| The World Economic Forum on the Middle East aimed to shape the regional agenda in pursuit of a more prosperous and peaceful future. The exchange of ideas and perspectives made possible by the interaction of high-level participants from both the public and private sector is itself a valuable contribution to this process. However, the meeting also produced some important new achievements, initiatives and commitments to work together going forward to continue the transformation of the region.
What follows are the principle achievements that came out of the meeting to improve dialogue, society, business, investment and the ongoing work that participants volunteered to undertake with the Forum's facilitation:
| Dialogue and Society |
| • | The Forum hosted significant business and political discussions among US, Arab and Israeli leaders, including the highest-level talks in 11 months between Israel and the Palestinian Authority |
| • | By linking a group of students with regional ministers from among the Forum's Young Global Leaders community, we expanded a valuable network to foster communication and exchange among young people |
| • | The Forum launched the Egypt Education Initiative to benefit 820,000 children in 2,000 schools |
| • | For the first time, the Women Leaders Programme brought together women ministers from across the region to construct a five-year action plan for public- and privatesector policies to address the region's gender gap |
| Business and Investment |
| • | The Forum took initial steps to launching a private sectorfunded branding campaign for the Middle East under the banner "Red Tape Out, Red Carpet In" |
| • | The Forum recognized social entrepreneurs for their achievements in promoting sustainable business practices in Egypt |
| • | Egypt's National Competitiveness Council published its third report |
| • | There was agreement to consider amendments to the open skies policy for Egypt |
| What the World Economic Forum Agreed to Facilitate: |
| • | Under the Forum's Council of 100 Leaders, develop a Web-based information portal. The Council will work with local communities across faiths to support its work |
| • | Launch a regional task force to tackle corruption |
| • | Work with high-potential, high-growth companies to develop a programme to help them integrate into the global economy |
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 Workshops conducted in Sharm El Sheikh in May 2006 by the World Economic Forum ended with participants committed to the development of transport infrastructure and capital markets in the Middle East. In addition, participants developed a plan for branding the region and identified what is needed to stimulate Middle East innovation.
The collaborative efforts of participants were harnessed in four sessions convened in the Davos WorkSpace entitled: Looking for the Next Big Idea, Marketing and Branding the Middle East, Challenges in the Evolution of Capital Markets and Rethinking Regional Transport Infrastructure.
Innovative Solutions
The main thrust of each workshop was to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the region’s politicians, companies and other key decision-makers in creating a better world for a new generation. Breakout discussions followed brief presentations by industry experts. Participants were asked to share visions of 2020 and to discover how, by working together, those desired visions might be achieved. Finally, the breakout groups gathered together to present their proposals and to discover how solutions could be translated into action.
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