WASHINGTON — The third annual U.S.-Arab Economic Forum, hosted by the American Middle East Economic Affairs Committee (AMEEAC) in cooperation with the League of Arab States, will be held here May 7-9, 2008. The Forum strives to enhance bilateral relations between the U.S. and Middle East.  By bringing together top business, government, academic, and cultural leaders, the Forum acts as a catalyst for change and facilitates economic collaboration, cultural dialogue and innovation.

This year the Forum will be addressed by Saudi Prince Saud Al-Faisal Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, minister of foreign affairs for Saudi Arabia.  Appointed in 1975, Al Faisal is among the longest serving foreign ministers in the world and has been a prominent figure in the international community.  Currently, he is also the managing director of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development.

Al-Faisal said in 2003 at the USAEF, “It is our hope that the turmoil our region has undergone in the past few years will be replaced by stability, prosperity, and peace.  For this to happen, we must focus on finding solutions to the region’s problems and improving the lives of its inhabitants.  The United States can play a constructive role by providing leadership, talent and resources.  And the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum can help shed light on the importance of trade and economic development not only in the region, but to American businesses as well.”

Amr Moussa

This year’s forum has the theme “Open Markets and Open Societies.” Key issues will include promoting the role of women in business, enhancing cultural understandings of the Arab world with the West, bridging the gap in innovation: strengthening partnerships in science between the U.S. and the Arab World, increasing free trade and investment, and addressing the vacillating bias’ of media and media responsibility. For more information visit //usaef.ameeac.org.