RIYADH: Nearly 1,000 leaders from 92 countries will gather in Riyadh on Sunday and Monday for a special meeting of the World Economic Forum on global cooperation, development and energy for growth.
Building on the inaugural development summit in Switzerland last year, the Riyadh meeting, according to the WEF, will “promote a forward-thinking approach to interconnected crises, while remaining realistic about short-term trade-offs” and “bridge the growing North South divisions over issues such as emerging economic policies, the energy transition and geopolitical shocks.
WEF President Borge Brende said in a press release: “With geopolitical tensions and socio-economic inequalities deepening divisions globally, international cooperation and purposeful dialogue have never been more urgent.”
According to Brende, the special meeting, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, provided an opportunity for leaders to “transform ideas into action and unlock scalable solutions to address the many interconnected challenges.”
Faisal Al-Ibrahim, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, said in the release: “At this global inflection point, revitalizing international cooperation has never been more important. In Saudi Arabia, the World Economic Forum has chosen an established and dynamic global platform for thought leadership, solutions and action as the host of an important meeting at such a critical moment.
“We are working to ensure that progress in one part of the world does not come at the expense of another. And we are committed to meeting this moment with a determination to co-build a shared future that is secure, stable and sustainable,” he continued.
The event has three themes: ‘A Compact for Inclusive Growth,’ ‘Catalytic Action on Energy for Development,’ and ‘Revitalizing Global Cooperation.’
Participants included Emir of Kuwait Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Kemal Madbouly; Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani; Bisher al-Khasawneh, Prime Minister of Jordan; Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif; Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas; Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani; US Secretary of State Antony Blinken; Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; Stéphane Séjourn, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs; Annalena Baerbock, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany; David Cameron, UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag; and World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.