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: 2 August - 5 September

6-8 August, Bangkok, Thailand. ASIA-PACIFIC TROPICAL FOREST INVESTMENT FORUM: ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTING IN NATURAL TROPICAL FORESTS. This regional forum, hosted by the International Tropical Timber Organisation, offers an opportunity for participants to discuss ways to generate private and public investment in natural tropical forests. Plenary presentations and panel discussions will focus on regional investment trends, constraints and opportunities for increased investments in natural tropical forests, methodologies, case-studies, analysis and legislation that influence investments for revenue generation, including markets for forest services and non-timber forest products. internet: http://www.itto.or.jp/live/PageDisplayHandler?pageId=223&id=3289

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. UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE 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.unfccc.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/

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.

NO SCHEDULED WTO EVENTS

Other Upcoming Events

17-23 September, Oxford, England. CLIMATE CHANGE: SCIENCE, POLITICS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF UNCERTAINTY. Even with the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report making ever clearer the scientific consensus about humanity's contribution to global warming, the severity of its impact remains highly uncertain. This conference, hosted by Deutsche Wissenschaft, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will consider the difficulties of making policies to address the problems of global warming within a context of such uncertainty. internet: http://www.21stcenturytrust.org/2007.html#1

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.

22-23 November, Brussels, Belgium. 2007 CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. As global food demand is likely to rise significantly over the coming decades, sustainability has become a matter of necessity, whilst at the same time also offering a range of opportunities to act. This conference will bring to the forefront key aspects of sustainable agriculture and address issues that are challenging the food and drink industry now and in the future - from legislation, to consumer positions, industry outlook, farmers engagements and progress measurement. Conference participants will have the opportunity to network with industry players and listen and debate with representatives from EU institutions, NGOs and academia. Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, will deliver the keynote opening speech on the first day of the conference. internet: http://www.sustainableagriculture2007.eu/

3-14 December, Bali, Indonesia: THIRTEENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNFCCC AND THIRD MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE KYOTO PROTOCOL. UNFCCC COP 13 and Kyoto Protocol COP/MOP 3 will coincide with the 27th meetings of the UNFCCC's subsidiary bodies and the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments from Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol. COP 13 and COP/MOP 3 are also expected to be accompanied by a UNFCCC Dialogue on Long-Term Cooperative Action on Climate Change and various other events. For more information contact: tel: +49-228-815-1000; fax: +49-228-815-1999; email: secretariat@unfccc.int. internet: http://www.unfccc.int