Convening against the backdrop of the momentous events revoking irreversible political systems that have been ruling countries for decades, and for the 19th consecutive year, the Arab Economic Forum was held on 26 and 27 May 2011, at the Intercontinental Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, under the patronage H.E. Saad Hariri, President of the Council of Ministers in Lebanon, represented by H.E. Fouad Seniora, Former Prime Minister, and with the attendance of more than 600 leading figures from over 19 countries, including ministers, diplomats and heads of economic authorities, and top ranking banks and corporations.

AEF second day started with an open discussion with H.E. Riad Saleme, Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon and closed its sessions with an open discussion with H.E. Naguib Mikati, Prime Minister-Designate.

AEF speakers included regional government and business leaders and thinkers from around the world. The 19th AEF is organized by the Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal group with the cooperation and support of the Central Bank of Lebanon, the Association of Banks in Lebanon and the IFC.