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25-29 January, Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEETING 2012. This annual forum will convene under the theme “The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models” and will address the rebalancing and deleveraging that is reshaping the present global economy. In the short term, this transformation is seen in the context of how developed countries will deleverage their finances without falling into a recession and how emerging countries will tackle inflation and future economic obstacles. In the long term, organisers note, both will play out as the world population passes 7 billion while being interconnected through information technology on an historic scale, leading to transformational changes in social values, resource needs and technological innovations. With this context in mind, this event aims to bring together leaders for the purpose of defining what the future should look like, aligning stakeholders around that vision, and inspiring their institutions to realise that vision. For more information on this annual global forum, please visit the WEF website.
26 January, Geneva, Switzerland. LDC IV MONITOR: AN INDEPENDENT PARTNERSHIP FOR THE MONITORING OF THE OUTCOME OF THE FOURTH UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. This event was recently established by a group of think tanks and academic institutions from LDC and partner countries for the purpose of assessing the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) for the Least Developed Countries. It also aims to add value to the official follow-up and review mechanism of the IPoA, in line with the IPoA’s mandate. The event strives to enhance the transparency of the Istanbul follow-up process, promote accountability by development partners, agencies and national governments, and foster efficiency in the graduation of LDCs. Current partners include ICTSD, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the OECD Development Centre, the Centre for Applied Economic Studies (CREA), Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), Foundation for International Development Study and Research (FERDI), Galatasaray University (GSU), and the Commonwealth Secretariat (ComSec). For more information, please visit ICTSD’s website for the event.
26-27 January, Washington, US. TRANSFORMING TRANSPORTATION 2012. Held at the World Bank in Washington, DC, this ninth annual conference will focus on sustainable transport in cities world-wide. Over the two days, event participants, who will include 300 of the world’s leading transport and urban development experts, will reflect briefly on the past successes and ongoing challenges of implementing sustainable urban transport and development, and then to turn their attention to scaling up for the future. Event sessions will include moderated panel discussion on sustainable transport ideas, private sector finance, and transitioning to a green economy. The event is being jointly hosted by EMBARQ, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Institute for Transportation Development and Policy, the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities, and the Partnership for Sustainable Low Carbon Transport. Please note that this event is open to the public. For more information, please visit the event’s website.
31 January, Brussels, Belgium. THIRD ANNUAL BRUSSELS THINK TANK DIALOGUE: SOLIDARITY AND AUSTERITY: THE 2012 STATE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. The world today is facing a series of challenges, including the need to implement austerity packages in EU countries, along with increasing social discontent. In light of these concerns, ten Brussels-based think tanks have joined forces to discuss the issue of solidarity and austerity in the European Union at their third annual Brussels Think Tank Dialogue. In five invitation-only workshops, the Think Tank Dialogue will focus on Energy and Natural Resources; Economic and Social Challenges; the EU Budget; Migration and Integration; and External Relations. These workshops seek to deliver cutting-edge policy analysis and innovative recommendations for the future; these sessions will be followed by an open plenary discussion. Speakers at the event will include Martin Schulz, the new President of the European Parliament; Nicolaj Wammen, Danish Minister for European Affairs; Jaimini Bhagwati, Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg, and to the European Union, among others. To find out more about this annual event, please visit the conference’s website.
WTO Events
An updated list of forthcoming WTO meetings is posted here. 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.
25 + 27 January: Trade Policy Review Body - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
31 January: Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation
1 February: Council for Trade in Goods
Other Upcoming Events
3-4 February, Kathmandu, Nepal. COST OF ECONOMIC NON-COOPERATION TO CONSUMERS IN SOUTH ASIA. This event, hosted by CUTS International, aims to distribute the findings of The Asia Foundation-supported project entitled Cost of Economic Non-Cooperation to Consumers in South Asia and discuss both its recommendations and areas for further research on intra-regional trade costs in South Asia. CUTS International launched this project to examine the potential benefits of increased intra-regional trade to consumers in the region. Participants will analyse reasons for economic non-cooperation among South Asian countries, assess the costs in terms of loss of consumer welfare, and develop recommendations for enhancing trade and investment relations in the South Asian region. For more information about this meeting, please visit the CUTS International website for the event.
10 February, Geneva, Switzerland. CONFERENCE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY. Held at the University of Geneva, this international conference aims to inform the public and those attending on the recent developments regarding intellectual property in the pharmaceutical industry. It will also discuss the present and future challenges of intellectual property law from an international, European, and Swiss perspective. This event welcomes anyone interested in the present and future challenges of intellectual property law. As a special note, participants from non-profit organisations can benefit from a reduced registration fee (contact Nicole Crausaz: Nicole.crausaz@unige.ch). For more details, please visit the event’s website.
20-22 February, Nairobi, Kenya. TWELFTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL/GLOBAL MINISTERIAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM. Hosted by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this forum will be held in the United Nations Office in Nairobi. The ministerial consultations during this special session will focus on emerging policy issues under the overall theme of “The Environmental Agenda in the Changing World: From Stockholm (1972) to Rio (2012).” The Council/Forum will also consider reports submitted by the Executive Director on various issues, as requested by decisions of the Council adopted at previous sessions. In addition, the Council/Forum will take up any other issues that may be raised by its members. Find more details about the GCSS-XII GMEF at the event’s website.
21-22 February, Basel, Switzerland. GLOBAL ENERGY BASEL (GEB) SUMMIT: THE SECOND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING SUMMIT. The GEB founders and their network partners, which includes ICTSD, believe that sustainable infrastructure is key to answering four of the major challenges of the 21st century: climate change, resource scarcity, population growth, and urbanisation. This two-day conference will bring together high-profile representatives from governments, the private sector, and civil society to address the financing of sustainable urban infrastructure. The goal of the conference is to enable investment in modern cities, while proposing solutions to urban ecological challenges, including resource scarcity, energy security, and global warming. GEB also provides international organisations and industry representatives with a forum to discuss innovative financing of sustainable urban infrastructure projects. To register for the Summit or for more information, please visit the event’s website.
14-16 March, Vancouver, Canada. TWELFTH ANNUAL GLOBE CONFERENCE 2012. Hosted by the GLOBE Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), this event offers platforms for thinking, dialogue, and action by the worldwide financial services and investment community in preparation for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD Rio +20). GLOBE 2012 aims to bring together leaders from government, the private sector, and civil society to discuss current trends and to showcase innovative technology solutions for the world’s environmental problems. The trade show and sustainable business conference also seeks to provide opportunities for discussing a roadmap to a financially sustainable economy. Conference session topics will include developing sustainability initiatives through social media, efficient water use for corporations, and more. For more information about GLOBE 2012, please visit the event’s website.
21-26 April, Doha, Qatar. THIRTEENTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD XIII) AND CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM. This Conference will convene under the theme Development-centred globalization: Towards inclusive and sustainable growth and development.” The Conference’s aim is to enhance the understanding of specific trade and development issues, especially after the fallout of the economic crisis. In parallel with the Conference, UNCTAD has also partnered with the United Nations Non-Government Liaison Service and the Qatari National Human Rights Committee to organise a Civil Society Forum, where representatives from NGOs, the private sector, and civil society will explore different ways to strengthen partnerships with UNCTAD to boost the effectiveness of trade and development efforts. The Civil Society Forum will begin its work on 17 April. As an important reminder to those civil organisations that do not have observer status with UNCTAD and wish to participate in the Conference and the Civil Society Forum, the deadline for applications for the accreditation to the UNCTAD XIII is 31 January. For more information on the UNCTAD XIII Conference and the Civil Society Forum, please visit the UNCTAD XIII website.
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