Kuching all set to host over 2,500 delegates at WIEF 2017
KUCHING: This city is hosting world leaders and key industrial players coming for the three- day 13th World Islamic Economic Forum ( WIEF), which begins today at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK).
Preparations for the forum, which is jointly conducted by the state government and WIEF Foundation, had been going on at BCCK over the past several days to accommodate more than 2,500 delegates from over 60 countries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is scheduled to officiate at opening ceremony, is set to deliver his keynote address today.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is also expected to present a special address at the event.
Najib is also scheduled to attend several events run in connection with WIEF 2017 such as the 12th Annual Consultation Bilateral Meeting between himself and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, and the exchange of several memoranda of understanding ( MoUs).
Another highlight of the forum today is the ‘Face to Face’ session with Apple Inc co-founder Steve Wozniak, who will be sharing his insights on championing creativity, driving change, spearheading innovation and empowering the people during the curtain-raiser session themed ‘Disruption – A Way Forward.’
This year’s WIEF – themed ‘ Disruptive Change: Impact and Chal lenges’ – examines how disruptive technologies can change the world as well as their benefits and challenges and at the same time, offers guidelines and knowledge-sharing to enable policymakers and leaders from business and other institutions to respond.
The forum also creates a platform for the global business community to come together and discuss burning issues such as how to adapt to disruptive changes, as well as to find solutions and develop initiatives that can better prepare the people for the technological revolution that would change their lives.
The last WIEF was held in Jakarta, Indonesia where it hosted five Head of States, 12 ministers, over 300 members of the press and more than 4,000 delegates from 73 countries.