Strategy Forum to redraw regional map

The Dubai Strategy Forum next month is expected to give birth to a redrawn map of 31 countries, transforming part of the Third World to "a third of the world".

The new region covers North and East Africa, Central and South Asia and the broader Middle East including the Gulf states. It is home to 1.8 billion people whose gross domestic product is valued at $1.5 trillion, said Mohammed Al Gergawi, forum chairman, during the public launch of this year's event.

In an innovative and interactive session, about 100 senior diplomats, representing 40 countries, in the UAE were briefed on the forum and were invited to present their ideas on what should be covered and who should be invited to speak.

From October 28 to 30, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, will be in the vanguard of more than 40 top speakers, including academicians, Nobel Prize contenders, media personalities, ministers and thinkers.

Sheikh Mohammed "will give the 30-minute opening presentation, sharing his vision for the region under the forum's theme - Creating Networks of Growth," said Al Gergawi.

He pointed out that the forum was "not an ad hoc event. We are, here, launching a process. This is a process meant to contribute to a momentum for growth for the countries of the region, to create a framework of open and constructive dialogue, of business-oriented interaction".

"In a world of interdependency, the era of each for himself or herself is now obsolete. This is the spirit behind the forum," he said, emphasising the need for each country in the region to "move ahead as partners in a growth and prosperity adventure."

He said the forum had three important objectives. The first is sharing of insights, first-hand knowledge and experience; the second is that it's an opportunity for broadening business horizons and the third is that the forum is a unique framework and platform for networking and interaction.

"Dubai is just the convener, the platform for the forum. But we envision this as a true regional reality that we want to build and express through the forum," he added.

Claude Smadja, former managing director of the World Econo-mic Forum and adviser to Dubai Strategy Forum, said 55 speakers had confirmed, though the list was expected to witness changes until the start of the forum. He expects about 1,000 participants.

Day one will have an orientation on governance and development of leadership in politics, business and the civil society. Day two will focus on global economic trends and the effect of economic processes and prospects on the region.

The final day will discuss ways to leverage technology, develop entrepreneurship and create innovation and creative forces, which is a prerequisite for a country to be successful in a knowledge-based society.