pointed out.

In his speech, Abu-Ghazaleh announced several pioneering initiatives such as the low-cost Arab computer project called (TAGIBook), in addition to the project of the Arab encyclopedia on the internet (TAGIPedia) which intends to enrich the encyclopedia with Arab heritage and content.

Moreover, Abu-Ghazaleh announced the launch of the first satellite channel in the world specializing in Intellectual Property (IP) which will be called TAGIPR World. ?This comes after the profound success of the Abu-Ghazaleh News Agency (AGIP News). We?ve obtained the licenses necessary with ?Nilesat?, and are preparing to administer the channel from the TAGorg building at the Smart Village in Cairo,? he said.

Abu-Ghazaleh concluded ?So today, at this vital international assembly, we seek to contribute in creating a constructive dialogue, building bridges of trust, launching creative initiatives and enhancing the role of youth and women in societies abundant with justice and equality. We will work diligently to fulfill these goals.?

The Evian Group - Arab Region was formally created in 2006 in Cairo, Egypt, during the inaugural EGAR meeting held March 19-20 of the same year with the aim of helping define a well-articulated globalization agenda for the Arab world. It is an Arab regional coalition of prominent business, government and opinion leaders aiming to ensure the great competitiveness of the Arab region and facilitate its integration in the global economy.