EVENTS

For a more comprehensive list of events in trade and sustainable development, please refer to ICTSD's web calendar at: http://www.ictsd.org/cal/index.htm. If you would like to submit an event, please email events@ictsd.ch.

Coming Up: 19 - 25 July

2 - 27 July, Geneva, Switzerland. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) 2007 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION. The 2007 Substantive Session for ECOSOC will be organised as follows: high-level segment (2-5 July 2007); dialogue with the Executive Secretaries of the regional commissions (6 July 2007); coordination segment (6-10 July 2007); operational activities segment (10-13 July 2007); humanitarian affairs segment 16-18 July 2007); general segment (19-26 July 2007); and conclusion of the work of the Council (27 July 2007). For more information, email ecosocinfo@un.org. internet: http://www.un.org/docs/ecosoc/meetings/2007/

23 July - 10 August, New York, New York. THIRTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN. This Committee will hold its thirty-ninth session at UN headquarters in New York from 23 July to 10 August 2007. The Committee is expected to examine the following country reports from States Parties: Cook Island, Belize, Brazil, Estonia, Guinea, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea and Singapore. internet: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/39sess.htm

26-29 July, Ravello, Italy. 11th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGIES: NEW FRONTIERS AND PRODUCTS - ECONOMICS, POLICIES AND SCIENCE. Topics that will be discussed at this conference include the impact of agricultural biotechnology on international trade, biotechnology and developing countries, and regulation of biotechnology. The conference is being organised by the International Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology Research (ICABR), Catholic University of Leuven, CEIS- University of Rome, Rutgers University, and the Economic Growth Center, Yale University. internet: http://www.economia.uniroma2.it/conferenze/icabr2007/

WTO Events

An updated list of forthcoming WTO meetings is posted at: http://www.wto.org/meets_public/meets_e.pdf. Please bear in mind that dates and times of WTO meetings are often changed, and that the WTO does not always announce the important informal meetings of the different bodies. Unless otherwise indicated, all WTO meetings are held at the WTO, Centre William Rappard, rue de Lausanne 154, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland, and are open to WTO Members and accredited observers only.

19 July: WORKING PARTY ON THE ACCESSION OF MONTENEGRO

20 July: TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY - BAHRAIN

20 July: NEGOTIATING GROUP ON TRADE FACILITATION

24 July: DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BODY

26 July: TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE

Other Upcoming Events

31 July - 1 August, New York, New York. CLIMATE CHANGE AS A GLOBAL CHALLENGE. This thematic debate will be convened by UN General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa following a request from the European Union and the Association of East Asian Nations New York Committee. The first day of the debate will consist of two interactive panel discussions, bringing together experts on the impact of climate change, mitigation and adaptation strategies, new technologies, and finance. During the second day, there will be a general discussion open to all; Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Climate Change Envoys will participate in the opening of the discussion. internet: http://www.un.org/ga/president/61/follow-up/thematic-climate.shtml

22-25 August, Jaipur, India. BUILDING SKILLS ON COMMERCIAL & ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY - TRAINING SEMINAR FOR MID-LEVEL CIVIL SERVANTS AND EXECUTIVES. This training seminar, organised by the India-based CUTS Institute for Regulation and Competition, will impart knowledge and information on multiple aspects of commercial and economic diplomacy in the context of globalisation and economic relations among countries. The seminar will feature presentations from experts of various backgrounds, who will conduct sessions with case studies and hands-on exercises. The seminar is aimed for mid-level government officials (from trade and other economic ministries), representatives from intergovernmental and multilateral agencies, and other stakeholders such as business persons. internet: www.circ.in/pdf/BrochureCDS02.pdf

27-31 August, Vienna, Austria. UNFCCC DIALOGUE AND KYOTO PROTOCOL AWG 4. This will be the fourth workshop of the 'Dialogue on long-term cooperative action to address climate change by enhancing implementation of the Convention' and the fourth session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG). internet: www.unfcc.int

3-14 September, Madrid, Spain. EIGHTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UN CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATON (COP-8). COP-8 of the CCD will consider the following agenda items: programme and budget for the biennium 2008-2009; review of the implementation of the Convention; review of the report of the Committee on Science and Technology; review of activities for promotion of relationships with other relevant organisations; follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development; Regional Coordination Units; and review of the 2006 International Year of Deserts and Desertification activities. internet: http://www.unccd.int/

4-5 October, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO PUBLIC FORUM 2007: "HOW CAN THE WTO HELP HARNESS GLOBALISATION?" The WTO Public Forum 2007 will address how the WTO can help harness globalisation. The sub-themes are: 1. Global Governance: the challenges that interdependence and globalisation present and the role the WTO can play to ensure that globalisation works to the benefit of all peoples; 2. Coherence: (a) the need for national and international coherence; and (b) the contribution of the WTO to the construction of a coherent multilateral system; 3. Economic Growth: trade as a vehicle for growth and development; and 4. Sustainable Development: the interaction of trade and sustainable development. internet: http://www.wto.org/english/forums_e/public_forum2007_e/forum07_e.htm.