Thousands attend Jerusalem conference

JERUSALEM, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Thousands of international dignitaries arrived in Jerusalem to attend the Facing Tomorrow global conference hosted by Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Approximately 3,500 participants from Israel and abroad were to attend the three-day conference set to open Tuesday night.

Delegates were to examine trends that will shape the future and actions needed to ensure a better future for Israel, the Jewish people and the rest of the world, Peres' office said.

Participants include U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, Chinese Minister of Information Wong Chan, Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Leonard J. Edwards, French Foreign Trade Minister Anne-Marie Idrac, Moroccan royal counselor Andre Azoulay, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Skype President Josh Silverman and Indian guru Ravi Shankar.

A special session will be devoted to environmental issues, Peres' office said. The conference will also showcase Israeli research and development in a special exhibition titled Industries of Tomorrow, highlighting alternative energy, water technology, stem cell research, and advanced education, defense and counter-terrorism.

The ramifications of the United Nations sponsored Goldstone report on the Israeli offensive in Gaza earlier this year is expected to be high on the agenda in talks between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and visiting dignitaries, The Jerusalem Post said.