The meeting took place in the framework of the annual Sderot conference and was headed by Members of Knesset Dr. Dov Khenin and Nitzan Horovitz and joined by the Minister of Environmental Protection Amir Peretz, the President of the Sderot Conference, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Uzi Dayan, and several representatives of environmental NGOs from southern Israel.

The participants discussed plans for a sustainable development of the Negev, which is one of the socioeconomically weak regions of Israel. A main issue of concern that was discussed during the meeting are construction plans for a new train connection from Tel Aviv to Eilat which would lead through protected environmental spaces.

All speakers agreed that in order to support a sustainable development of the region, the goverment shall take into account the needs of the population and consult with the regional representatives and civil society representatives.