The AIWF 2006 Programme was launched with two important events. On 19 April AIWF Annual Partner Shell hosted a Business Forum. AIWF welcomed more than 70 guests to the Business Forum titled ‘Building Bridges, Building Business: Increasing Business Links Between the City of London, the Arab World and the International Community’. The four guest speakers on the panel were Dr Mohammed Smadi, Secretary General and Chief Executive, The Arab British Chamber of Commerce, Dr Assia Bensalah Alaoui, Ambassador at Large of HM, the King of Morocco, Ms Roxanne Decyk, Corporate Affairs Director, Shell and Mr Jeremy Carver, Consultant and Head of International Law, Clifford Chance with concluding remarks by Dr Gavin Graham, Vice President New Business Development, Middle East, Shell. Their diverse comments on the aspects of global influences, reform, diversity and economic stability brought forward spirited discussion from the audience as our distinguished speakers approached the theme from different angles. It was truly a discussion on global citizenship and its responsibilities in today’s society, regardless of the sector, gender or sect that was represented.
The 5th Anniversary Dinner was held on Thursday 20 April 2006 hosted at the invitation of The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Brewer CMG at the Mansion House in the City of London, with distinguished guests attending from 35 countries. Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan was the Guest of Honour. In his address the Lord Mayor highlighted the achievements that women are making in the Arab world and paid tribute to the work of AIWF in this regard.
AIWF looks forward with great enthusiasm to other activities in the year ahead to enhance the message of building bridges, building business and continuing with a focus on the role of business women in igniting growth and development. The AIWF activities will include developing business initiatives and cooperating with our valued global partners, leading international organisations such as The League of Arab States, the European Commission as well as governments, the corporate sector and public policy institutions. The AIWF strength for networking, connectivity and building partnerships is particularly relevant to the interaction with business and trading communities in the UK that reach out to the Arab and international markets.
