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   Government and business leaders from 31 countries will be meeting in Dubai in October to discuss the future of the region. Ben Smalley looks at the upcoming Dubai Strategy Forum.

   More than 1,000 of the region’s government, business and social leaders will meet at the Dubai Strategy Forum in October to discuss ways of promoting economic growth, and how best to tackle the pressing issues of globalisation.

   The second Dubai Strategy Forum is being held under the theme ‘Creating Networks of Growth’ in recognition of the belief that the future of over 30 countries across the Middle East, North and East Africa, and Central and South Asia lies in the formation of regional alliances.

   The forum will bring together government and business leaders, along with key representatives from academia, the media and civil society, to engage in open dialogue, discussion and debate about how the region can play a larger role in the global economy.

   His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, said: “Our region is at a crossroads and we must realise that our fates are inexorably tied. We have a stark choice before us: succeed as one region or fail. We can do nothing and stifle growth, or forge constructive alliances that create new opportunities. The choice is ours.

   “The Dubai Strategy Forum is the beginning of a process to create momentum for growth. The forum is about dialogue, debate and networks that create new opportunities for peace, progress and prosperity for our common region and our common future. Through the partnership of government and business leaders, academia and media a deliberate forward-thinking approach to global issues that effects us all can be achieved.”

   Last year’s forum primarily focused on the future of Dubai, and was described by Sheikh Mohammed as a ‘timely opportunity’ for private sector and government leaders to ‘come together for a shared learning experience.’

   “With a number of top academic experts who joined us for the occasion, we have identified the new economic future,” he said. “It also helped us make the distinction between the hype that has surrounded 'new economy' developments and the new business realities that are actually there.

   “The program of the forum was conceived to provide a privileged framework for fruitful networking, not only among Dubai’s business executives and government decision-makers, but also with the renowned speakers who shared their knowledge and experience with us.

   “Our discussion at the Dubai Strategy Forum allowed us to think together in a very interactive way about where Dubai should be heading and how. It was also a very effective and valuable opportunity for an update on the latest business, technological and scientific management trends reshaping the environment in which we operate.”

   The scope of this year’s forum has been expanded to cover a region, which comprises a population of 1.8 billion people - one third of the Earth’s population - yet accounts for just five percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an estimated US$ 1.5 trillion.

   Economists acknowledge, however, that the region is poised for notable growth, and the program for the Dubai Strategy Forum 2002 has been established in recognition of the countries involved having joint responsibility for enhancing the region’s collective influence on the global economy.

   Chairman of the Dubai Strategy Forum, Mohammed Al Gergawi, said: “The region that is dubbed ‘the third world’ by many economists and media, actually houses one third of the world’s people. In doing so, it is showing its impact on a wide range of important global issues.

   “The forum collateral stresses the need for regional leaders to take steps to shape the region’s collective future - not to leave tomorrow to chance and unmanaged influences. It is our responsibility as leaders, whatever our sphere, to play our part in advancing the economies within which we work and live.”

   Mr Gergawi is fast to acknowledge the commendable achievements of the region to date, but stresses that future development is best taken to full potential by cooperation among neighboring markets.

   “Business alliances at all levels are essential for economic growth,” he said. “To some, the use of the word synergy may appear weak, but when we say that ‘synergy is key for accelerated and sustained growth’, we mean it. The Dubai Strategy Forum 2002 is designed as the linchpin to stir action.”

   He said that ‘knowledge sharing by leaders among leaders’ is essential, and stressed that the forum is structured to encourage complete freedom of speech and opinion among more than 25 keynote speakers and 1,000 invited delegates.

   “This is a forum for the region, by the region, and will encourage dialogue, discussion, as well as debate, aimed at creating workable strategies geared to our mutual bottom-line success,” he said.

   International and regional speakers from a variety of business, government and academic spheres will each lead main forum presentations and, in many cases, facilitate workshops where the objective will be business-to-business and business-to-government cooperation designed to achieve economic growth.

   The forum is being supported by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the National Bank of Dubai, the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), Emirates airline, Gulf News and Dubai Media City, who are also acting as ‘Organising Partners’ to help steer the forum to achieve its goals.

   Douglas Dowie, General Manager of the National Bank of Dubai, said: “More than ever before, indeed almost daily, we must all become increasingly global in our thinking, and to survive, we must be prepared to draw in and draw on the best business practices. This knowledge transfer will enable us to continue to participate fully in the future development of the markets of the UAE and the region in a truly global environment.

   “When planning a strategy, there should be no limit to creative thinking and the more participants there are, the better the end result. Of course the key driver of any strategy is speed of implementation, because in today's fast-paced environment, it will be actions not words that will enable us to move forward.

   “The direction is clear - and the Dubai Strategy Forum will help us all discover the steps we need to take to ensure we are all able to contribute to build a successful future. With more than 25 world leaders taking the platform, and over 1,000 participants contributing to and participating in discussions and debates, the forum promises to be one of the most exciting and informative events ever held in Dubai.”

   One of the confirmed speakers at the forum will be Samuel DiPiazza, the global CEO of PricewaterhouseCoppers, while the others - comprising world leaders, high-ranking government decision-makers, prominent business executives, renowned international experts, cultural icons and distinguished intellectuals - have yet to be announced.

   PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Amin Nasser said: “We are looking forward to exploring the extraordinary opportunities in this region and discussing the challenges for the future. However, only by building economic bridges to network this region will the extraordinary opportunities be brought to fruition for the benefit of the people.”

   The first day of the three day event, which will be held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s Convention Centre from October 28-30, will focus on how governments need to evolve, if not revolutionise, their approach and culture to better fit the demands of economic and commercial growth.

   Day two will spotlight economic and business issues, including looking at how a country’s strategic development would do well to consider the global strategies of multinational corporations, while the final day sees technology under the spotlight, as well as a panel discussion to close this year’s event.

   The panel is set to comprise business, media and opinion leaders from home and abroad and will address the question: ‘What will the region look like in five years time?’

   “It is high time that a meeting of minds produces roadmaps conducive to action and this is another difference about the Dubai Strategy Forum 2002,” Mr Gergawi said. “The forum is structured to ensure the production of realistic ideas, concepts and strategies ripe for immediate implementation for win-win scenarios.”