Security was especially
tight on Wall Street Wednesday morning as the
President of the World Economic Forum and key
city officials arrived at the New York Stock
Exchange to announce that the site of the forum's
2002 annual meeting has been relocated to New
York City.
The
site of the meeting, which was originally to be held
in Davos, Switzerland, was changed approximately one
week after the events of September 11, according to
World Econimic Forum Founder and President Klaus Schwab
who linked the change in location directly to the events
of September 11. "The meeting will address challenges
directly related to the events of September 11 and
its aftermath," Schwab said. "What could
be more appropriate?"
Schwab
announced that by moving the location of the
meeting the
government of Switzerland was showing
its support to the city of New York and its willingness
to stand by the its people. "This is an extraordinary
moment in the history of mankind and this is an
extraordinary move," Schwab said.
Approximately
2000 individuals are expected at next year's
meeting,
raising many questions about
security. Neither Schwab, nor Mayor Giuliani, who
was also present, saw security as a threat, and
were very optimistic about holding the meeting
in New York City. "New York City is more than
capable of holding this event," Giuliani said. "This
will give the city a chance to show itself off.
Not only are we ready, but this something that
will be good for us."
Giuliani
alluded to the additional economic boost that
hosting
an event such as this will provide. " We
look forward to having the conference here and
to people spending a lot of money here."
The World Economic Forum brings together leading
minds from business, politics, media, academia
and civil society. During the 2002 Annual Meeting
participants will address four main points. The
first will be how all stake holders can support
the effort against terrorism; second, how to promote
dialogue between civilizations; third, how to avoid
a major worldwide recession; and fourth, to eliminate
world poverty, according to Schwab.
Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and president
of the World Economic Forum was joined at the stock
exchange by Richard Grasso chairman of the New
York Stock Exchange, Rudolph Giuliani, Charles
Gargano, chairman of the Empire State Development
Fund and James Schiro, CEO of PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
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