King Adullah of Jordan on Friday opened the World Economic Forum on the Middle East with a rallying call to "end violence, to make peace, and to build the regional economic powerhouse of tomorrow."
"That future begins here and now with a leadership vision and proven capability assembled in this room and action that can be catalysed by your dialogue and partnership," the King told more than 1,200 participants from 56 countries - including 16 heads of state - gathered in a new convention centre on the shores of the Dead Sea.
King Abdullah emphasized that there is an historic opportunity to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement, and achieve it now; this year; before any more generations suffer; before any more destruction takes place.
The Arab, the King noted, countries are engaged in a major effort to achieve a just settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. In this regard, the Jordanian monarch mentione that late March, the Arab Peace Initiative was renewed unanimously by the Arab countries. “The absence of peace and the conditions of occupation have devastated Palestinian life.” King Abdullah noted, underling we, in Jordan, are doing all we can to build the momentum for peace. We know peace is attainable but is not easy.
There is, King Abdullah stressed, a new international will to resolve the crisis; it is no longer just a regional problem. And it is in the interest of this entire region and indeed the world that we succeed.
King Abdullah reaffirmed to stop thinking about peace as an end to conflict, but as a beginning, a beginning of a sweeping new opportunities and benefits for the people of this region. He added an era that will free human and financial resources for region-wide achievement and prosperity; moreover the King noted an era that will open new, cross-border opportunities that multiply the benefits of development and investment.
