HE the Chairman of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah on Friday participated in the opening ceremony of the Brussels Forum, which was held in the presence of Belgian King Philippe, senior EU, US and Belgian officials, and NATO heads of state, along with heads of states, foreign and defense ministers, and parliamentarians among others. 

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said the forum, which is being held at an important time, has pressing issues on its agenda that need to be seriously discussed in order to find solutions or mechanisms that can help in addressing them.

The Brussels Forum is an annual high-level meeting of the most influential North American and European political, corporate, and intellectual leaders to address pressing challenges currently facing both sides of the Atlantic.

Its agenda reflects the growing diversity of issues at the core of the transatlantic relationship, as well as the increasing geographic reach of transatlantic cooperation. It includes discussion sessions on broad themes, such as the global financial crisis. It also explores challenges like Asia, the Middle East, and climate change. 

The opening ceremony was attended by HE Qatar's Ambassador to Belgium Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani and members of the delegation accompanying HE the Chairman of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority.