WTO DIRECTOR SETS UP ADVISORY BODIES
WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi has set up two informal advisory bodies, one with business groups and one with non-governmental organisations . The purpose of the bodies is to stimulate dialogue and information exchange on trade topics. The first meeting of the groups took place on 15 June, and in his opening remarks to a WTO public symposium on the following day, Supachai informed participants about the advisory groups and noted that, "by taking this personal initiative, I hope to add to further transparency and understanding on the complexities of the WTO". While about 10 groups became members of each advisory body, Oxfam International and Friends of the Earth declined their invitations, commenting that they had hoped to see a more inclusive advisory process. The bodies are set to meet twice every year.
ICTSD reporting; "Supachai: Doha talks key to reviving the world economy," WTO PRESS RELEASE, 16 June 2003; "WTO Chief Sets Up Advisory Bodies With Business, NGOs to Boost Dialogue," WTO REPORTER, 17 June 2003.