Discuss this articleShare your views with other visitors, and read what they have to say
25 June, Geneva, Switzerland. SERVICES TRADE AND POLICY: WHAT DOES THE DATA SHOW? This seminar, organised by the World Bank Institute, will focus on one segment of trade that has weathered the financial crisis somewhat better than others: trade in services. In general, goods trade receives a lot of attention, predominately because data on trade and policy are easily available. New data-collection efforts are beginning to remedy our ignorance about services trade and policy. This seminar presents new evidence on range of questions: What are the trends in services trade? Is developing country participation growing? Has the crisis hurt services trade as badly as goods trade? How open are countries to services trade? Where is the protection? What has been accomplished in the numerous regional and bilateral negotiations on services? What has been accomplished so far in the services dimension of Doha? If interested, RSVP to Isabelle Taylor at itaylor@worldbank.org.
28-30 June, Marseille, France. CITIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE: RESPONDING TO THE URGENT AGENDA. This symposium, supported by the World Bank, OECD, UN Habitat, UNFPA and other donors, will address the impacts of city and urban growth on climate change; measuring and anticipating the consequences of climate change on urban quality of life, city assets, and local and national economies; and assessing alternatives to increase the resilience of cities and related costs and incentives required for successful implementation. The symposium is structured around five broad research clusters that represent the most relevant issues faced by cities and peri-urban areas on climate change. These clusters include: science and indicators of climate change, infrastructure and energy efficiency, institutions and urban planning, economics and finance, and the social aspects of climate change. For more information contact: urbansymposium@worldbank.org or visit http://www.urs2009.net/index.html.
29-30 June, Paris, France. GLOBAL FORUM ON AGRICULTURE. The 2009 Global Forum on Agriculture will examine the medium- and longer-term prospects for the sector and what policies are required to enhance future food security. The Forum will draw on recent analytical work, primarily from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The agricultural sector remains of primary importance for many non-OECD economies; therefore, the aim of the Global Forum on Agriculture is to foster an informed dialogue between OECD member and non-member economies on agricultural policies issues. This dialogue is based on regular monitoring and analysis to evaluate and strengthen the process of policy reform and trade liberalisation through forward-looking analysis, and addresses emerging agricultural policy issues. For more information, visit http://www.oecd.org/document/41/0,3343,en_2649_33797_42071145_1_1_1_37401,00.html.
WTO Events
An updated list of forthcoming WTO meetings is posted 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.
25 June: World Bank Institute Seminar on Services Trade
26 June: Working Party on Domestic Regulation
29 June: Council for Trade in Goods
29 June-3 July: Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation
Other upcoming events
10 July, Geneva, Switzerland. BOOK LAUNCH: IMPLEMENTING THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION’S DEVELOPMENT AGENDA. The latest in the Geneva Seminars for Development Research (GSDR) series, this seminar marks the global launch of Implementing the WIPO’s Development Agenda, a new book containing insights on reforming international intellectual property policies and institutions. It is edited by Jeremy de Beer with a foreword by Daniel J. Gervaisand an afterword by Christopher May. Publication of this book is the first stage in an ongoing project involving a multidisciplinary network of experts from developing and developed countries working to monitor, assess and advance implementation of development-oriented reforms at and beyond WIPO. The objective of the GSDR seminars is to provide an international platform for researchers, academics and practitioners, particularly from developing countries, to share and test the results of their research on the development dimension of issues that are the subject of discussion and/or standard-setting in key Geneva-based international organisations. To register, please send an email to alexander@iqsensato.org.
16-17 July, Paris, France. WORKSHOP ON TRADEMARKS AND TRADEMARK DATA. This workshop is co-organised by INNO-tec and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with the support of the Strike network. The goal of this workshop is to present and discuss current work and analyses conducted on trademarks from various perspectives, so as to better understand their functioning and their effect on firms and markets. Despite their importance in economic life, trademarks and trademark data have long been neglected in the economic literature on industrial organisation, contrasting with the larger attention paid to patents. For the last ten years, a growing number of researchers have taken an interest in this topic. It has been noted that trademarks could bring interesting information on firm and market dynamics, as they seem to be related to key-variables such as firm performance or innovative activity. For further information, please contact Ms Valentine Millot: valentine.millot@oecd.org.
16-22 August, Stockholm, Sweden. 2009 WORLD WATER WEEK. Organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), the 2009 edition of this annual event will focus on the theme: “Responding to Global Change: Accessing Water for the Common Good.” This event will bring together experts, practitioners, decision makers and leaders from around the globe to exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions. By harnessing and linking best practices, scientific understanding, policy insight and decision-making, the program aims to transcend rhetoric and provide real answers to the world’s water-related problems. This event features a comprehensive agenda of workshops, seminars and side events that undertake in-depth examinations of the most critical issues, complemented by prize ceremonies, field trips and events that provide an abundance of opportunities for the professional networking. For more information, visit http://www.worldwaterweek.org/.
Add a comment
Enter your details and a comment below, then click Submit Comment. We’ll review and publish the best comments.