Lessons from the past and challenges for the new millennium

Results on vertex detectors at various stages of operation and in different radiation environments were presented at VERTEX’99. We continue gaining experience from the long-term operation of vertex detectors and precision trackers at LEP, CDF, SLD, H1 and NOMAD. Preliminary results from the new vertex detectors coming on line at the B factories were presented. Intense R&D is taking place for the large scale and high radiation environment of the future experiments at the LHC. New detectors at the Tevatron, HERA-b and for heavy ion experiments should provide the first test of severe radiation conditions and high multiplicity events before the LHC will turn on.