Preparations are well underway to host the World Economic Forum May 5-7, 2010, and for the first time in its 20 year history, the event will be held in East Africa. Tanzania was chosen as the host country in September of 2009.

The economic crisis has led to a reassessment of the systems governing global cooperation, financial architecture and policies linked to trade and climate change, and the forum will be the tangible implementation of long-discussed reforms. “The World Economic Forum on Africa is an important opportunity to take the pulse each year of the most influential of Africa’s stakeholders. We look forward to holding the meeting in Tanzania at a time when the whole East Africa region is expected to experience stronger growth,” said Andre Schneider, Managing Director, World Economic Forum.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete articulated the enthusiasm of the host country, “It is an honour for Tanzania to host the 2010 World Economic Forum on Africa. We are looking forward to welcoming the community, which I am confident will continue to make important contributions in our collective quest for a better world. It is heartening to see the positive impact that the World Economic Forum has on key issues of global concern. This unique gathering regularly convenes a very diverse group of friends of the continent who are united in their optimism of what Africa can, must and will achieve.”

President Kikwete will be welcoming over 700 international leaders to his country, including South African president Zuma, and Pascal Lamy of the World Trade Organization, who will gather to discuss the event’s theme of “Rethinking Africa’s Growth Strategy” at the forum’s first meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Leaders in business, government, civil society, media and academia will address the issue of how African nations can manage relations with key economic partners and capitalise on greater corporation amongst southern nations.

The Forum’s Youth Global Leaders Summit will be held concurrently during the forum, also in Dar es Salaam, and will incorporate over 200 future leaders in the meeting. The potential of the youth population of Africa, its natural resources and market potential will also be analysed for their potential to be catalysts for significant future growth and development.

“The WEF believes that underlying blockages to social and economic progress must be addressed to harness this potential. There will a focus on issues such as access to education, healthcare and affordable capital, and debates on new models of governance and a unified approach to ensuring peace and security in troubled areas,” reads the World Economic Forum’s statement.

http://www.weforum.org

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