World Economic Forum : President Erdogan to Open World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Unlocking Resources for Regional Development in Istanbul

Amelie Weinzierl, Media Associate, Public Engagement; Tel.: [phone], [e-mail]

• More than 500 participants from business, civil society and government, including heads of state and government, will convene under the theme Unlocking Resources for Regional Development
• Shifting energy dynamics; physical, financial and digital infrastructure as drivers of growth; building more inclusive and entrepreneurial economies; and Turkey's role in the context of the upcoming G20 chairmanship top the agenda
• More information about the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Unlocking Resources for Regional Development can be found at http://wef.ch/eume14

Istanbul, Turkey, 25 September 2014 - The World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Unlocking Resources for Regional Development will take place in Istanbul on 28-29 September 2014. The meeting will bring together more than 500 leaders from business, government, academia and civil society from over 70 nations. This will be the fourth World Economic Forum gathering in Turkey, an important gateway between Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.

The context of the meeting will be highlighted at a press conference in Istanbul on Sunday 28 September at the Hilton Bomonti Hotel with Volkan Bozkir, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Ministry of EU Affairs of Turkey; H. Cuneyd Zapsu, Chairman, Cuneyd Zapsu Danismanlik, Turkey; and Nicholas Davis, Director, Head of Europe, World Economic Forum, followed by an introduction to the programme by the meeting's Programme Champions: Majid Jafar,Chief Executive Officer, Crescent Petroleum; Uwe Krüger, Chief Executive, WS Atkins; Tarek Sultan Al Essa, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of the Board, Agility; and Afsin Yurdakul, Chief Foreign Editor, Habertürk TV.

The programme is shaped around four sub-themes: Turkey's vision and future, particularly in regard to its G20 leadership; shifting energy dynamics across the region; the future of physical and digital infrastructure; and entrepreneurial models that increase inclusive growth. Discussions will focus on innovative ways that businesses, governments and civil society can increase competitiveness by diversifying economies, thereby lifting growth rates and enhancing trade and investment in human capital.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, the country's first directly elected head of state, will open the meeting and outline his vision for Turkey and the region, highlighting opportunities for Turkey's regional and global leadership.

Key public figures participating in the meeting include Almazbek Atambayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic; José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission; Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government; Ahmet Davutoğlu, Prime Minister of Turkey; Seif Sharif Hamad, First Vice-President of Zanzibar; Moussa Mara, Prime Minister of Mali; Giorgi Margvelashvili, President of Georgia; and Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Commenting on the economic and social challenges confronting Europe, Nicholas Davis, Director and Head of Europe, World Economic Forum, said that he believes the meeting could advance collective growth by finding common ground between Europe and its neighbours: "As economic, political and social issues become more and more interconnected, there is an ever-greater need to facilitate trust-based dialogue to respond to the aspirations of citizens in Europe, MENA and Eurasia."

Philipp Rösler, Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum, said: "There has rarely been a more critical time to meet and discuss ways to unlock resources across Europe, MENA and Eurasia. It is particularly important to discuss ways to manage the risk of geopolitical turmoil, and to create a stable environment for sustainable growth."

Notes to Editors

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