Klaus opened the conference. 17th WEF on Africa. it started in Geneva in 1990. he stated a desire to part of the solution to the crises that are facing the world, and especially that which is facing Africa.

Jacob Zuma then spoke next. he welcomed every head of state by name and the rest of us. a slightly rambling start. he focused on the need for a reform of the global financial institutions. the crises provides an opportunity to correct the brain drain to reconstruct the continent. many African emigrants have realized that the grass is not greener on the other side. he noted that many global / international organizations need to change their configurations to reflect the new global order which is no longer centred in the north and west. he noted further that nations are looking more and more at their interests. it was a so-so speech.