World figures gather today for global competitiveness forum

World figures gather today for global competitiveness forum
3 day economic event begins in kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) today plays host to 100 global figures and over 1500 delegates, as the three day Global Competitiveness Forum 2009 (GCF 2009) commences in Riyadh today.
GCF 2009, under the patronage of His Majesty the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, will foster debate and discussion around a central theme of responsible competitiveness.
This event, immediately prior to the World Economic Forum in Davos, occurs following newly sworn in American President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech which called for a new age of responsibility.   This is consistent with the goals of GCF 2009.
Last November, the Group of 20 (G20) met in Washington DC to coordinate their response to the Global Financial Crisis.  The G20 will meet again in April, so GCF 2009 is preparing an open letter from the global leaders meeting in Riyadh with advice concerning the crisis.  The leaders at GCF 2009 include political, business, financial, and thought leaders from around the world.
In the first keynote speech, Carlos Ghosn, President and GEO Nissan Motors, will be addressing GCF 2009 ahead of the first session on responsible competitiveness. This session will cover topics including the role of responsible business in enhancing national competitiveness, and how firms can compete responsibly amid crisis.
Also speaking on the opening day of the Conference will be Thomas Enders, CEO Airbus SAS; HE Mohammad Hassan Omran, Chairman of Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, Etisalat;  Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman of Nestle SA; and Mary Robinson, 7th President of Ireland, who will be closing the first day’s sessions.
Today’s sessions will also cover the energy evolution, asking questions such as how renewable energy can gain scale and sustainability. The afternoon discussions will debate the food industry, in particular exploring how nations can compete responsibly in world food markets and the outlook for both industrial and organic agriculture. A fourth session will look to the role of the arts in enhancing a nation’s competitiveness and why the arts are important to a thriving society.
In welcoming speakers and delegates to GCF, SAGIA Governor His Excellency Amr Al Dabbagh, commented,
“We are delighted to welcome so many highly regarded speakers to GCF 2009. This is our third GCF, and perhaps most important, given the current economic climate. The discussions and speeches at this year’s event will encourage lively debate as to how the World can address the economic downturn which it is currently facing.”
AbdulMohsen Al Badr, Chief Executive of GCF also said,
“This is an event that allows globally influential figures in politics, business and sport to network and share ideas on how nations can increase their competitiveness. The timing of GCF couldn’t be more crucial, with Davos taking place immediately after this event, we believe that GCF will play a pivotal role in shaping the agenda for surviving the current economic crisis.”