The International Conference for the Reconstruction of Derna and the affected cities was inaugurated in Derna yesterday. The two-day conference (1 to 2 November) which will be held in both the city of Derna and Benghazi, was inaugurated by the General Commander of the (eastern based) Armed Forces, Khalifa Haftar, and the eastern based Libyan Prime Minister, Osama Hamad.
The eastern based Libyan government (unrecognised by most of the international community) said more than 162 Arab and international companies from 26 countries around the world were present. These included China, U.S.A., U.K., Russia, Portugal, U.A.E., Turkey, Romania, France, Belorussia, Tunisia, Jordan, Bulgaria and Egypt.
The eastern based Libyan government said conference looks forward to mobilising national, regional and international efforts and exchanging experiences of reconstruction. This, it continued, in order to meet the conference’s objectives of achieving the popular demands of the people of Derna and the affected regions for reconstruction by international companies expert in infrastructure development in accordance with strategic, sustainable and innovative plans.
The conference also aims to establish ongoing partnerships with international companies, crystallizing and developing forward-looking national strategies to confront future crises and disasters.
The conference is divided into three axes: scientific, developmental, and forward-looking. It targets several parties, including national and international specialized companies, international and regional organizations concerned with development, houses of expertise, research centres, chambers of commerce, ambassadors, and commercial attachés.
In his opening address, the eastern based Libyan prime minister, Osama Hamad, said the first goal of the conference is to discuss and consult on a specific vision for reconstruction and construction.
He said his government intends to launch huge projects to achieve these goals, stressing that true partnership will enable the government to come up with effective recommendations on the ground, through expanded scientific and technical discussions.
Hamad called on national companies to move towards forming real coalitions with international and regional companies, to exchange experiences and capabilities, to reach the highest degree of quality in design and implementation, to achieve international and local cooperation, which raises the level of intra-economic performance and achieves the desired development plans.
