JORDAN, 21st May, 2017 (WAM) -- The World Economic Forum, WEF, has named Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, as the Chair of the World Economic Forum's Regional Business Council, RBC, for the Middle East and North Africa.

Her appointment was announced by Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of WEF, in the presence of a number of government officials and senior business leaders at the forum, which took place from 19th to 21st May in Jordan.

Sheikha Bodour will lead the council in pioneering transformative solutions to the regions big societal challenges.

Her appointment, the first woman to Chair the RBC, comes in recognition of her pioneering efforts in addressing key regional socio-economic challenges around competitiveness, youth employment, entrepreneurship, enhancing governance and ensuring institutional quality for inclusive growth, education reform and peace-building.

Following the announcement of her appointment, Sheikha Bodour participated in a number of discussion panels at the forum. In the session Stewarding a Policy Framework for Generational Transformation, she underlined the need to extend bridges of communication between the council and the Regional Strategy Group, RSG, of which she is a member. Exploring areas where policy reform is required, she called for greater discussions on issues such as economic integration and diversification, job creation, education and training, healthcare and social development, in order to be able to agree on a regional agenda and the future role and mandate of the RSG.

Highlighting the regions major challenges and opportunities, Sheikha Bodour said, "The Middle East is on the threshold of a new phase of growth. While a world of opportunities lies ahead, it is more important than ever for us to tread carefully and to place a strong focus on building integrated, inclusive and sustainable economies that are beneficial to all parties."In the session New Concepts: Arab World from History to Fiction, Sheikha Bodour discussed questions of regional identity, diversity and a shared future from the perspective of literature, highlighting the key literary concepts needed in the Arab world to achieve a more inclusive future for the region.

"I believe in the role of books and the power of the word in changing peoples lives, especially those living in countries affected by crises and wars. This is what has prompted me to establish Kalimat Foundation for Childrens Empowerment, with its key mission being to ensure childrens access to reading by providing refugee libraries with children's books. In these countries, there are many children who are living in especially difficult circumstances that deprive them of their right to education, thereby denying their right to imagine and dream of a better future. This is why the role of stories and novels is extremely important in providing children with the tool that enables them to realise their hopes and dreams," said Sheikha Bodour.

Stressing the need for Arab authors to write about their history and for them to have a platform that would allow them to become a powerful voice for their community, Sheikha Bodour said, "I truly believe in the book's ability to be a window for communities to achieve cultural exchange and a mirror that reflects what is happening in Arab societies." A delegation of government officials and economic experts from Sharjah was also present at the forum, with its members meeting with leading business, government and civil society leaders from over 50 nations to advance public-private cooperation on issues deemed critical for the future of the MENA region.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.