Astana, May 24 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijani delegation led by Finance Minister Samir Sharifov attended the official opening ceremony of the Fifth Astana Economic Forum (AEF) dedicated to the challenges and prospects of world economic development in terms of global transformation.

The ceremony was attended by the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as well-known public figures, international experts, representatives of political and business communities, scientists in economics and others. 11 Nobel Prize winners as well as Robert Mandell, Robert Aumann, Christopher Pissarides, the former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, British former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Wim Kok former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and other officials were also among the attendees of the forum.

Azerbaijani delegation included AZPROMO employees, scientists of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and business class.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized that topical issues of the global economic transformation were brought to the Forum’s agenda. The President in his welcome speech noted that the forum was reflecting the broad Eurasian vision of the global development issues.

“The Astana Forum has become a valuable part of the global dialogue of politicians and scientists-experts proven by today's attendance. 8 000 people from more than 90 countries of the world submitted their applications for participation in the Forum. 12 Nobel Laureates, 4 participants of the global rating of 100 greatest thinkers of our time, well-known politicians, heads of international organizations are among them. The forum reflects the broad Eurasian vision of the global development issues,” N. Nazarbayev said.

The President emphasized that the forum was called on to open a new page in the modern worldview and reforming of the global economy.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also made a speech at the forum, saying: “AEF - important opportunity to reach common ground in overcoming financial crisis. The Astana Economic Forum is an important opportunity to share our views on the ways to overcome the crisis”.

The Head of the Turkish Government said that the crisis was a common problem for the whole world. “As long as this is a common problem for the world, we need to find a common solution to it,” he emphasized.

According to him, the best solution of this problem is strengthening of cooperation between the G-20 countries. “In 2008, the G-20 countries took joint measures that prevented further expansion of the economic crisis. I believe we should continue our cooperation and jointly find solutions for the global issues. In this context, the G-20 member states should play a more important role,” the Turkish Premier resumed.

The other participants of the forum also made a speech on relevant economic issues.

The forum is due to run till May 24.