More than 1,500 leaders from business, politics and civil society have gathered in Jordan for the Global Reconciliation Summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF), held June 21-23, 2003, and hosted by H.M King Abdullah II. The forum that was held under the theme “Visions for a Shared Future” has pledged itself to the future of the region, and to its social, political and economic regeneration. Over the course of the three-day meeting, the participants have the unique opportunity to work together to enhance economic prosperity and social development in the region. An analysis of the necessary reforms, including the need to improve competitiveness, create better conditions for foreign investment and promote free trade, were at the forefront of the discussions. 

In his keynote address at the opening session of the WEF, H. M. King Abdullah II affirmed that prosperity can not be achieved in any country or region in isolation, calling the participants in the extraordinary annual meeting to adopt a real partnership, a partnership based on common values and fate, to achieve the human development based on mutual respect and true dialogue. 

The king urged the Palestinians, Israelis and the international community to stay the course of Middle East peace, “The friends of peace within the region and around the world must stay the course.” He emphasized that the "vast majority" of Arabs and Israelis want peace that "extremists" are trying to undermine. 

In his opening remarks, German Federal President H.E. Mr Johannes Rau launched the “C100 initiative” - a council grouping political, business, religious, academic and artistic leaders committed to promoting dialogue amongst civilizations. WEF President professor Klaus Schwab noted, “the Global Reconciliation Summit in Jordan is part of a continued and long-term effort by the Forum to contribute to peace and security in the Middle East.” ”We are at a historic moment for the Middle East, offering great opportunity amid the ever present risks,” he said. 

During the forum King Abdullah has launched a pilot educational scheme. The Jordan Education Initiative will bring together leaders from the IT and telecom industries with Jordanian counterparts to create the project that was designed to improve education in the Kingdom. Jordan has been selected as the pilot nation for the implementation of the ambitious project for the delivery of effective e-learning to its citizens. The King noted that this initiative forms the first step, if it succeeds, in transforming the telecommunication industry and information technology to neighbouring counties especially that it guarantees creating ideal environment to pursue the development of Jordanian human resources and to prepare qualified staff. For his part, President of the WEF Schwab said that there is a confidence in the coordination and cooperation among the various participating parties in the field of education, Schwab affirmed that such an initiative will undoubtedly build a better and promising future for the coming generations. 

Another significant topic that was taken up at the forum, aims at rescuing the Dead Sea from total evaporation and sparing the country an environmental catastrophe by building a canal along the Jordanian-Israeli border that would carry water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. During the forum, Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli officials have agreed in principle to terms of reference regarding an environmental, social and feasibility study by the World Bank on the project. Officials also discussed future plans for implementing the Protection of the Dead Sea Initiative. Environmental experts have warned repeatedly that Dead Sea water levels were dropping fast, as a result of the diversion of Jordan River water for irrigation.

Furthermore, H.M. King Abdullah II inaugurated the Jordan Bromine Company at the Dead Sea. The company is a joint venture between the Arab Potash Company and Albemarle Corporation / USA, which owns the technical and the marketing know-how. Valued at approximately $130 million, Jordan Bromine is the largest U.S. investment to date in Jordan and one of the biggest four bromine producing plants in the world.