World Islamic Economic Forum - Annual Forum

Annual Forum

A) THE ANNUAL FORUM (MAIN)

The annual Forum has been the mainstay of the WIEF Foundation since its inception in 2005. To attract the global community, the WIEF comes up with relevant themes and topics for discussion at every annual Forum.

The participation of the WIEF has been increasing each year. The increase in number came with bolder themes throughout the years.

1st World Islamic Economic Forum (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
1-3October 2005
Theme: Forging New Alliances for Development and Progress

2nd World Islamic Economic Forum (Islamabad, Pakistan)
5–7 November 2006
Theme: Unleashing the Potential of Emerging Markets

3rd World Islamic Economic Forum (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
27–29 May 2007
Theme: Global Challenges – Innovative Partnerships

4th World Islamic Economic Forum (Kuwait City, Kuwait)
28 April – 1 May 2008
Theme: Islamic Countries: Partners in The Global Development

5th World Islamic Economic Forum (Jakarta, Indonesia)
1–4 March 2009
Theme: Global Food and Energy Security

6th World Islamic Economic Forum (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
18–20 May 2010
Theme: Gearing for Economic Resurgence

7th World Islamic Economic Forum (Astana, Kazakhstan)
7–9 June 2011
Theme: Globalising Growth: Connect, Compete, Collaborate

8th World Islamic Economic Forum (Johor Bahru, Malaysia)
4–6 December 2012
Theme: Changing Trends, New Opportunities

9th World Islamic Economic Forum (London, United Kingdom)
October 2013

B) THE ANNUAL FORUM (BUSINESSWOMEN)

The women’s agenda was first introduced during the inaugural WIEF in 2005 as one of the main plenary sessions entitled ‘the emerging potential of Muslim women in the 21st century’. The 2nd WIEF hosted the first WIEF Muslim Women Roundtable with the theme ‘unleashing the potential of Muslim women’ while the 3rd WIEF saw the convening of the inaugural WIEF Businesswomen Forum, the name of which has survived up until now. The themes of the Businesswomen Forum included ‘Women Entrepreneurs – the Way Forward’ in 2007, ‘Capacity Building and Synergistic Linkages – the Way to Success’ in 2008, ‘Women Entrepreneurs – the Driving Force towards a Stronger Future’ in 2009, ‘Capitalizing on Women Potentials in Business’ in 2010, and ‘Women and Business – Endurance and Perseverance’ in 2011.

Topics covered throughout the years concern SMEs, leadership, entrepreneurship, creating synergies, market challenges and opportunities, evolving role of women in business, training and education, industries in focus (food, education, tourism & healthcare), social entrepreneurship and marketing.

C) THE ANNUAL FORUM (YOUNG LEADERS)

The Young Leaders agenda started during the 2nd WIEF when it convened the WIEF Young Entrepreneurs Roundtable with the theme ‘Nurturing a Powerful Youth Business Network’. Just like its Businesswomen counterpart, the Roundtable decided to form the WIEF Young Leaders Forum which was to convene for the first time during the 3rd WIEF. The theme of the inaugural WIEF Young Leaders Forum was ‘Carving a New World for Muslims – A Future Agenda’, during the 3rd WIEF in 2007. The themes of the WIEF Young Leaders Forum subsequently included ‘Developing the Future Generation of Leaders’ in 2008, ‘Charting our Course – Leading Islamic Business & Finance Forward’ in 2009, ‘Defining the Muslim Youth in the 21st Century’ in 2010, and ‘Leadership in Motion – Leveraging Skills and Talent’ in 2011.

Topics covered throughout the years concern SMEs, leadership, entrepreneurship, education and training, youth development through local initiatives and mentorship programmes, employment and the global workplace, Islamic finance, innovative industries, the green industry, the creative arts industry, social entrepreneurship and nurturing a ‘global’ mindset.

D) PARTICIPANTS

Throughout its run, the WIEF has been graced by such esteemed dignitaries, most notable among them:

• The President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai
• The President of Bosnia And Herzegovina, Haris Silajdzic
• The President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
• The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev
• The President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh
• The President of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu
• The King of Jordan, King Abdullah II
• The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
• The Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
• The Prince Andrew, Duke of York
• The President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade
• The Prime Minister of Bahrain, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa
• The Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire, Guillame Kigbafori Soro
• The Prime Minister of Morocco, Abbas El Fassi
• The President of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed
• The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak
• The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina
• The Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Oqil Oqilov
• The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Karim Massimov
• The Former President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
• The Former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf
• The Former President of Sri Lank, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
• The Former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Fuad Siniora
• The Former Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke
• The Former Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah
• The Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
• The Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
• The Former Prime Minister of Netherlands, Ruud Lubbers
• The Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz
• The Crown Prince of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah
• The Crown Prince and Deputer Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah UAE, Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi
• The Secretary General of OIC, Prof. Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu