The following is the text of the press release issued by the World Economic Forum on 25 April 2006 in which it expressed its solidarity with Egypt and its determination to hold its scheduled Forum meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh.

World Economic Forum shows solidarity with Egypt

Geneva, Switzerland, 25 April 2006 – Following the terrorist bombings last night in Dahab, the World Economic Forum has issued the following statement concerning its planned meeting in Egypt next month:

The Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, has written to President Mubarak to express his deep sympathy with the Egyptian government and people.

"The immediate temptation would have been to cancel our Forum in Egypt next month, but for the sake of a more peaceful future for humankind we have to show our solidarity by holding this meeting. We must demonstrate to the world that political and economic leaders take on their responsibility to work for a more harmonious and prosperous development of the Middle East – despite all the challenges and difficulties," he said.

The World Economic Forum has held meetings in the Middle East for many years – last year the Forum was in Jordan. This year, in cooperation with the Egyptian government, 1,000 participants from the highest levels of business, government and civil society will come together in Sharm El Sheikh to take decisions to help shape the regional agenda.

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.