His Majesty King Abdullah will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2007 in Davos, Switzerland, which this year will focus on the need to increase cooperation to mitigate global risks posed by climate change and international terrorism.

Under the theme “The Shifting Power Equation,” the January 24-28 forum, will bring together over 2,000 leaders from business, politics, academia and civil society to debate the key “elements that will shape the global agenda in 2007.”

During the forum, King Abdullah will deliver an address on challenges facing the Middle East region, foremost of which is the Palestinian-Israeli struggle.

The King's speech will also include suggestions on ways to benefit from the region's capabilities and potentials to arrive at regional progress and prosperity.

In addition, the King will highlight the importance of exchanging expertise and building partnerships.

On the sidelines of the Davos forum, King Abdullah is scheduled to meet with several leading political and media figures, in addition to chief executive officers of major international companies.

Reflecting the role of modern technology in shifting the power balance between individuals and institutions, the forum will this year open nearly a quarter of its debates to the general public via webcasts, podcasts, and for the first time, vodcasts.

Over 50 of the forum's 220 sessions will be webcast, with selected participants interviewed in the 3D virtual world of Second Life.

Meanwhile, Jordan will once again host the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East in May this year, held under the slogan “Harnessing Diversity for a Common Future.”

The forum, the fourth to be held at the Dead Sea, will focus on the emergence of new “high-growth” industries and their capacity to have a major impact on the economic growth of the region, particularly job creation.

The meeting will also provide a forum for dialogue between Islam and the West, according to the WEF, with discussion issues covering topics ranging from social and moral questions to political development and security issues.

The World Economic Forum, founded in 1971 by Klaus M. Schwab, is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industrial agendas.

The Jordan Times