His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday said justice, peace, freedom and moral values will shape the environment for global economic development and growth.



Addressing the Economic Club of New York, King Abdullah urged the world to work together in order to “make the promise real.”



“Billions of people, including the Muslim world and the West, depend on what we do to create a strong, inclusive global economy,” the King told a gathering of around 500 economic, political and intellectual leaders (see full text of his address). Her Majesty Queen Rania attended the address.



The Monarch said cooperation and dialogue among members of the human society should not be mere idealistic goals but rather critical strategies for advancement. All countries have responsibilities in this effort, he stressed.



The King said that Jordan has taken a lead in the region in promoting development, peace and reform.



“We've focused on three priorities: Good governance — which makes people stakeholders in their future, opportunity-rich economies — which can create jobs and economic growth, and peace to end conflict and instability,” he said.



King Abdullah added that the Kingdom moved forward strongly despite regional conflict and instability, adding that for the entire region, and the world, long-term progress depends on peace.



“We are strongly committed to a lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict — two states, a viable, independent Palestine living beside a secure Israel,” he said.



In a discussion after the address, the King said Jordan and several other Arab countries have shown readiness to help the Palestinian Authority after the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, noting that many of these states were willing to invest in the Strip.



He warned against any further escalation in the Middle East.



Commenting on the international probe of the assassination of Lebanon's former premier Rafiq Hariri, King Abdullah hoped that “all parties involved should be engaged in a dialogue to tackle the issue.”



On Iraq, the King reiterated that Jordan was working to help Iraqis build a future.



The King said achieving peace in the Middle East will advance global peace and fight the extremism, which, he warned, would divide the world into hostile camps.



“We cannot allow extremism to dictate the dialogue, or silence our common humanity,” he said. “We are continuing to work with Islamic scholars and organisations, and Islamic leaders of vision.... We are planning major initiatives in education and in media strategy. All of this is key to the future of the world.”



The Economic Club of New York, which was established in 1907, is a major forum for discussions of issues of concern to the business world.



It has in the past years hosted key world leaders, economists, jurists and scholars from all over the world to speak to elite audiences.



Chairwoman of the Economic Club of New York, Barbara Franklin, said His Majesty's ascension to the throne "marked the beginning of a new generation of world leaders."



She added that King Abdullah has "placed Jordan on the map as an oasis of modernity, stability and moderation," and noted, "In a few years, Jordanians have come to enjoy equitable economic opportunity and an unmatched stability in a region that is rife with conflicts and instabilities."

The Jordan Times and sources