World Economic Forum, MENA at Marrakech, 2010

The World Economic Forum of the Middle East and North Africa was held this year in Marrakech, Morocco.

The main themes centered around Key Drivers for Development, Energy, and building up the middle classes - though the perennial problems of lack of education, lack of skilled labor, the gender gap,

lack of ability to implement innovation, and so on.

I spoke on the "Low Carbon or Low Cost" Panel at the WEF Forum and joined the 800 delegates attending from all the MENA countries and many other countries from around the world at this globally famous Forum. The event has expanded way beyond its original Davos routes.

Apparently, most Arab states seem to have emerged from the recent economic crisis in relatively good stead.  Yet for all the talk of opportunities in the MENA region, the Arab world is still grappling with a slew of age-old now, challenges - not least a huge increase in their young population coming into the work force ill-prepared for the work of 21st century workers. And more than 60% of the population of the MENA region, is below the age of 25.

There was general consensus that this conference was less well attended at top level than last year's in Jordan, because there were no high level Moroccan leaders present which caused a 'domino' effect in the region with no one sending their top leaders either , in consequence...