General also called on the Conference to recommend timelines and milestones that can be used to gauge the progress made as a result of the renewed efforts to increase performances in the Middle East and North African region on adult literacy, public private spending on research and development, and the over-all building of knowledge-based economies. The Conference was jointly organized by Islamic Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Government of the Republic of Tunisia in collaboration with the World Bank. It was attended by Ministers in charge of Education from countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, while renowned researchers undertook comparative analyses of experiences of countries that have successfully transformed into knowledge-based economies with those of MENA countries. Professor Ihsanoglu's statement was delivered at the Conference by Assistant Secretary-General forEconomic Affairs, Ambassador Hameed A. Opeloyeru, according to an OIC Press release issued in Jeddah yesterday.
