With the global financial markets in crisis, the U.S. health care system under stress, and increasingly difficult challenges emerging in energy and the environment, America faces urgent issues that require action. On November 17-18, The Wall Street Journal convened nearly one hundred CEOs of major global companies for a working session to focus on the key priorities facing President-elect Obama and the new Congress as they take office during tumultuous economic times.

The proceedings opened on the evening on November 17, when U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. and two of his predecessors—Robert E. Rubin and Lawrence H. Summers—met with the group for dinner to address the subject that is at the top of everyone's agenda: the global economy. On November 18, the CEOs divided into four "task forces" to address key issues facing the new administration: finance and the U.S. economy; energy and the environment; health care; and America's role in the global economy. These task force discussions were facilitated by the Journal's top editors, and the participants also met with leading policymakers in each of the four areas.

The CEOs who participated in this meeting lead companies that employ 5.9 million people, generate more than $2.2 trillion in annual revenues, and represent a diverse cross section of industries.

The results will be captured in a special Wall Street Journal report to be published in the newspaper on November 24, 2008 and further information can also be found at http://blogs.wsj.com/ceo-council