His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday said the region stands at the gates of the future, emphasising that dignity, opportunity, democracy, and peace and justice are all crucial to the future of the Arab world.

The four gates of the Arab future are not alternatives, said the King. “To cement progress anywhere, we will need progress everywhere.”

Opening the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Arab World, the King said “entrepreneurs, innovators, educators and policy makers are desperately needed to clear a path to the 85

million jobs that the region needs to create soon.”

The WEF meeting brought together more than 1,000 participants from around 50 nations.

Economic growth and jobs represent a central concern for the peoples of the Middle East, which has the highest youth unemployment rate of any region in the world, the King said. The role of the private sector, governments and people

themselves is crucial to addressing the problem in the region, he pointed out. “Giving the people of the region the respect they deserve, their rights without exception and the horizons enjoyed by others around the world is crucial for the region’s future.”

Spanish King Juan Carlos, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Ben Jassim Ben Jabr Al Thani, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman of the Executive Board of the National Transitional Council of Libya Mahmoud Jibril attended the opening session.

Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains key to regional stability and prosperity. “The future for the Middle East and beyond is with the normalcy of peace - a two-state solution with a sovereign, viable and independent Palestinian

state, on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with UN resolutions, resolving all final status issues... security and acceptance for Israel… and a new era of peace and cooperation from the Atlantic to the

Indian Ocean.”

The King said the private sector, government, and citizens all share the responsibility to contribute to their country’s development and growth. “All the jobs that our region needs will not be wished into being.”

The private sector has a key role and interest in getting more people off the unemployment rolls, King Abdullah said, adding that “a secure middle class, optimistic about the future, will anchor the region better than any resource.”

The King said governments have a major role in creating jobs and triggering economic growth. Political and economic reforms must be in parallel, he added. “For businesses to invest and expand with confidence, they need a predictable,

level playing field... transparency and accountability... the rule of law... and a strong, stable foundation of inclusive political life,” said the King.

Around 340 CEOs, 700 business participants, some 20 ministers from across the world and young global leaders are taking part in the three-day forum.