The Japan Arab Conference Reviews the Agenda of Reform in the Arab World
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Alexandria—
As part of the two day Japan-Arab Conference, a session entitled "The Future of the Arab region: Agenda for Modernization and Reform" was held on Wednesday, 21 November 2007. The session was chaired by HE Amb. Walid Abdel Nasser, Ambassador of Egypt to Japan, while the discussion leaders were Kamal Abdel-Latif, Professor Philosophy, Mohamed V University, Morocco; Mervat El-Tellawy, Coordinator, Arabs Economic Summit, Egypt; Samir El-Sadek, Managing Director, Taba Tourism Development Company, Egypt; and Kunio Katakura, Acting Chairman, Japan-Middle East Cultural and Economic Exchange Committee, International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC), Japan.
The session began by discussing recent developments occurring in international relations due to the disaster of September 11, since political conflicts constitute a great hindrance in the face of the development process. Participants agreed that democracy is a prerequisite for development in the Arab region. The Arab world can greatly benefit from Japan in the development process taking into consideration cultural differences, norms, and traditions.
Many lessons can be drawn from the Asian and Japanese reform models, which is the opposite of the western model that promotes consumption values. The Arab world is taking large strides towards the reform process on the social level—many efforts are being exerted towards women's empowerment, education, reduction of illiteracy rates, housing, and others.
On the economic level, many legislations were changed in addition to the increased openness in the economic systems and regulations. Arab countries are now competing to achieve reform goals and objectives. Participants also referred to holding an Arab Development Summit in Kuwait in 2008, based on an initiative by Egypt and Kuwait, with the aim to create a tangible development process in the economic field, especially in customs reduction, between Arab countries, visa cancellation, and the development of an infrastructure in transportation and communication. Intellectuals and the media will be invited to participate in order to share with their ideas and views.