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A World leader in its field of activities, the Crans Montana Forum is an annual international meeting of over a thousand personalities from the public and private sectors: Heads of State, Government dignitaries, representatives of international organizations and decision makers in the world of business and finance.

For its 16th edition, the Crans Montana Forum will be held in Monaco June 23-25, 2005 at the Méridien Beach Plaza Hotel. The Board of the Foundation decided on this relocation to foster the Forum’s harmonious development and the strengthening of its worldwide scope.

To cope with the new challenges of today’s world, the ambition and philosophy of its Chairman and Founder, Jean-Paul Carteron and of the Foundation Board, is to facilitate international dialogue and understanding between countries and their representatives.

Since its inception in 1989, the Crans Montana Forum has focused on the political and economic rebuilding of a new “post Cold War” open Europe. Originally created as a European Forum where East and West could meet, the initiative was soon extended to include Central Asia, the Middle East, the region South of the Mediterranean and the African Continent. It has now become a world-renowned and unique annual event.

Over the course of three days, debates, meetings, working breakfasts, lunches and thematic dinners are organized with a “federal” perspective in an accord-conducive environment. Their goal is to foster reflection on the means to achieve sustainable development and reduce poverty, and to ensure that each and every nation occupies its rightful position in the global decision-making process.

Prominent personalities from five continents

The 2005 edition of the Crans Montana Forum will bring together several renowned international personalities including, to name a few: Mr. Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, Mr. Mikhail Saakashvili, President of Georgia, Mr. Vlado Buckovski, Prime Minister of Macedonia, Mr. Bajram Kosumi, Prime Minister of Kosovo and Mr. Dimitrij Rupel, President of OSCE and Foreign Affairs Minister of Slovenia.

Also attending: Mrs. Simone Veil, Former Minister, Member of the Constitutional Council (France), Mr. Robert Badinter, Senator (France) and Member of the High level Panel on Threats Challenges and Change of the United Nations, Mr. Alain Juppé, former Prime Minister (France), Mr. Jean Louis Bruguière, Senior Vice-President of the Court of Paris, Mr. Dalil Boubakeur, Rector of Paris Mosque, Chairman of the French Council of Moslem Affairs, Mr. Adnan Shihab Eldin, Secretary General of OPEC, Mr. André Azoulay, Advisor to H.M. the King of Morocco Mohammed VI, Mr. Milo Djukanovic, Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Rocco Buttiglione, Italian Minister for European Affairs.

The program will address important key issues, including :

* The status of Kosovo
* The key issues for Europe: the new European borders, the strategic situation of the Caucasian Region, political and economic prospects for Serbia and Montenegro, the financial markets, the standing of minorities…
* The Arab countries: democratic institutions and religion, the future of Iraq, the Palestinian crisis…
* Africa, prospects for the future: regional integration, the first steps towards globalization, agriculture and food industries in western Africa...
* The P.R. of China and its international role: the ambitions of this newly emerging power
* Challenges linked to the environment: sustainable development, management of water supplies, gas and oil, urban environment policy…
* Security: the fight against terrorism, the stakes of judicial cooperation, the agricultural and food industries and product traceability...
* Today’s major cities: urban development planning, how to combine economic competitiveness, social cohesion and sustainable development…
* Social responsibilities of businesses in the context of globalization: the balance between ethics and economic prosperity...

The « Prix de la Fondation » award 2005

Every year, the Fondation du Forum Universale, under the Honorary Chairmanship of H.S.H. Prince A. von und zu Liechtenstein, awards the prestigious “Prix de la Fondation” to deserving public personalities who contribute to the promotion of peace, democracy and international cooperation.
The 2005 “Prix de la Fondation” award recipients are:
• Mr. Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine
• Mr. Mikhail Saakashvili, President of Georgia
• Mr. Dimitrij Rupel, Chairman of OSCE and Foreign Affairs Minister of Slovenia
• Mrs. Simone Veil, Former Minister and Member of the Constitutional Court, France
• Mr. Bronislav Geremek, Former Minister, member of the European Parliament, Poland

For more information, including program and list of participants, visit www.cmf.ch