Istanbul, Turkey, 21 November 2006 – Four hundred participants are expected to participate in the World Economic Forum in Turkey to be held in Istanbul on 23 and 24 November. Under the theme Connecting Regions - Creating New Opportunities, the meeting will bring high-level international business and political leaders together with top Turkish business people and government officials. The second World Economic Forum to be held in Turkey since 1998 comes at a crucial time for Turkey; with the start of EU accession talks, the country has entered a new stage of economic and political development, which will require many tough choices.
The World Economic Forum in Turkey is built around four main pillars: geopolitics, Turkey’s EU accession, competitiveness and intercultural dialogue. In each of these areas there are risks ahead, but they are avoidable risks. Appropriate actions can promote Turkey as a vibrant, prosperous and secure country.
This is a crucial agenda for Turkish and European leaders. But the times demand no less. There are no guarantees to the maintenance of the positive constellation of factors that have sustained the alliance between Europe and Turkey for over 50 years – other than political and economic action, an explanation of realities and the dispelling of myths. Only proactive attitudes on the part of business and political leaders will mitigate the risks identified and take full advantage of the tremendous opportunities. (Read the full introductory discussion paper here)
“International corporations are very interested in Turkey as a growing market, given its high GDP growth and its business sophistication. Furthermore, many companies see Turkey as the ideal spring board for their expansion towards the Middle East and Central Asia," said Felix Howald, Director for Europe at the World Economic Forum, at a press conference in Istanbul. (Click on the picture to watch the full 5-minute interview)
A basis for the discussion is the Europe@Risk report released by the Forum's Global Risk Network, which highlights the fact that Turkey can help to counter some of the major global risks to Europe's future prosperity and security. According to the report, there are strong strategic opportunities for European risk mitigation in a positive, long-term and inclusive relationship between Turkey and Europe. These range from assisting Europe in overcoming major geopolitical risks and raising its geopolitical profile, and allowing Europe to enhance its energy security, to permitting Europe to overcome its demographic deficit and helping it address issues surrounding the integration of minorities. The report suggests a need to think beyond current problems in Europe's relationship with Turkey and focus on a wider, long-term picture of mutual gains in coping with common risks.
Thirteen Turkish government ministers are scheduled to participate in the meeting, led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan whose involvement will include a keynote address during the opening plenary session on 23 November, among other appearances. Six heads of state and government have confirmed their presence so far, including Valdas Adamkus, President of Lithuania; Parviz Davudi, Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Ahmed Mahmoud Nazif, Prime Minister of Egypt; Zurab Nogaideli, Prime Minister of Georgia; Bogdan Pascu, Deputy Prime Minister of Romania; and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar. Some of the ministers from Europe and the Middle East who will also participate include: Asen Gagauzov, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works of Bulgaria; Nikoloz Gilauri, Minister of Energy of Georgia; Branimir Gvozdenovic, Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of Montenegro; Micheál Martin, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment of Ireland; Mustapha Mechahouri, Minister of Foreign Trade of Morocco; Rachid M. Rachid, Minister of Trade and Industry of Egypt; and Mondher Zenaidi, Minister of Trade of Tunisia. Finally, the EU Commission will be represented by JoaquÃn Almunia, Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs; Neelie Kroes, Commissioner for Competition; Joost Lagendijk, Chairman, Delegation to EU-Turkey Joint Parliament Committee; and Silvana Koch-Mehrin, Member of the European Parliament. Gijs M. de Vries, Counter-terrorism Coordinator, Council of the European Union, will also take part.
Forty CEOs from the World Economic Forum's Partner and Member companies have confirmed their participation. The Co-Chairs of the meeting are: Victor Halberstadt, Professor of Public Economics, Leiden University, Netherlands; Muhtar A. Kent, President, Coca-Cola International, USA; Güler Sabanci, Chairperson and Managing Director, Sabanci Holding, Turkey; and Peter Sutherland, Chairman, Goldman Sachs International, United Kingdom. |