U.S. - Islamic World Forum

Key leaders from the United States and the Muslim world in the areas of politics, business, media, academia and civil society met in February at the fifth annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Qatar.

The 2008 forum, sponsored by The Brookings Institution and the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, featured three workshops—on science and technology, arts and culture and "bridging the divide."

LLNL participated in the forum’s science and technology workshop and has been a partner in the development of the larger, ongoing science and technology initiative by The Brookings Institution with the Muslim world.

"I think everyone recognizes that science and technology cooperation is an essential ingredient for successful U.S.-Islamic world relations," said Mona Dreicer, the deputy program director for the Nonproliferation Program within the Global Security Principal Directorate.

"We have identified obstacles and we hope to work with Brookings to develop programs to make progress in this important area," added Dreicer, who attended the forum.

Among the leaders who participated in the fifth annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum were: Hamid Karzai, president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; Hamad bin Jassim bin Jahr Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar; Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. representative to the United Nations; and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Under the overall science and technology initiative, opportunities are sought for partnership between the United States and Muslim communities to advance science and technology.

The promotion of science and technology is a crucial step in facilitating economic growth, employment opportunities and the skills needed to succeed in the global knowledge economy.

The U.S.-Islamic World Forum is held under the auspices of The Brookings Institution’s Saban Center for Middle East Policy and its Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World.