Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki is participating in the 13th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which started today in Doha, Qatar. The conference, called the World Leaders' Investment Forum, will continue until April 26 tackling the theme of "Inclusive Globalization Focused on Development: Towards Equitable and Sustainable Growth and Development."

Tunisia's participation in the forum will be an opportunity to attract Arab and international investments in the North African country and strengthen bilateral relations between Tunisia and other countries in the world.

Marzouki arrived yesterday in Doha, accompanied by a delegation of government officials and members of the National Constituent Assembly. The Tunisian delegation was welcomed by Qatari ministers, officials, and diplomats. The Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, was not present at the welcoming ceremony.

Marzouki gave a speech today during the opening ceremony and touched upon the challenges that the Forum will tackle as well as the benefits participating nations will reap by promoting investment in their respective countries. He mentioned how the Tunisian Revolution did away with the fabricated statistics that the former regime of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali used to promote a whitewashed image of his government's efforts in regional development.

He even called for giving the chance to other countries to host such important events. "I call on the UNCTAD to give Tunisia the opportunity to host one of its future forums on global investments. We are ready to manage such a responsibility," he added.