Evian Arab Region Meeting Concludes in Cairo

CAIRO, EGYPT - The first Evian Group?Arab Region Meeting entitled "Meeting the Challenges of Globalization: Generating Regional Dynamics & Setting an Agenda" organized by Evian Group and Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAGorg) concluded on March 20 at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza Hotel in the Egyptian capital.
 
H.E. Mr. Amr Mousa, the Secretary General of the Arab League inaugurated the event, which took place March 19-20, under the chairmanship of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman & CEO of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mousa acknowledged the many challenges facing the region and welcomed the initiative and intellectual drive that the two-day Meeting could induce both in the present and in the future.

Mr. Mousa further stated that in an era of global and regional uncertainties, a credible and reciprocal environment of dialogue and confidence is needed in order to boost economic growth and overcome current doubts, frustrations and conflicts.

The Meeting was attended by key international figures; H.E. Dr. Fayza Abouelnagga, the Egyptian Minister for International Cooperation, Mr. Alejandro Jara, the Deputy Director of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ms. Elissar Sarrouh, the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in addition to a number of key Arab regional and international representatives from the governmental, NGOs, international organizations and private sector.

Dr. Aboulnaga, reiterated that achieving a balance for the impacts resulted from the globalization process is essential.

Pertaining to the Arab Region, Egypt in particular, one of the challenges put forward was to assess the transitional period as liberalization policies are put in place. 

Another key question which was addressed by the Meeting was the means through which the Arab region and Egypt can both go through in the reform process while sustaining local support.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh called for shaping the future rather than predicting it.

Abu-Ghazaleh stated that the objective behind this Arab Region Meeting is to begin a process of reflection and dialogue in respect of two main objectives.

These objectives, he added, are represented in assessing the best means to improve the global economic agenda in respect of the Arab region from one hand and the Arab regional agenda regarding the global economic order from the other.

H.E. Mousa accepted Mr. Abu-Ghazalehs invitation to become an Honorary Chair of the Evian Group-Arab Region.

The two-day Meeting underscored two crucial themes to the Arab region concerning business leadership, governance and globalization as well as youth and globalization.

The importance of governance in the Arab world came as a response to the globalization policies in improving the corporate performance, social responsibility and institutional development.

The Meeting, moreover, highlighted the cooperation in establishing transparent management practices by enhancing the vocational training in addition to the leading entrepreneurship and executive training.

A preparatory meeting for the establishment of a ?Global Youth Forum for the Year 2020? preceded the Evian Group-Arab Region Meeting. The preparatory meeting was hosted by the American University in Cairo (AUC) on March 21, 2006.