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World Economic Forum Comes To New York – With New Office And U.S. Team


WEBWIRE

Geneva, Switzerland, 27 March 2006 – The World Economic Forum today celebrates the opening of its new North American headquarters in New York. To mark the event, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, and the new head of the US operation, Jean-Pierre Rosso, will ring the closing bell at the NASDAQ tomorrow (28 March).

The World Economic Forum USA Inc. is an independent, non-profit organization with its own board and officers. Jean-Pierre Rosso is the former Chairman and CEO of CNH Global NV, and was previously Chairman and CEO of Case Corporation (which through its merger with New Holland formed CNH Global NV). He currently serves on the boards of ADC Telecommunications, Eurazeo and Medtronic.

“The Forum has been working on this project for some time – and it’s great to finally be able to roll up our sleeves and get down to work. I’m excited to be working here in New York and I’m excited to join the World Economic Forum team and contribute to its mission to improve the state of the world,” said Rosso.

Operations from New York and Geneva will focus on developing the Industry Partnership programme, which is aimed at engaging global companies in the Forum’s activities at the industry level. To date, more than 80 companies have formally joined the programme, including more than 45 from North America.

Commenting on the announcement, Klaus Schwab said: “This step of expanding our presence in the US will help us better serve our core constituency, the business community, many members of which are based in North America or have significant operations there. Along with the recent announcement of an office in Beijing, it helps give the Forum a truly global presence. Jean-Pierre Rosso brings a wealth of experience and intelligence to his new role, and I have complete confidence that we will see the US operations thrive under his leadership. On a personal note, we have always had a very special relationship with New York – we even moved our Annual Meeting normally held in Davos to New York to show solidarity with the city after 9/11. In many ways the city is a home away from home"

Joining Rosso at the US operations will be Kevin Steinberg, who will become Chief Operating Officer of World Economic Forum USA Inc. Steinberg brings many years of experience with the World Economic Forum to his new role, having in recent years led its Membership and Partnership department, overseen its Geneva-based Industry teams and guided its Institutional Strategy function.

Kevin Steinberg noted: “Complementing our presence in Geneva with dedicated teams in New York will allow us to more effectively and systematically work with our corporate partners – not only those based in the US, but also globally. New York, as a leading centre for global business, is a focal point of expertise and activities for many industries. With the creation of the World Economic Forum USA Inc., we hope to become an integrated part of that hub, offering our members and partners a way to collectively engage on issues that matter to them most"

The Board of the World Economic Forum USA Inc. will initially include Al Berkeley, Chairman, Pipeline Trading Systems, formerly the President and Vice-Chairman of NASDAQ; Rajat Gupta, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company, formerly its Managing Director Worldwide; Joe Schoendorf, Partner, Accel Partners; with Jean-Pierre Rosso as its Chairman. Kevin Steinberg will serve as its Secretary.

Notes for Editors:
For more details on the World Economic Forum’s industry activities and the recent agreement to open an office in Beijing, China, please visit the World Economic Forum’s website (http://www.weforum.org)

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests.



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