|
The
world cannot wait: Fourtou tells press conference
 |
| ICC President
Jean-René Fourtou |
Paris,
17 May 2004
- ICC Chairman and Vivendi Universal CEO, Jean-René Fourtou told
journalists today the key message of ICC's upcoming 35th World Congress
in Marrakesh was that when it came to embracing globalization, "the
world cannot afford to hesitate".
Speaking at a press
conference to announce the growing list of high-level speakers at Marrakesh
and the main congress themes, Mr Fourtou said the time had come for business
and political leaders alike "to stand up and be counted for the global
economy."
"The world is
hesitating," he said. "Hesitating between expansion and contraction.
Hesitating between openness and protectionism.
"We are at a
crucial point in the development of the global economy, and if we want
to see its benefits spread to all corners of the world, we cannot afford
to hesitate."
He said the timing
of the Congress, three days before the opening of the G8 leaders summit
in the USA and midway through WTO talks on the
future of the Doha trade
round, was "deliberate and crucial".
"Our aim in Marrakesh
is to show that everyone aspires to economic and social development and
that the best way to achieve that is by the international exchange of
goods, ideas and capital," he said. "That is to say, participation
in the global economy."
ICC's 35th World Congress
takes place in Marrakesh, Morocco, 6-9 June.
With the title, "Standing
Up for the Global Economy", it has already registered some 500 business
executive participants. It is expected to be the largest gathering of
global CEOs this calendar year.
Mr Fourtou said Marrakesh
was a deliberate choice of venue for the congress.
"It is a traditional
place of commerce and trade," he said. "It has long been a crossroads
of trade and a meeting point of eastern and western cultures.
"It was the birthplace,
ten years ago, of the World Trade Organization. Today, it is an open and
tolerant, Muslim country - one which we hope can serve as an example to
other developing countries."
He added that among
the key issues to be discussed at Marrakesh were:
- the overriding
need among business for a successful conclusion of the Doha trade round
negotiations;
- the importance
to business of intellectual property protection;
- the potential of
the internet as vector of economic growth;
- the business response
to the growing threat of terrorism;
For a complete breakdown
of the congress, its programme and speakers, visit the congress website:
www.iccwbo.org/congress.
Journalists
wishing to attend the ICC Congress in Marrakesh click here
Those wishing to receive
press releases in the lead-up to - and during Marrakesh - can register
for the Congress News Alert service at
www.iccwbo.org/congress.
For further information
or to arrange an interview, contact Claire Kilvert in Paris; Click here to send a mail,
tel: +33 1 49 53 2822.
|