ANKARA, Turkey — Thousands of delegates are crowding a sports arena where Turkey's ruling party, marking nearly a decade in power, is holding a congress to designate new leaders to build on economic achievements and a rising regional stature.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to pick new officials to guide his Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party to local, presidential and general elections in the next three years and announce policy goals for 2023 when the country celebrates its centenary.

The congress is being held amid an increase in attacks by Kurdish militants and challenges presented by the war in neighboring Syria.

Egypt's new president, Mohammed Morsi — in Turkey to strengthen an emerging alliance between two moderate Islamist governments — is among foreign dignitaries attending the congress.