Workshop "Challenges 2009", a one-day workshop aimed at obtaining valuable inputs
for the 2009 World Economic Forum (WEF), opened today (Wednesday, April 23, 2008),
at the Shangri-La Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister
of Foreign Affairs, and sponsored by OC Oerlikon and Schindler, the workshop
gathered CEO attendees of WEF 2008, Swiss Business Councils, and prominent UAE
private and public sector representatives to discuss international political,
economic, financial, and energy challenges.
H.E. Eng. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, led key speakers
with an inspiring speech titled "Economic Challenges 2009." Other speakers included
H.E. Sultan Nasser Al Suwaidi, UAE Central Bank Governor, who spoke of international
financial challenges; and Mr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of Gulf Research Institute
in Dubai; who discoursed on global political issues.
"After four years of solid performance, the global economy shifted into an
imbalanced state following the mortgage crisis of mid-2007. This volatility can
today be observed in equity markets, commodity prices and exchange rates; it
threatens most of those countries with significant current account deficits, pegged
exchange rates, and banking sectors that have borrowed heavily from international
funds. Although rapidly developing countries such as the UAE have remained
relatively unaffected by the sharp worldwide market downturn, we are being affected
by other forces such as climatic change, pollution, and climbing oil prices, which
pose their own unique adverse global economic effects," said Al Mansouri.
Nick Beglinger, Managing Partner, Maxmakers Ltd. - Switzerland, delivered a speech
titled "Challenges of Sustainable Development: How the Swiss Village in MASDAR City
Can Contribute," while Mrs. Zahra Darvish, Vice President, Center of Accessibility.
Credit Suisse, expounded on "The Challenge of the Private Sector and Human Security:
A Concrete Example from Credit Suisse." A Questions and Answers Session with the
CEOs and business councils followed the two speeches, moderated by Mrs. Razan Al
Mubarak, Director of The Emirates Wildlife Society's World Wide Fund for Nature.
The event also featured the "Swiss Ambassador's Award," a new recognition introduced
by recently appointed Abu Dhabi-based Swiss Ambassador H.E. Wolfgang Amadeus
Bruelhart. The accolade was presented to five individuals who have made special and
long time contributions to enhancing bilateral relations between Switzerland and the
UAE. UAE fine art and jewellery designer Mrs. Azza Al Qubaisi designed the award
sculpture, which combines Swiss and UAE elements.
"The heavy responsibility is now placed on our shoulders to direct our respective
sectors to assist in the recovery of the world's currently disoriented economic
climate. We have been invited to gather here today to make a stand for future global
progress, which can only be done through collaboration, careful planning, and
visionary decision making. We indeed have an extremely difficult yet possible
journey ahead of us; I commend you all for being here to lead the first steps,"
concluded Al Mansouri.
