Indonesia to Invite President Obama to World Islamic

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000136 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EINV PGOV PREL ID SUBJECT: Indonesia to Invite President Obama to World Islamic Economic Forum ¶1. (SBU) Indonesian President Yudhoyono will invite President Obama to participate in the Fifth World Islamic Economic Forum to be held in Jakarta on March 2-3. The conference will focus on the implications of the global financial crisis as well as alternative energy and food security for the Muslim world. ¶2. (SBU) President Yudhoyono's office intends to issue the formal invitation to President Obama shortly, according to conference organizer Tanri Abeng. Acknowledging the short notice, Abeng hoped President Obama might speak via video hook-up and send a senior administration official to represent him in person. The Forum can foster dialogue and promote economic opportunities both within the Muslim world and with other partners, including the U.S. Abeng said the Forum would also highlight Indonesia's growing regional and global leadership. ¶3. (SBU) Six heads of state have already confirmed their participation, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar, Bahrain, and potentially Mexico and the Netherlands. President Yudhoyono will deliver the keynote address on March 2, followed by plenary sessions on the financial crisis, alternative energy, and food security on March 3. Indonesia will host events in cooperation with WIEF's Businesswomen and Young Leaders Networks. One broader secondary benefit of hosting the Forum is to highlight investment opportunities in Indonesia, according to Abeng. ¶4. (SBU) Short WIEF history: WIEF is an outgrowth of economic meetings at the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and spearheaded by Malaysian Prime Minister Badawi. A "mini" Davos for the Muslim World, WIEF is designed to bring together both Muslim and non-Muslim political and business leaders to discuss critical economic issues and showcase investment opportunities in the Muslim world. HUME