At a press conference that followed the special inaugural session that heard President Mubarak, Serageldin talked to media and press representatives of the importance to forge partnerships between governments and civil society organizations, in order for them to work together harmoniously to pilot the reform process. Setting the direction for the two day conference, Serageldin went further to explain how the conference would confirm the importance of engaging civil society organizations in the reform process. Furthermore, Serageldin spoke of several very successful achievements led by the civil society, some of which he himself had helped a great deal to initiate.