Ministerial 2005 Events

This section is provided for the purposes of highlighting activities undertaken during the 2005 WTO Ministerial Conference by groups other than ICTSD. Unless otherwise indicated, the following groups or activities are not connected to or endorsed by ICTSD, which maintains a non-partisan role in all its undertakings.

To have your event listed in this section, please contact Trineesh Biswas.

9-10 December, Hong Kong, China: IP3: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INNOVATION POLICIES AND INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES. This conference, jointly organised by the China Information Technology & Law Centre at the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law and the Intellectual Property & Communications Law Program at Michigan State University College of Law, will bring together leading academics, legal practitioners, technology experts and policy makers to address the latest developments and challenges in the areas of intellectual property and information technology. For further information contact Eliza Li, tel: (+852) 2859-2951; fax: (+852) 2559-3543; e-mail: ewlli@hkusua.hku.hk.

ICTSD Event: 12 December, Hong Kong, China: COTTON DAY: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE HONG KONG MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE? This event, organised by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), in collaboration with Enda Tiers Monde, the African Cotton Association (ACA), the African Cotton Producers Association (APROCA), Oxfam International and the Permanent Mission of Benin in Geneva, will provide a platform for dialogue and information exchange on the Sectoral Initiative on Cotton. Discussion will be in French and English -- translation will be provided. For further information contact El Hadji Diouf, tel: (+41) 22-917-8509; fax: (+41) 22-917-8093; e-mail: ediouf@ictsd.ch Click here for more information on Cotton day in English / Français.

12 December, Hong Kong, China. SEMINAR ON COMMODITIES AND DEVELOPMENT. The purpose of this seminar, organised by the South Centre, is to raise awareness about problems related to commodity dependency in the South and the related implications for the trade and development of commodity-dependent developing countries. Simultaneous language interpretation in English, Spanish and French will be available. For further information contact Luisa Rodriguez, tel: (+41) 22-791-8050; fax: (+41) 22-798-8531; e-mail: rodriguez@southcentre.org.

12 December, Hong Kong, China: SOUTH ASIAN CIVIL SOCIETY'S PERSPECTIVE ON DOHA ROUND. The event, jointly organised by the Consumer Unity and Trust Society's Centre for Competition, Investment and Economic Regulation (CUTS-CCIER) and South Asia Watch on Trade Economics & Environment (SAWTEE), will launch the book "Developing a Common South Asian Position in Doha Round: A Civil Society's Perspective." The book release will be followed by a panel discussion on the issues covered in the publication. For further information contact Ritu Lodha, tel: (+91) 141-228-2821; fax: (+91) 141-228-2485; e-mail: rl@cuts.org.

12 December, Hong Kong, China: PANEL DISCUSSION ON DEVELOPMENT IN DOHA ROUND. This event, organised by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), will discuss the 'development' dimension of the Doha Round and will launch key RIS publications on the theme. A panel discussion will follow. For further information contact Sachin Chaturvedi, tel: (+91) 11-2468-2177 to 80; fax: (+91) 11-2468-2173 / 74; e-mail: sachin@ris.org.in.

ICTSD Event: 13-17 December, Hong Kong, China: HONG KONG TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM. Co-convened by ICTSD and the University of Hong Kong in collaboration with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP). The goal of this symposium, organised by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), is to encourage innovative thinking on issues related to trade and development, which would subsequently be translated into constructive inputs for the ongoing Doha Round negotiations. The main topics for discussions will be drawn from key development-related issues in the trade policy and trade rules arena. Particular attention will be paid to how trade policies can help meet the needs of sustainable human development as embodied in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This event will be held at the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre. For further information contact Patrick Lunt, tel: (+41) 22-917-8837; fax: (+41) 22-917-8093; e-mail: plunt@ictsd.ch.

13 December, Hong Kong, China: DEFINING ALTERNATIVES TO THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS. This meeting, organised by the European United Left/Nordic Green Left Group Parliamentary Group (GUE/NGL) of the European Parliament will allow "progressive parliamentarians" and representatives of social movements to exchange ideas on how to develop an alternative to the current international trade agenda. Location: South Pacific Hotel. For further information contact Paul-Emile Dupret, e-mail: pdupret@europarl.eu.int or Pierre Rousset pierre.rousset@ras.eu.org.

13 December, Hong Kong, China. HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUE ON THE WTO AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. This Ministerial side event will examine the relationship between the WTO and sustainable development at this critical stage of the Doha Development Agenda. Key speakers will introduce the topic followed by an interactive discussion period where participants can react and express their views. The event will also launch the publication of the recent UNU Press book 'the WTO and Sustainable Development' by Gary P. Sampson. Venue: Plaza V, Novotel Century Hotel, Hong Kong, Time: 8-10am, breakfast will be provided. For further information please contact Rebecca Carter, tel: (+81) 45-221-2335; fax: (+81) 45-221-2302; email: carter@ias.unu.edu.

14 December, Hong Kong, China: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES AND TRADE LIBERALISATION. This event, organised by JF ZENGYOREN (the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations of Japan) and YUTAIKYO (the All Japan Seafood Import Consultative Group), will discuss necessary considerations for forthcoming trade rules with regard to ensuring the sustainable development of fisheries and fishing communities. For further information contact JF ZENGYOREN, tel: (+81) 3-3294-9617; fax: (+81) 3-3294-9602; e-mail: kokusai-sato@r6.dion.ne.jp.

14 December, Hong Kong, China. EMPOWERING RESEARCH AND TRAINING COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. This Ministerial side event will discuss the University Professor Training Programme on the WTO and Sustainable Development, a project developed by the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) and the WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation. The Training Programme aims to build institutional capacity by increasing the number of courses focussing on WTO and trade and sustainable development at universities in developing countries. Venue: Plaza V, Novotel Century Hotel, Hong Kong, Time: Side event 5-6.30pm, cocktail reception 6.30-8pm. For further information please contact Rebecca Carter, tel: (+81) 45-221-2335; fax: (+81) 45-221-2302; email: carter@ias.unu.edu.

14 December, Hong Kong, China. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT IN THE WTO DOHA ROUND: AN INTERNATIONAL LAW EXPERTS PANEL EVENT. This Experts Panel Event, organised by the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) in partnership with Foreign Affairs Canada, will provide a space for expert discussants from the trade law and policy community to debate the conclusions of a new Legal Working Paper. The paper will address topics related to the role of sustainable development in the Doha Round negotiations. A Report will be produced detailing the conclusions of the event. The event will be held at the Ritz Carelton Hotel, Canadian Delegation Room (17:00-19:00). For further information contact Marie Bourdeau, Communications Officer, tel: (+1) 514-398-8918; fax: (+1) 514-398-8197; e-mail: mbourdeau@cisdl.org; internet: http://www.cisdl.org/seminars004.html.

14 December, Hong Kong, China. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN WORLD TRADE LAW SPECIAL COCKTAIL RECEPTION AND BOOK LAUNCH. This book launch is organised by the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) in partnership with the Canadian Consulate General and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The event will bring the new trade law book to the attention of international legal experts, academics, policy-makers and civil society organisations, as well as reaching out to engage the broader Hong Kong legal, academic and international community. The book makes an important contribution to current research on the impact that trade law may have on sustainable development. The event will be held at the Ritz Carelton Hotel, Canadian Delegation Room (15:30-17:00). For further information contact Marie Bourdeau, Communications Officer, tel: (+1) 514-398-8918; fax: (+1) 514-398-8197; e-mail: mbourdeau@cisdl.org; internet: http://www.cisdl.org/seminars004.html.

15 December, Hong Kong, China. THE DOHA ROUND DSU REFORM AND WTO AGRICULTURE DISPUTES INTERNATIONAL LAW EXPERTS PANEL EVENT. This event, organised by the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the International Development Law Organisation, will provide a space for expert discussants from the trade law and policy community to debate the conclusions of a new Legal Working Paper. The paper will focus on topics such as sustainable development issues in relation to the WTO Appellate Body's role in current Doha Round negotiations and the most significant WTO Panel and Appellate Body decisions in the area of Agriculture in the last decade. A Report will be produced detailing the conclusions of the event. For further information contact Marie Bourdeau, Communications Officer, tel: (+1) 514-398-8918; fax: (+1) 514-398-8197; e-mail: mbourdeau@cisdl.org.

15 December, Hong Kong China: FISHERIES SUBSIDIES DISCIPLINES IN THE WTO: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES. The fisheries subsidies negotiations give the WTO an unusual opportunity to help improve the environmental and economic health of the world's fisheries while reducing competitive distortions in a critical natural resource sector. This panel discussion, organised by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), will discuss the current state of play in the WTO negotiations focusing on some of the key challenges and opportunities WTO members face in developing effective and meaningful disciplines on fisheries subsidies. For further information contact Aimee Gonzales, tel: (+41) 22-364-9002; fax: (+41) 22-364-8219; e-mail: agonzales@wwfint.org.

15 December, Hong Kong, China: BEIJING+10 MEETS WTO+10: POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN THE RUBRIC OF TRADE LIBERALISATION. This International Gender and Trade Network (IGTN) workshop will bring together women's groups, trade activists and social movements for a discussion on the broad understanding of the link between women's rights, gender equality and trade regulations and the use of the Beijing Platform for Action as a tool for assessment and advocacy. For further information contact Kristen Sampson, tel: (+1) 202-635-2757 ext 128; fax: (+1) 202-832-9494; e-mail: ksampson@coc.org or Maria Pia Hernandez, e-mail: maria.pia@igtn.org.

18 December, Hong Kong, China: AFTER HONG-KONG: PROSPECTS FOR COMMON ACTIONS. This European United Left/Nordic Green Left Group Parliamentary Group (GUE/NGL) of the European Parliament meeting will bring together "progressive parliamentarians" and representatives of social movements to discuss developing alternatives to the current international trade agenda in the wake of the WTO's Hong Kong Ministerial Conference. Location: South Pacific Hotel. For further information contact Paul-Emile Dupret, e-mail: pdupret@europarl.eu.int or Pierre Rousset pierre.rousset@ras.eu.org.

18 December, Hong Kong, China: FOOD AID GOVERNANCE: FROM HONG KONG TO LONDON. This workshop, organised by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, will identify the impediments to ensuring that international food aid responds effectively and efficiently to food emergencies. The purpose of the workshop is to clarify the important relationships between the WTO agricultural negotiations on food aid disciplines (Hong Kong) and the impending Food Aid Convention negotiations (London). Venue: Room D, NGO Centre - 1400-1600 hrs. For further information contact Kenton Lobe tel: (+1) 204-944-1993 (Canada) or (+852) 9364-6910 (HK); e-mail: k_lobe@foodgrainsbank.ca.