For a more comprehensive list of events in trade and sustainable development, please refer to ICTSD’s web calendar. 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.
Coming up in the next four weeks
15-16 December 2003, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO GENERAL COUNCIL. Organised by the World Trade Organization. The General Council is the WTO’s highest-level decision-making body in Geneva, meeting regularly to carry out the functions of the WTO. It has representatives (usually ambassadors or equivalent) from all member governments and has the authority to act on behalf of the ministerial conference, which only meets about every two years. For further information, contact: WTO Media Relations Division; tel: (+41 22) 739-5007; fax: 739-5458; email: enquiries@wto.org.
15-17 December 2003, Chennai, India: THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH. Organised by the University of Madras and Karnataka Environment Research Foundation. The overall theme of this conference is: urban planning and environmental management for human health, with sub-themes including: the local environment of slum areas and human health, water quality, water borne diseases and public participation in management of environment and health problems. For further information, contact: Dr. V. Madha Suresh, Deparment of Geography, tel: (+91 44) 2658-3044; Internet: http://www.yorku.ca/bunchmj/ICEH/index.htm
12-16 January 2004, Gland, Switzerland: 30TH MEETING OF THE RAMSAR STANDING COMMITTEE. Organised by Ramsar a Multilateral Environment Agreement concerned with the conservation and wise use of natural resources of wetlands. The Standing Committee meets annually to carry out interim activity between each COP on matters previously approved by the Conference; prepare documentation for consideration at the next COP; supervise implementation of policy by the Ramsar Bureau and execution of the Bureau’s budget; and decide upon applications for project support from the Ramsar Small Grants Fund. For further information, contact: Dwight Peck, Executive Assistant for Communications, tel: (+41 22) 999-0170; fax: 999-0169; email: peck@ramsar.org; Internet: http://ramsar.org/meetings.htm
12-13 January 2004, Monterrey, Mexico: SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS. A special meeting of the Presidents and Prime Ministers of 34 member countries of the Organisation of American States (OAS). The Summit will discuss concerns, seek solutions and develop a shared vision for the future development of the region, be it economic, social or political in nature. For further information, contact: Secretariat for the Summit Process, OAS, Suite 680, Washington, DC, 20006, tel: (+1 202) 458-3127; fax: 458-3665; email: summit-info@oas.org; Internet: http://www.summitsoftheamericas.org/default.htm
15-16 January 2004, Geneva, Switzerland: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNECE REGION. The First Regional Implementation Forum On Sustainable Development is organised by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The Forum aims at providing substantial inputs to the Review Year of the UNECE and contribute to the twelfth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-12) scheduled for 16-30 April 2004. For further information, contact: the UNECE Secretariat, tel: (+41 22) 917-4444; fax: 917-0107; email: subashini.narasimhan@unece.org; Internet: http://www.unece.org/env/wgso/Sustainable%20Development/sd_forum.jan2004.htm
Other Forthcoming
16 January 2004, Geneva, Switzerland: PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR UNCTAD XI - CIVIL SOCIETY HEARING. This meeting will be held at the Palais des Nations in preparation for UNCTAD XI, which will be held from 13-18 June 2003 in Sao Paolo, Brazil. UNCTAD XI is seen as an opportunity for tackling the most pressing developmental challenges confronting developing countries. For questions, including future meetings and accreditation to the Conference, please contact Amel Haffouz, email: amel.haffouz@unctad.org; Internet: http://www.unctad.org
9 May - 26 September 2004, Barcelona, Spain. FORUM BARCELONA 2004. The forum will bring together people from all over the world to debate issues around the themes of sustainable development, cultural diversity and conditions for peace. For 141 days, this will be the place where visitors experience cultures and entertainment from around the world through exhibitions, markets, performances, games and more. For further information, tel: (+34 93) 320-9010; email: forum@barcelona2004.org; http://www.barcelona2004.org/eng/.
17-25 November, Bangkok, Thailand: THE 3RD IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS: "PEOPLE AND NATURE, MAKING THE DIFFERENCE". Organised by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The Congress will consist of a 3 day World Conservation Forum and a four-day Members’ Business Assembly. During the Forum, IUCN members, partners and interested stakeholders will debate options that safeguard the ecosystems upon which future prosperity depends. During the Assembly, IUCN members - governments and NGOs - will approve the 2005-2008 IUCN Programme Framework and Financial Plan, elect officers, consider resolutions and recommendations, and set the membership dues. For further information, contact: IUCN, tel: (+41 22) 999-0232; fax: 999-0020; email: ursula.hiltbrunner@iucn.org; Internet: http://www.iucn.org/about/wcc/wcc.pdf
17-21 November 2004, Geneva, Switzerland: FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE ROTTERDAM CONVENTION (COP-1): COP-1, preceded by a last meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in September, is tentatively scheduled for November 2004. For more information, contact: the Joint Interim Secretariat, Niek van der Graaff, FAO, tel: (+39 65) 705-3441; fax: 705-6347; email: Niek.VanderGraaff@fao.org; or Jim Willis, UNEP Chemicals; tel: (+41 22) 917-8111; fax: (+41 22) 797-3460; email: chemicals@unep.ch; Internet: http://www.pic.int.
Vacancy Announcement
ISEAL Alliance, an association that supports socially responsible and environmentally sound production is seeking an Executive Director. This person will be responsible for long-term planning, fundraising and program implementation, as well as coordination of the policy analysis and advocacy program. The ideal candidate will have at least five years experience in a senior management position and demonstrated success in raising funds. The person will be comfortable analysing and communicating complex ideas in international trade and standardization policy environments, and will have practical experience of voluntary standards and conformity assessment. This position will be based at the ISEAL Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. For further information, see: http://www.isealalliance.org. Please forward your resume by 15 January 2004 to: ISEAL Alliance, Box 1227, Kaslo, BC, V0G 1M0 Canada; email: secretariat@isealalliance.org.