World Economic Forum Annual Report 2006/2007

World Economic Forum Annual Report 2006/2007ExecutiveChairman’sstatementProfessor Klaus SchwabOnce again the World Economic Forum hasshown itself to be an innovative, dynamicand insightful organization. Acting as acatalyst for global change, we have deliveredconcrete results that reinforce our mission toimprove the state of the world. We achievedthis at a time when we continue to expandand evolve to meet the changing needs ofour partners and members worldwide.2006/2007 saw a number of key strategicchallenges and opportunities – many of whichwe share with our members. We have continuedto work closely with our members and partnersas well as with other key stakeholders fromgovernment and civil society in our mission toshape the global agenda in a positive way. Aspart of this mission we have all had to addressthe increasing prominence of Asia in the globaleconomy and polity. In addition we have a rangeof emerging global companies that will take theirplace in the global economy in the near future.We have also addressed the growingimportance of online communities both in theway we do business, how the Forum itselfworks, and the way we conduct our lives.And we have continued to give prominence toidentifying and understanding a new generationof global leaders.The Forum shares with all its members andpartners a responsibility and an obligation toreduce its impact on the environment and searchfor sustainable solutions. As part of this focus,this year the Forum is sending all members acondensed print version of this annual report,while offering the full version on our website atwww.weforum.org/annualreport. We hope thatyou understand and welcome this move. Theannual report is also available in Arabic, Chinese,French, German, Japanese and Spanish.Shaping the global agenda:a new global allianceFor many years, the Forum was a relativelylone voice in its passionate advocacy of amultistakeholder approach to global issues.British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom I wasdelighted to welcome as a member of ourFoundation Board in June, captured thistruth particularly eloquently at this year’sAnnual Meeting.Mr Blair said: “Nations, even the most great,are realizing that they cannot pursue their narrownational interests without invoking broader globalvalues. They are obliged to recognize thatinterdependence is the defining characteristicof the early twenty-first century. The shiftingpower equation is, in part, obviously aboutemerging new powers; but it is equally about thefact that power over global issues can only beeffectively wielded today by global alliances, inturn based on global values.”The key role of business in this ‘global alliance’is becoming increasingly apparent. In 2006/2007,the Forum acted to ensure that our businessexpertise and influence were as assured, andinvaluable to members, as those of our regionaland global perspectives.In this context, I’m pleased that the concept ofCorporate Global Citizenship is evolving from apoorly understood slogan to a key principle andstrategic cornerstone of responsible businesses.Corporations have not only a licence to operatein a global space, but also a ‘civic duty’ tocontribute to the sustainable health of this globalspace in cooperation with governments and civilsociety. It is for this reason that Corporate GlobalCitizenship remains at the very heart of theForum’s activities.The increased engagement of membersdemonstrates the value they place in the Forumand its continuing evolution. In 2006/2007, I amvery pleased to report, our number of StrategicPartners increased by 18%, as further membercompanies signalled their closer commitmentto the Forum by joining the programme.One-third of our staff, in 14 sector teams, arenow dedicated industry experts and, in 2007, ourNorth American office, World Economic ForumUSA, became firmly established as the globalheadquarters for our Centre for Global Industriesand for our Industry Partners programme, thusdeveloping unbeatable strategic perspectivesand a platform to support the concerted actionof our diverse stakeholders. Our IndustryPartnership community continues to grow. Weincreased the number of active members workingin a number of tight-knit communities on a rangeof industry and cross-industry projects by 95%.The Forum’s international expansion with anestablished office in Beijing and now newpremises for our New York headquarters, and theInaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions,this year in Dalian in China, has extended ourfootprint but has not diminished the Forum’scohesion and unity of purpose. We remain oneorganization, with a common mission and culture.Asia and the rise of the New ChampionsIt has become an established fact that the risingeconomies of Asia are poised to equal those ofthe West, revolutionizing the traditional economicorder. Building relationships and understandingbetween the ‘old’ and ‘new’ economies andbusiness leaders is essential for the futureprosperity and stability of both.The Forum has a long and successful historyof engagement in Asia, and in China and Indiain particular, where we have had a major impactin integrating those countries into the globalsystem. We are therefore perfectly placed tobe a powerful platform for interaction andcooperation between the emerging andestablished economies. This is something theForum has sought to do for many years but it’sclear that this must become a central strategicgoal for the Forum as it must be for many of ourmember companies. The Inaugural AnnualMeeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China