DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 2 /PRNewswire/ —

- Collaborative private sector, proactive government and innovative art
can act as catalyst to bring about competitiveness and peace

The Arab world has immense potential to become one of the most
competitive regions in the world and innovation will be the key to harness
this latent creative energy, talent and financial resources to drive success,
achievements and recognition on the global platform. This was disclosed at
one of the townhall meetings during the 2008 World Summit of Innovation and
Entrepreneurship (WSIE) — the most inspiring gathering of its kind currently
under way in Dubai.

Being organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the 2008 WSIE being
held at Jumeirah Beach Hotel till April 3, 2008 has brought together over 800
delegates from all walks of life.

In his opening remarks at the debate focusing on Innovation for Peace –
Achieving Greatness, Transforming Societies, Sam Hamdan — the Chairman and
Chief Strategist of the Global Leadership Team and Architect of WSIE, said:
“The future of the Arab world belongs to the present majority of the youth
population. Innovation has a strong potential to achieve tangible social and
spiritual transformation to break the veils of poverty, extremism and
conflict.”
Urging world leaders to commit to solutions that empower young Arab
leaders with the knowledge, the resources and the policy environment needed
for their successful future, he said: “Two million children die each year for
a glass of clean water in Africa. When we are talking about thousands of
Iraqi children who do not have access to quality medication whereas they are
sitting on one of the largest oil reserves, we are compelled to ask — where
is the moral order? The need of the hour, I believe, is that the role of
innovation has to be improved because the entire future of the Arab world
depends on this.”
More than 800 attendees are expected over the three days of innovation
theatres, interactive workshops and thematic experiences to build a
foundation for increased innovation. The 2008 WSIE presents an impressive
line-up of remarkable leaders and personalities including designers,
policymakers, technologists, communicators, spiritual gurus, economists,
storytellers, humanitarians, chief executives and musicians from across the
globe. The 2008 WSIE is supported by the Organization for Economic
Co-Operation and Development (OECD), multiple agencies of the United Nations,
the African Union and leading international business councils and
multinational corporations. Strategic sponsors include Sorouh, HP, Agility,
Geopost, Nokia Siemens Networks with CNBC Arabiya as the official broadcaster
and Emirates Airlines as the official carrier.

About WSIE:

The World Summit on Innovation & Entrepreneurship (WSIE) is a non-profit
initiative that weaves together the brilliant thoughts of the most remarkable
people for the purpose of using innovation as the catalyst for
competitiveness and peace. The WSIE focuses primarily on developing the
future pipeline of responsible entrepreneurs and innovators by spurring
collaborative insights, inspiring actions and unlimited possibilities for
innovation across all parts of business, society and government.

About Global Leadership Team:

Global Leadership Team (GLT) is the world’s most distinctive innovation
management firm with networks in major media, culture, business, and
knowledge capitals around the world. GLT’s far-reaching net of more than 5000
relations in 100 countries, the firm continues to be the global architect for
change by connecting extraordinary people to solve the most pressing
challenges facing corporations and emerging governments. The firm focuses
primarily on emerging markets, and specializes in innovation strategies,
leadership relations, policy counseling and program management. To learn
more, please visit http://www.gltweb.com.

Web site: http://www.gltweb.com

World Summit on Innovation & Entrepreneurship