Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak will address a special session on women's role in national development at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Sharm el-Sheikh later this month, a government official said yesterday.

Trade and Industry Minister Rashid Mohamed Rashid added that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would be heading a high-ranking delegation during the forum, which will begin on May 20.

Two sessions during the forum will focus on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and the role of the Palestinian and Israeli youth in pushing forward the stalled Middle East peace talks, Rashid said. More than 1,100 officials from 50 countries will be attending the Sharm forum.