In the message, the Monarch said that "our region's resources and energies, it can play a key role in formulating crisis exit strategies and contribute effectively to the debate on a new global development model that puts human dignity at the center of its concerns," noting that the MENA region "has been doing well in terms of the pace at which it is overcoming the adverse effects of the global economic and financial crisis. By year’s end, our growth rate should be encouraging and prospects for the coming year are likely to be just as promising."
HM the king said that the region "is particularly rich in natural resources, especially with regard to energy production - from both mineral and renewable resources. It also has enormous human resources and is home to five per cent of the world population, most of whom are young."
“From the geopolitical angle, the importance of our region is enhanced by its exceptional location, thanks to which it can play an essential part in promoting exchange and cooperation. It is a bridge between vibrant Asian economies, Euro - Mediterranean partnership opportunities, and Africa’s significant potential for development,” he added.
The MENA region, he went on, is facing two major challenges. The first one concerns the ability to support growth, accelerate its pace, enhance competitiveness and attract investment in order to create jobs, close the gap between the rich and the poor, and put the citizen at the heart of the development process, while preserving basic economic and financial stability.
The second challenge, he said, concerns the region's ability to position itself on the global economic map - now and in the future - by becoming an influential regional bloc that builds on a common strategy when dealing with the outside world; a strategy that is not only grounded in regional integration but one that also allows for fruitful cooperation partnerships with our partners across the world.
Speaking on this occasion, Founder, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab said the forum will enable MENA countries to better understand the future.
This meeting, which is a recognition of economic and social achievements made by Morocco in recent years, will examine the new economic challenges faced by countries in the region, Schwab added, noting that the main purpose of this forum is the control of interconnectivity and the development of cooperation based on innovation.
Themed "sense, resilience and prosperity", the three-day event is attended by an array of decision-makers, businessmen, and civil society shareholders at the regional and international levels.
The forum, which brings together prominent economists and analysts from all over the world, is meant to tackle the most appropriate growth and development strategy for the region in a context marked by the economic downturn, oil volatile prices, water shortage and immigration.
It will be also a platform to understand, collectively, the post-crisis reality.
The Forum will address the issue of the sovereign wealth funds and their growing orientation towards a regional commitment to crucial sectors such as renewable energy, health and social systems, infrastructure development and technological breakthroughs.
The event will touch on three themes namely "regional responses to global risks", "encouraging a sustainable growth" and "North Africa: New regions of commercial partnership".