The Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafi, stressed during his participation in the work of the fourteenth Arab-Austrian Forum, which was held in Vienna to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Arab-Austrian Chamber and the meetings of the General Assembly of the Chamber, under the auspices of the Austrian President Dr. Alexander Vander Plein, who gave a recorded speech at the opening of the forum, and the participation of the Minister of Labor and Economy in the Federal Government, Dr. Martin Kocher, and the President of the Arab Chamber Austrian Warner Wasselband, the presidents of Qatar Chamber, the Bahrain Chamber and the Federation of Libyan Chambers, the President of the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Secretary General of the Arab-Austrian Chamber, the Secretary General of the OPC, and the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Austria, stressed that we are at a time when the world is changing rapidly, where technological developments and the push for sustainability play an important role in shaping how to move forward towards a better future, which is why today's forum is timely.
Dr. Khaled Hanafi pointed out that the discussions we will have about energy, whether it is fossil fuels, renewables or ways to use energy more efficiently, are the key to how to build the future, not only in the Arab world or Austria, but globally.
He pointed out that Austria's focus on sustainable industries and innovation makes it a natural partner for the Arab world with its resources and potential, as there are many opportunities for Austrian companies in the Arab world. We are already seeing the benefits of working together, and there is much we can do to deepen these partnerships, especially in sectors such as renewable energy and infrastructure.
He pointed out that the goal is not to increase the volume of intra-regional trade, but rather to work to make the relationship live up to the level of alliance and strategic partnership, as the global landscape is changing, and in this rapidly changing environment, our collective ability to change, innovate, adapt and lead is more important than ever. Austria and the Arab world are uniquely located, so our strategic locations, rich resources, and vibrant economies connect continents, cultures and trade.
Today, we should explore how we can leverage these strengths to create new avenues of growth and partnership. How to build on the solid foundations laid by the past decade, how to harness the power of new technologies, and how to transform our economies to be more resilient, sustainable and forward-looking.
In a world where the lines between physical and digital, local and global, are increasing, the discussions are not only about what we can achieve now, but about how to pave the way for the next phase of our economic development. We must delve into emerging opportunities in green energy, fintech and logistics, and consider how to foster innovation that not only drives economic growth, but also improves quality of life across our regions.
The success of Austria and the Arab world will not only be measured by economic metrics, but also by our ability to create shared value, build partnerships that transcend borders, and meaningfully contribute to global prosperity.
"Our conference today is more than just making business deals and investments. It's about sharing knowledge, learning from each other, and finding ways to make our economies stronger, more and more resilient. The energy transition, in particular, is one of the biggest challenges we all face. Shifting to cleaner energy sources is not only necessary, it is something we all have a responsibility to do. It will take all of us to cooperate in order to make it work.
The Union of Arab Chambers is fully committed to supporting close economic cooperation between Austria and the Arab world. We will continue to encourage investment and promote trade, and create more opportunities for businesses on both sides. I am confident that the talks we have today will lead to practical results and new opportunities.
Source (Union of Arab Chambers)
