NEW YORK (Armenpress)–The annual session of the World Economic Forum–started in New York on Thursday. "The Forum is a splendid opportunity for the Russian businessmen to discuss the prospects for the development of cooperation with their partners," said the chairman of the Union of Russian Armenia’s Ara Abrahamian. This year’s speakers include former New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani and Afghan Interim Prime Minister Hamid Karzai.
During the five-day conference–participants will take part in a variety of workshops focusing on everything from stress management to global business competition.
Security in the world and roots of conflicts–business challenges–problems of stable economic growth–reduction of poverty and providing equality are other topics which will be addressed at the Forum. Bilateral meetings are to be held during the visit as well. There will also be individual panels that focus on specific issues on individual countries–including one dealing with the social crisis in Turkey.
Panels dealing with religious topics such as bridging religious divides–understanding fundamentalism–and a discussion on what ideas are sacred in today’s world will be discussed.
"I intend to use this opportunity to meet new people. It is a rather representative forum–in which more than 3,000 leaders of the business world are participating in. We will listen and put forth our suggestions and present the economic development of Russia," he continued.
Abrahamian said that he intends to take part in the round table discussions devoted to economic problems. "I am interested in the issues concerning the stability and security of business and investment policy," he said. He will also follow the relations between the national communities of big countries in the political–business and cultural sectors. In such a representative economic forum–the relations between the national communities of different countries get a global character–he said.
The Armenian delegation–led by the foreign affairs minister Vartan Oskanian–left for New York on Thursday. Armenia’s permanent representative in the UN Movses Abelian and Armenia’s Ambassador to the US Arman Kirakosian will participate in the forum as well. The delegation will return to Yerevan on February 4.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian–Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)–is one of a number of religious leaders participating in the World Economic Forum. The Primate is representing His Holiness Karekin II–Catholicos of All Armenia’s–at the Forum.
"Our aim as human beings should be to make our lives sacred. It is the role of religion to help the life of each individual be sacred," said Archbishop Barsamian–recently represented Catholicos Karekin II at a day-long prayer session organized by the Vatican earlier this month.