Dubai-WEF team to debate global issues

The inaugural conference, called Summit on the Global Agenda, will be held in Dubai on November 7-9 and spearheaded by members of WEF's Global Agenda Councils, the world's eminent network of thinkers and leaders in the public and private sectors.

"The inaugural summit...is a unique opportunity for the world's most innovative and influential thinkers to share ideas and collaboratively develop solutions to address some of the most pressing issues on the global agenda," said WEF founder Klaus Schwab.

UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al Gergawi, who is also chairman of The Executive Office, Dubai, said the summit is proof that the country is also known for its association with the best innovators and thinkers on the planet.

"We will be working jointly with the WEF in developing this summit and reinforcing its role of global significance," he added.

Fiona Paua, a senior director and head of the Global Agenda Councils, said: "We are very excited about the partnership with the government of Dubai, which has embodied innovation and creativity for many years, and we look forward to develop jointly the Summit on the Global Agenda."

The statement said that 700 summit participants would come up with top 10 "breakthrough ideas" on how to improve the lives of peoples worldwide. Participation in the summit is by invitation only and limited to members of the Global Agenda Councils.

WEF created the Global Agenda Councils to further its mission-vision of making the world a more liveable place. The councils are multistakeholder groups having the most innovative and relevant minds as members.