The World Economic Forum on the Middle East returns to Jordan in May

The World Economic Forum has a strong record as a neutral platform for dialogue between countries, regions and religions. Leaders from the world of business, politics and civil society will meet to discuss various dimensions of the theme, 'Putting Diversity to Work'.

His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan is expected to deliver an opening address on how World Economic Forum participants can bring critical leadership to the region in the areas of conflict resolution, economic cooperation and development.

This year's gathering will spotlight efforts to accelerate economic diversification in a time of regional prosperity, while emphasizing the urgency of promoting peace and understanding in a region of great religious and ethnic diversity. Sessions will include discussions onindustries of the future to broaden understanding of new industries that are playing a role in reshaping the region's economies; on stability, peace and international relations, featuring a debate among key political leaders on the path to peace and security in the Middle East; and on society and change, addressing the prerequisites for successfully facing challenges in a time of transformation.

A number of innovations will be introduced to focus more on specific issues and to provoke new ideas and action. The WorkSpace, for example, will bea creative, high energy, high-tech interactive environment, aided by high-tech tools, bringing together top decision-makers to explore and work through complex, systemic problems that are central to the region. Sensory deprivation in a session entitled 'Dialogue in the Dark' will challenge participants' communications skills and allow an examination of how various senses are used to foster understanding and collaboration.

Some of the leading political leaders who have confirmed their participation are (in alphabetical order) Abdulrahman Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Secretary-General, Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia; Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan; Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia; Tariq Al Hashimi, Vice-President of Iraq; Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan; H.H. Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force; Tzipi Livni, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel; H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai; Stjepan Mesic, President of Croatia; Amre Moussa, Secretary-General, League of Arab States, Cairo; Shimon Peres, Vice-Prime Minister of Israel; Dina H. Powell, US Deputy Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy; Lubna al Qasimi; Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates; Rachid M. Rachid, Minister of Trade and Industry of Egypt; Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka; H.E. Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait; Elais Antonio Saca, President of El Salvador; Barham Salih, Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq; Orrin Hatch, United States Senator from Utah; Gordon H. Smith, Senator from Oregon; and John Reid, Home Secretary of the United Kingdom. More names will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Co-Chairs of the Meeting are Hans-Paul Bürkner, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Boston Consulting Group; Fadi Ghandour, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aramex International, Jordan; Khaldoon al Mubarak, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mubadala Development Company, United Arab Emirates; Saeed Al Muntafiq, Chairman, Tatweer; Chairman of the Board, Young Arab Leaders, United Arab Emirates; Linda Rottenberg, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Endeavor Global, USA; Young Global Leader; R. Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland Ltd ; and
Sir Martin Sorrell, Group Chief Executive, WPP, United Kingdom.