First Introductory Conference of the UN Global Compact Inaugurated in Syria

Abu-Ghazaleh announces the launch of the Global Compact Center in Damascus

DAMASCUS --- July 7, 2008 --- The State Planning Commission (SPC) in Syria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized the first introductory conference of the UN Global Compact and launched the Compacts center in Damascus.

The conference was convened under the patronage of Head of the SPC Dr. Taysir Al-Radawi and with the attendance of Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh. Various businesspeople, economists, industrialists and officials from both the UNDP and SPC participated in the event.

Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh delivered a speech at the opening session highlighting the significance of this event in relation to the partnership of the public and private sectors in serving society.

"What must happen now is the formation of a foundational Syrian council that is run by officials in the public and private sectors and civil society, in order to fulfill the goals and principles of the Global Compact, which focus on institutional development." Abu-Ghazaleh elaborated.

Abu-Ghazaleh explained that since various productive ventures were transferred to the private sector, it started to shoulder a larger responsibility toward society as a partner to the state.

On his part, Dr. Al-Radawi stressed that the new role of the private sector within the framework of the economy of the social market primarily includes an increase in the percentage of contribution towards economic growth rates and the enhancement of competitive capabilities for Syrian services and goods.

On the sidelines of the conference, an agreement was signed between the UNDP and the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization to support the public sector in Syria. The agreement calls for launching a number of projects such as developing the capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises, creating a center for entrepreneurs and a center that assists in finding job opportunities utilizing technology.