His Majesty King Abdullah said prosperity and peace could not be achieved in isolation, or gained by force.

“In the Middle East, that means getting the message out that regional and global peace is the only way to achieve the better life that people want and deserve. Outside the region, the message needs to be heard that a better future depends on global partnerships — and the Arab nation is your partner, in both peace and progress,” King Abdullah told participants at the Arab and American Action Forum in New York yesterday.

The King highlighted the role of Arab young professionals in making a difference in the life of people in the region, saying that despite challenges and difficult conditions, change is under way in the Arab world.

“Despite the burden of regional conflicts, the Arab world has been moving forward with a vision for the future. The private sector has put its talents and energy to work expanding opportunity and accelerating economic growth. Young Arab professionals are guiding innovation and delivering on performance at NGOs and in the education and health systems,” he told the forum.

The Young Arab Leaders organised the Sept. 18-19 forum, attended by 200 Arab and American participants.

The event was designed to encourage dialogue between Young Arab Leaders and American decision makers, focusing on knowledge exchange in areas of entrepreneurship, leadership development and education, the organizers said. Former US president Bill Clinton, Executive President and founder of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab and Bahrain's Crown Prince Sheikh Salman Ben Hamad Al Khalifa attended the meeting.