Forum can provide impetus for plans to help the Middle East make economic progress.
Engulfed as it is in a dark cloud of recession, the global economy has undergone a major shake-up since the last gathering of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Middle East, which is the main focus of the latest WEF meeting being held in Jordan, is the last geographical patch to have been affected by the credit crunch.
The stakes for global and regional leaders - both in the public and private sectors - couldn't have been higher. So, when more than 1,400 sound minds gather at an event to focus on the Middle East, people tend to look at it with a lot of hope and despair - hope against hope - that the Palestinian crisis will be solved sooner than later.
King Abdullah of Jordan hit the right chord by asking Israel to commit to peace in his opening address on Friday while the Palestinians were observing Nakba - the day they lost their home land.
Economic empowerment could help mitigate the pain of people forced out from their land. While the resolution of political issues might take time, the Middle East's governments could seek ways to empower people by providing education and employment opportunities that will help the region move ahead economically. The key to achieving this is to back regulations with openness, good governance and transparency.
