High-level political leaders will gather at the upcoming Beirut Institute Summit Abu Dhabi edition III to launch in-depth discussions of the most pressing issues and opportunities awaiting the region in the 2020s decade.

The third edition of the Summit—titled “Thinking 2020s: What to expect? How to prepare?”—will run on October 13 and 14.

It will see 160 Arab and international speakers from 35 countries meet to explore the most urgent priorities forming the agenda of the 2020s, and look ahead to the realistic solutions and influential policy options to re-position the Arab region on the global map.

The speakers will range from decision-makers, prominent subject matter experts and thinkers to civil society representatives, youth leaders and trendsetters and pioneering women.

Prior to the launch of the third Beirut Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi, a press conference will be held by the Summit’s co- chairs, HH Prince Turki Al-Faisal, a member of Beirut Institute’s board of directors; and Dr Raghida Dergham, the founder and executive chairman of Beirut Institute.

To be held at the St Regis Hotel on the Abu Dhabi Corniche on October 12, the press conference will set out the Summit’s itinerary and major participants and speakers, as well as the names of the five honourees of the Beirut Institute Exceptional Excellence Recognition.

Prince Turki Al Faisal said: “As 1441 AH, corresponding to 2019, draws to a close, and a new decade beckons for our Arab region, it’s incumbent on us to delve deeper into our situation and aspirations. In the intellectual impetus generated by Beirut Institute, there are opportunities for wisdom and insight to bring forth bright ideas responding to all manner of concerns, reflecting the talent and capability inherent in our region.”

Dr Dergham stated: “The Arab region currently stands at a crossroads requiring it to keep up with geopolitical transformations and economic and social changes, and achieve the technological progress anticipated for the 2020s. These matters will be discussed in depth at our third Summit.”

“The Summit is a reflection of Beirut Institute itself, and what it represents as a think tank rooted in the Arab region, yet with a global dimension; an independent platform providing critical analysis preempting the challenges and opportunities posed by the coming decade—challenges that require creative solutions and constructive recommendations in order to reinforce the position of the Arab region, activate its productive sectors, and harness the power of its women and youth to lead the way and innovate,” she added.

As in previous editions, the Summit will witness high-level Arab and international participation from the US, Europe, Russia, China, Latin America, Africa, Australia, and all over the Middle East.

The Summit will also take the unique approach of gathering bright young talents and trendsetters side-by-side with established thought leaders.

Beirut Institute will once again pay tribute to outstanding achievement, this time celebrating five Arab and international pioneers who have excelled in the fields of politics, arts, technology, and humanitarianism, whose accomplishments will be acknowledged by the Beirut Institute Exceptional Excellence Recognition.

In its third edition, the summit teams up with PwC Middle East, one of the world’s largest professional services firms as the Summit’s official Knowledge partner.

PwC will support pulling together the 2019 Beirut Institute Summit Declaration and developing the policy recommendation report following the summit. The report will include the contribution of all participants’ remarkable expertise and collaborative conversations. This unique partnership has the potential to stimulate positive change and further progress on key matters and discourses in the region. – TradeArabia News Service