The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. The World Economic Forum is under the supervision of the Swiss Federal Government.
Asia is fortunate to have had “courageous” leaders such as China’s Deng Xiaoping and Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew, who steered their nations through difficult times, added Goh, who is also Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. “If you have a bad or ugly government, then we would not be here to discuss the finer points of development.”
Good leadership is critical to achieving strong economic growth, Goh Chok Tong, Singapore’s Senior Minister, told participants at the closing session of the 16th World Economic Forum on East Asia. “If you don’t have a government that understands the importance of macroeconomic policies, investment in education, and how to manage socioeconomic divisions in a country, it would be difficult for an economy to thrive,” Goh said.
Selecting one priority for each of the meeting’s four sub-themes, participants shaped the following agenda which will be used to guide further discussions on regional and globalissues at the Forum’s Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, People’s Republic of China, on 6-8 September 2007, and the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on 23-27 January 2008.
