FIKR16 Conference Opens With Focus On Enhancing Regional Stability

Under the patronage and presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the FIKR16 Conference opened with keynote addresses by His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal, President of the Arab Thought Foundation (ATF), and Dr. Henri El-Awit, Director General of ATF.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said: “It was my privilege to attend the inauguration of Fikr16 in Dubai along with my brother and friend H.R.H. Khalid Al Faisal. The conference discusses “Stabilization” which entails effort, consistent work, sustainable development and ongoing progress. Stability results from our relentless effort to build and maintain a better life. It is also a continuous search for a better future for our societies. We are proud of this gathering. We call upon our fellows to invest in the knowledge and expertise required to develop our societies and drive the new Arab renaissance. Positive change requires that we unify all our efforts, each in their field, to serve the future of our countries and to help achieve sustainable stability and prosperity.”

Taking place at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai between the 10^th and 12^th of April, the Conference opening ceremony and subsequent panel sessions were attended by: His Royal Highness Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al Faisal, Chairman of ATF; His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al Faisal, Chairman of the Board of Directors at King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies; the Arab Thought Foundation’s Board of Directors and Board of Trustees; as well as numerous high-caliber intellectuals, academics, scientists and diplomats.

During the opening ceremony, Dr. Henri El-Awit addressed attendees, welcoming everyone to the Conference and thanking H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the United Arab Emirates for their support and generosity. Dr. Henri reflected on the current state of the Arab World and identified that it was facing internal and external challenges for which intellectuals and policy makers should be encouraged to address and aid in stabilizing the region. He stressed on how pertinent it was for Arab states to establish law, order and reform – promoting good governance, eradication of corruption, and a swift move towards modernization, youth development, transparency and ridding the region from terrorism as a whole.