50 delegates from across Africa are among some 495 participants at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, which kicked off in Singapore on Tuesday.
Being the first major post-COP26 gathering, participants are expected to contribute to what its organisers hope would be a new thinking on “the pathways toward a global recovery as the world reels from the impact of the COVDI-19 pandemic”.
In a statement ahead of the event, Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies said global economic challenges aggravated by the pandemic bring a special level of urgency to this year’s forum.
“The quick transition from COP26 to the forum gives us a unique window of opportunity — and we plan to seize it, by working together to accelerate our recovery in ways that build a stronger, healthier and sustainable economy” the statement quoted him as saying.
The forum’s plenary panel sessions are built around the themes: Rebuilding the Global Economy, Innovating Out of Crisis and Navigating a Divided World.
Discourses will revolve around finance, climate, trade, cities and health against the backdrop of the Covid pandemic.
Among the Africans taking part are Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the Mayor of Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown, Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa (Founder and Executive Director of Chil Artificial Intelligence Lab, Uganda), Alloysius Attah (Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Farmerline, Ghana) and Nthabiseng Mosia (Co-Founder, Easy Solar, Sierra Leone).
The Trade and Industry ministry of Singapore, Gan Kim Yong said said the Bloomberg New Economy Forum is an important event for the Asian country.
“Hosting the event here physically despite the pandemic, affirms Singapore’s role as a leading business events capital, and a global node for MICE and businesses” Yong added
The Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore will provide a platform for action – not just debate – while also modeling a blueprint for safe, yet highly networked, in-person convening,” said Justin B. Smith, CEO of Bloomberg Media and Executive Chair of Bloomberg New Economy.
“We’ve never seen such a sense of urgency among global leaders to get together and mobilize solutions. This spirit of collaboration crosses all business segments and, most encouragingly, governments from both developed and developing economies” he added.
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