Business events

"Implications of the Global Economic Crisis for Africa"
Cape Town, South Africa, 10–12 June 2009

Faced with the prospect of a prolonged economic slowdown, global leaders are assessing the health and future of their respective economies. The birth of a new era is calling for an overhaul of our governance and financial systems and a return to responsible and accountable leadership.

At this critical juncture, the 19th World Economic Forum on Africa provides an important platform for world leaders to address the global and regional implications of the crisis and develop a new roadmap for Africa’s future. The launch of the 2009 Africa Competitiveness Report will provide valuable insight for these deliberations. Discussion will focus on the impact of the crisis on Africa’s traditional drivers of growth including foreign capital flows, demand for oil and commodities, and infrastructure development. A key focus will be on Africa’s investment climate and identifying practical solutions to foster better business practices and greater investment across the continent. Economic deliberations will be closely linked to important social and environmental issues including food security, climate change, healthcare and education.

Ruben Vardanian, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Troika Dialog Group will give a speech at the Forum.

Co-Chairs:

• Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, United Nations (1997 – 2006) and Member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum
• Soud Ba’alawy, Executive Chairman, Dubai Group, United Arab Emirates
• Jiang Jianqing, Chairman of the Board, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, People’s Republic of China
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank, Washington DC

• http://www.weforum.org/en/events/WorldEconomicForumonAfrica2009/index.htm