Global Agenda summit to discuss humanity pressing challenges

The Summit on the Global Agenda being organised for the fifth -consecutive year in the UAE from November 12 to 14, 2012 in Dubai, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), will feature more than 85 dedicated Councils, which are specialised sessions that address pressing issues facing humanity today. These Councils will be attended by 1,000 global thought leaders, including over 100 experts and leaders from the UAE and the Arab world. The Councils will monitor the key trends, identify global risks, map interrelationships and address knowledge gaps in areas ranging from climate change, poverty, healthcare, urban development, literacy and women empowerment, among others. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy and Co-chair of the Summit, said: "The Councils, featuring global experts, are an important part and driver of the success of the Summit on the Global Agenda. There are a host of challenges in the world today that need to be addressed through a concerted mechanism, which the Councils will deliberate." He added: "With specialised focus and expert inputs, these Councils will shed light on some of the most critical issues facing humanity today. The discussions will foster interdisciplinary and long-range thinking to address the prevailing challenges on the global agenda. By hosting the Summit in the UAE, we also have the opportunity to share our country's perspectives and achievements, especially in the field of sustainability and urban development." The Councils will have relevant thought leaders from academia, government, business and other fields to discuss the best knowledge on each key issue and integrate it into the global collaboration and decision-making processes. This in turn enables the formulation of the global developmental agenda at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters next year. As multi-stakeholder groups formed to advance knowledge, the Councils collaboratively develop solutions to address the most crucial issues on the global agenda. These include Financing '&' Capital, Climate Change, Food '&' Water Security, Conflict Prevention, Intellectual Property System, Organized Crime and many other issues related to the region, Africa, Europe and the rest of the world.