At the initiative of Richard Attias & Associates, under the High Patronage of President Ali Bongo Ondimba and in collaboration with the government of Gabon, over 700 international leaders are expected in Libreville on 14, 15 and 16 June. This event is set to be the largest meeting of economic decision-makers, business leaders, young entrepreneurs, investment funds, political decision-makers, international media, experts and economists, all stakeholders in African economic development and its challenges.

The Forum will take place on the sidelines of the CEMAC Summit bringing together Heads of State and Finance Ministers from countries in the regional institution. Transparency in trade, governance and personal security, entrepreneurship, and the role of women will be some of the topics discussed during the Forum, and the unique, highly interactive format will allow a roadmap to be drafted ahead of the forthcoming G8.

 
For this second edition of the New York Forum Africa, particular emphasis will be placed on the importance of the local African economic fabric, and notably on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which represent 90% of the private sector on the continent. President Ali Bongo Ondimba underlines: “The Forum should stimulate innovation and seek to ensure that Africa generates new products, new talents and new opportunities. They should inspire the current generation of business leaders, as well as those of the future”.

 
Whilst, since its creation in 2010, the New York Forum has taken a particular interest in economic and financial challenges, the topics up for debate this year are wider in scope adds Richard Attias, Founder of the New York Forum: “In 2012, we initiated business opportunities and laid down the foundations for trust between investors and African decision-makers. The fundamental issues this year are focused around the capacity to bring these measures to bear at local, regional and continental level. We will, moreover, place particular focus on the surge of the African middle class, young people and all the sectors which create jobs as well as art and culture”.

As a genuine “hotbed of ideas” in favour of African development, the New York Forum AFRICA aims to propose innovative solutions to support the development of a continent which has already been able to seize the opportunities presented by the new economy and to facilitate international investments through increased knowledge of on-going projects.