LONDON: Some 50 leading international figures, including dignitaries, academics and development experts from across the globe are gathering in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday for a United Nations conference on democracy in the Arab world. According to the UN, the conference hopes to provide decision-makers in emerging democracies in the Middle East a chance to meet and interact with others who have encountered similar challenges during their own respective countries transition to democracy. An assistant to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told Bikyamasr.com that the conference “aims to develop relationships that will enable the Arab world's leaders and actors an opportunity to understand how to move forward in these transitional phases.” The two-day conference, entitled “Reform and Transitions to Democracy,” has been organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The UN chief, who is currently visiting Lebanon, is among the keynote speakers at the conference. Turkish Foreign Ahmet Davutoglu was also expected to attend. The themes addressed by the conference include how Arab Spring countries can carry out the transition from autocracy to democracy, strengthening democratic institutions and reintegrating one-time combatants into society. Popular revolts toppled long-standing dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya last year, and Yemen's president is on his way out. “We hope this will be a great opportunity for Arab leaders and development figures to pose questions to people who have already experienced similar changes,” the official told Bikyamasr.com via telephone from Geneva. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/OOa97 Tags: Beirut, Conference, United Nations Section: Egypt, Latest News, Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia
