The World Economic Forum on the Middle East opens at the Dead Sea in Jordan

More than 1,200 participants from 56 countries will meet from 18 to 20 May.

H.M. King Abdullah II laid out a vision for the region of 22 strong, growing economies, where every home has clean water, and where corporations compete at the highest level in the global marketplace. "The future starts here, with this extraordinary gathering of leaders from across our region. It is you who can bring our future the initiative and inspiration it needs, at every level", said the King.

"Today I urge you to start the dialogue, a dialogue of action, that can inspire and lead our region forward. I urge you to ask yourselves: what about the day after peace? And I urge you to find the answers our people so urgently need."

The Co-Chairs of the Meeting took the stage after the King and immediately began discussing the King's exhortation to plan for the day after peace today. "This is a region with enormous potential and I for one am enormously optimistic," said Hans-Paul Bürkner, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Boston Consulting Group, Germany, echoing the positive assessment of the Meeting's Co-Chairs.

Fadi Ghandour, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aramex International, Jordan, put Middle Eastern business on notice: they must step up to the plate to influence regional development. "Business cannot leave development only to government and not-for-profit agencies."

That the World Economic Forum on the Middle East is a platform for dialogue between government and business leaders was made plain by Saeed Al Muntafiq, Executive Chairman, Tatweer, a member of Dubai Group, United Arab Emirates, and Chairman of the Board of the Young Arab Leaders, who challenged regional governments to do better. "If we aspire to be part of the global community than we have to play by the rules," as he also called for a new Arab corporate value system based on merit.

Sir Martin Sorrell, Group Chief Executive, WPP, United Kingdom, predicted that soon the Middle East will produce its own major multinational corporations that will compete against the most storied of Western corporate brands.

Greater cooperation between India and the Middle East is coming, declared R. Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland. "Asia is becoming the centre of global gravity and the Middle East, if it is to become global, will have to address Asia."

Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mubadala Development Company, United Arab Emirates called for education reforms from the grassroots.