Istanbul set to welcome Annan, gore to summit in march

Istanbul's unique position allows it to play a singular mediating role in high-level discussions of critical transnational issues, organizers of an upcoming conference of international leaders said yesterday. In March the Leaders of Change Summit will host leaders with alternative approaches to politics such as Nobel Prize winner Al Gore and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Summit participants will consider topics such as conflict resolution, interfaith dialogue, energy problems, and the environment. "Turkey is the only country able to have dialogue with the region's various religions," Ahmet Eyup Ozgu, head of the Turkish Future Research Association, said yesterday. "Thus, the role of Turkey is to be a mediator in whether peace is possible in the Middle East. For instance, religious leaders of three major religions will meet in a session and discuss conflict and alliances among civilizations." Organized with Prime Ministry support, the Leaders of Change Summit will feature 21 sessions in three halls at the Istanbul Congress Center. There are plans to make the summit an annual event, allowing Istanbul to become a spot where different points of view are presented, power relationships are discussed, and the world's future is forecast, said Ozguc.