Cairo, November 01, SPA -- The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) begins itsFifth annual conference later today with a total of 2,700 delegates participating. On the first day, NDP chairman President Hosni Mubarak is expectedto address the 3-day gathering convened under the banner "A New Styleof Thinking for the Future of Our Country," focusing on thechallenges facing Egypt. Mubarak's speech is to outline the party's vision and strategy indealing with the global food and financial crisis. A day would be devoted to the impact of global financial meltdownon Egypt, Gamal Essam el-Din, an Egyptian journalist specialized inparliamentary affairs told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). NDP Secretary-General Safwat el-Sherif will then address theConference with a speech reviewing the party's performance over thepast 12 months. The conference will also review progress made towards implementingPresident Mubarak's 2005 presidential election programme. Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif is scheduled to deliver a speech onSunday highlighting the government's success in implementing theprogramme three years after it was announced in the summer of 2005.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/603234