Jordan to host 2013 World Economic forum

Jordan is scheduled to host the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the Dead Sea area next year, according to an official announcement. Nearly 1000 participants from around the world will take part in the meeting, representing governments, businesses, civil societies and academia. "The ongoing developments in the MENA region warrant efforts to shape the new regional context to positively support socio-economic development and address youth issues, especially youth unemployment; and to answer our young people's cry for a normal future, in dignity and opportunity, in view of all the developments and challenges taking place in our MENA region," said a royal court statement. The gathering is expected to focus on policies and regional mechanisms that need to be in place to safeguard the prosperity of economies facing resource scarcity and rapid population growth and find the proven best practices for creating the conditions for youth-driven entrepreneurial growth. It will also shed light on how new governments in North Africa can respond to public expectations while also managing sustainable economic transitions, and the implications of the situation in Syria for interfaith and inter-communal relations in the MENA region. "Building on Jordan's recognised role in the region and internationally, the aim of 2013 meeting is to drive the dialogue needed to overcome long-standing fault lines and foster the spirit of multi-stakeholder partnerships that are so essential for ensuring peace and security at this time of fundamental change," said Miroslav Dusek, director and head of MENA at WEF, was quoted in a WEF statement as saying "[Jordan] looks forward to playing a very active role in helping achieve its [WEF] goals of enhancing regional cooperation and partnerships," he was quoted as saying.