Libyan Prime Minister Shukri Ghanem is attending this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Ghanem is the Arab state’s first envoy to the forum in over 20 years.
Ghanem received an invitation to WEF’s 33rd session following Libyan President Moamer Kadhafi’s decision to surrender its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program, a move that could normalize relations with the United States and the European Union (EU). Some 2,280 participants from 94 countries will attend the annual event.
The forum, which runs from January 21-25, 2004, will be a rallying point for the international community to debate seven main threads: ensuring global security, promoting global growth, managing new risks, building corporate resilience, spurring innovation, harnessing the diversity of values, and reducing inequity.
Security will be a hot topic as US civil administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer is expected to make an appearance, accompanied by a delegation of Iraqi ministers. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is also on the guest list and Iran’s President Mohammad Khatami is scheduled to give a key address on the first day of meetings.
WEF is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world. The Forum provides a collaborative framework for the world's leaders to address global issues, engaging particularly its corporate members in global citizenship.
Incorporated as a foundation, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, WEF is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. The Forum has NGO consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
