Southwest Asia

Reshaping Economic Security in Southwest Asia and the Middle East

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The 9th Worldwide Security Conference brought together some 300 high-level policy makers, business and investment executives and public opinion leaders from all over the world to brainstorm on the central theme of economic security and deliberate on practical breakthroughs.

The choice of this year’s theme of the conference reflects the critical importance both of economic security in the 21st century and of the broad region of Southwest Asia and the Middle East - in light of the 2014 withdrawal from Afghanistan and the consequences of profound change unfolding in the region. These present significant challenges and opportunities for the public and private sectors worldwide.

Over thirty speakers participated, including high-level officials from the region and beyond, heads of regional and international organizations, key business and investment executives, and acknowledged independent experts. They met in six sessions:

> Economic Security and Regional Cooperation in Southwest Asia and the Middle East: Regional perspective [Watch]

> New Directions for Water-Energy-Food Security Policies in Southwest Asia and the Middle East [Watch]

> Afghanistan and its Neighbors: Regional Imperatives with Economic Security [Watch]

> Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus: Enhancing the Role of Private Sector Investment in the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa [Watch]

> Addressing Economic Security through More Effective Regional Policy Frameworks [Watch]

> Conclusions and Next Steps [Watch]

Nobel laureate, former president of Finland and member of EWI board, Martti Ahtisaari opened the conference with a keynote address. [Watch] [Read]

> To read a full report from the conference, click here.

> A roundup of conference media coverage is available here.

From the welcome remarks by Ross Perot, Jr.:

It is a pleasure to welcome you to this evening’s awards program. As chairman of the EastWest Institute, I have long been impressed by the outstanding work our organization is doing to make this world a safer and better place. EWI’s Parliamentarians Network for Conflict Prevention has brought us the

distinction of working side by side with two of tonight’s honorees, the Hon. Dr. Fehmida Mirza of Pakistan and the Hon. Ms. Shinkai Karokhail of Afghanistan. These impressive leaders have worked in exceptionally challenging environments, embodying the courage that will be needed to bring about substantial, lasting change for the better.

Our honorees will be jointly presented with the first-ever H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Award for Values-based Leadership, named for the wife of the late Sheikh Zayed of the United Arab Emirates. Known as "the mother of
the nation," she founded the first UAE women’s organization: the Abu Dhabi Society for the Awakening of Women in 1973. She also launched a nationwide campaign for the education of young girls.

I am also honored to welcome the Hon. Mr. Koichiro Gemba, who now serves as Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. A reform-minded leader, Gemba has worked to enhance his country’s energy policies, agriculture and fiscal structure. We will present EWI’s International Peace Building Award to Gemba, which he will accept on behalf of the people of Japan for their commitment to the nation and people of Afghanistan.

I would also like to extend my warmest welcome to our many distinguished guests in attendance tonight, especially those representing Afghanistan, Pakistan and the UAE. We are especially honored to hear from H. E. Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan.

Thank you for joining us and I hope that you will continue to support the EastWest Institute’s efforts to enhance peace and security throughout the world.