James Wolfensohn to speak today

Dubai, 15th November 2008: World business and political leaders kicked off discussions today (November 16th) at the Leaders in Dubai Business Forum 2008 focusing on the worsening global financial crisis. Carrying the theme of 'Emerging Strategies for Tomorrow's Challenges,' the forum's discussions are expected to concentrate on the ramifications of the global credit crunch and the subsequent meltdown of the financial system on regional economies. The election of Barak Obama and his expected foreign policy positions will be discussed and debated.

Expected to attract 1,500 participants from over 40 countries, Leaders in Dubai brings together more than 20 international speakers and hundreds of regional business leaders including James Wolfensohn, Rudolph Giuliani, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Rajat Gupta and Dave Ulrich. Moreover, five of the Arab world's most influential business leaders will participate in Al-Rouad (the Pioneers in Arabic) panel debate. Speakers include: Sameer Al-Ansari, Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Fadi Ghandour and Mohammad Al-Jasser.

"The current global economic crisis provides us with a unique opportunity to be bold and creative in our effort to make sustainable business practices a matter of fact rather than a matter of personal preference," said Fadi Ghandour, founder and CEO of Aramex. "It has become obvious that CSR (corporate social responsibility) and good governance are by far the most important features of any company that takes all its stakeholders seriously and embraces both financial and non-financial returns on investments. Our primary focus, therefore, should be on how to make them essential corporate attributes rather than just worthy but novel pursuits."

Apart from the financial crisis, major issues concerning globalisation, human capital, diplomacy and corporate motivation are set to be discussed.

"The Leaders in Dubai Business Forum takes place this year while major structural shifts are occurring in the world," said Lucy Mountain, Conference Director. "I believe that if world leaders are prepared to collaborate on a global level, by truly looking for innovative and effective long term solutions to these global issues, the world business community may be able to bring better assess the current risks and begin to develop solutions aimed at restoring global confidence in the now shattered financial system."

The Leaders in Dubai Business Forum 2008 is supported by Citi, Nokia, Amlak Finance, Etisalat, Al Mal Capital, wasl, the InterContinental Hotel and Cadillac. Media Partners include Al-Arabiya News Channel and CNN.

For more information and registration, please visit www.leadersindubai.com.

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About Leaders Presents - part of IIR
'Leaders Presents' is a new division of IIR Middle East designed to provide the IIR delegate a new level of conference experience. Born from the success of the Annual Leaders in Dubai Business Forum, Leaders' events stand out from the rest by providing a superior level of speaker, ensuring up-to-date topics and maintaining an all-around level of excellence throughout the execution of their events. The flagship event - Leaders in Dubai - is a meeting of over 1,500 of the regions' most eminent business leaders from across all industries who come together with some of the most popular business, economic and political leaders from across the globe - to network, learn and debate on the future of business and to share their experiences. Leaders Presents has launched a number of other highly successful events recently including the acclaimed Management Innovation Forum, which was launched in 2007 and met with rave reviews, and the Middle East Business Achievement Awards which honors regional business leaders for their excellence and contribution to business. 2008 now sees the launch of a variety of new 'Leaders Presents' events - all of which promise to evoke thought and creativity, and give real value to the delegates who attend.  Speakers current and past at 'Leaders Presents' events include Colin Powell, Jack Welch, Bill Clinton, Richard Branson, Kofi Annan, Michael Porter, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Tom Peters, and Malcolm Gladwell.

For more information, please contact:
Lucy Mountain
Project Manager
Tel + 971 (0) 4 336 5161  
Email: lucy.mountain@iirme.com

For media requests, please contact:
Jean-Renaud Durbin
General Manager
GSM +971 (50) 695 3301
Phone +971 (4)  337 2824
Email  jeanrenaud@tcf-me.com
P.O. Box 29764
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Fax +971 (4) 337 2825

© Press Release 2008