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: 4-10 December
1-4 December, Berlin, Germany: MEETING ON THE SUSTAINABLE USE AND CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: A CHALLENGE FOR SOCIETY. This meeting is organised by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. For more information contact the Ministry at tel: +49-228-81- 99-611; fax: +49-228-81-99-640; e-mail: meltem.cosar@dir.de; Internet: http://www.biodiversity-symposium.de.
1-5 December, Queensland, New Zealand: DEEP SEA 2003. Founding sponsors include the Ministry of Fisheries, New Zealand, Food And Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. This is an international conference where experts will discuss and debate the issues and future needs for science, conservation, and governance and management of the continental slope and deep seas. It will provide a forum for expert discussion on the objectives, constraints and influences on the conservation and management of the continental slope and deep-sea area. For further information, fax: (+64 3) 441-8127; email: deepsea@qdm.co.nz; Internet: http://www.deepsea.govt.nz/index.aspx.
1-12 December, Milan, Italy: NINTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (COP-9). The conference will continue deliberations from SB-18. For further information, contact: UNFCCC Secretariat, tel: (49 228) 815-1000, fax: 815-1999, email: secretariat@unfccc.int, Internet: http://www.unfccc.int/.
2-5 December 2003, Niamey, Niger: SUSTAINABLE DRYLAND AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS CONFERENCE. Partially supported by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the central theme of the conference is "Interactions between Estuaries, Coasts and Human Environment". The symposium will feature presentations and papers on agro-ecological production systems in areas where farmers strive to meet their family needs from small parcels of land in low rainfall regions. For more information contact: Arnie Schlissel, IPALAC; fax: +972-647-2984; e-mail: ipalac@bgumail.bgu.ac.il.
3-10 December 2003, Geneva, Switzerland: 24TH SESSION OF THE ECOSOC SUB- COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS. This meeting will discuss the transport of gases, explosives, and other dangerous goods. For more information, contact: UNECE Transport Division; tel: +41-22-917-2401; fax: +41-22-917-0039/89; e-mail: dominique.leger@unece.org; Internet: http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm.
5-6 December 2003, London, England: WORLDFAIR - CHRISTMAS WITH A CONSCIENCE IN LONDON. Stalls are run by ethical traders, charities and co-operatives, offering shoppers a chance to buy their Christmas presents while helping communities around the world. There will also be live music and dance performances. This event is organized by Oxfam, War on Want, and World Development Movement. For more information, contact: Alex Burrow; Tel: +43 20 7354 4231 / +43 7957 861 379; Email: alex@millipedia.co.uk; Internet: http://www.worldfair.org.uk.
8-9 December, Geneva, Switzerland: SUSTAINABILITY IN THE COFFEE SECTOR: EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, PART II: ASSESSMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION. Organised by UNCTAD and IISD. The meeting will focus on assessing concrete opportunities for multi- stakeholder collaboration towards the implementation of sustainability in the coffee sector at the multi-lateral level. The primary objective of this meeting is to adopt a preliminary strategy for pursuing further work on sustainability in the coffee sector at the global level. For more information, contact: Jason Potts, IISD, tel: (1 514) 814-1967; fax: 527-0612; Internet: http://www.iisd.org/trade/commodities/.
8-10 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WORLD FORUM ON INFORMATION SOCIETY. The focus of this conference, entitled Digital Divide, Global Development & Information Society, is on critical issues and considerations in the context of information technological revolution, global transformation, and marginalisation. Inter and intra regional disparities will be examined in terms of information infrastructure and dissemination, knowledge generation and management. For more information contact: World Forum Secretariat; tel: +763-689-2963; e- mail: wfis@irfd.org; Internet: http://www.irfd.org/events/wf2003/intro2.html.
8-12 December 2003, Montreal, Canada: AD HOC OPEN ENDED INTER SESSIONAL WORKING GROUP ON ARTICLE 8 (J) AND RELATED PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY. Organised by UNEP. Items on the agenda include a presentation of a composite report on the status and trends regarding the knowledge, and the innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities, relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. For further information contact: the secretariat, tel: +1- 514-288-2220; fax: +1-514- 288-6588; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/tk/wg8j-03/official/wg8j- 03-01-en.doc.
9 December 2003, Geneva, Switzerland: GLOBAL GOVERNANCE OF ICT: PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERATIONS. This workshop is presented by Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility on the occasion of the World Summit on the Information Society. It will bring together experts from civil society and other sectors to carefully consider both the current global policy architecture and realistic, balanced alternatives. For more information, see http://www.cpsr.org/conferences/WSIS/WSIS120903.html.
9-12 December, Havana, Cuba: INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY. Organised by the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment with the support of UNESCO, this meeting will consider policies and strategies that allow a better interface between science and technology and sustainable development. Other issues related to S&T and their interface with society to be discussed include: ethics and bioethics, interactive museums, science communication, science education, technology transfer, and innovation. For more information e-mail: lilliam@ceniai.inf.cu.
10-12 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WORLD SUMMIT ON INFORMATION SOCIETY (WSIS) FIRST PHASE. The focus of this conference, entitled Digital Divide, Global Development & Information Society, is on critical issues and considerations in the context of information technological revolution, global transformation, and marginalisation. Inter and intra regional disparities will be examined in terms of information infrastructure and dissemination, knowledge generation and management. The second phase will take place in Tunis, Tunisia in 2005. For more information visit http://www.itu.int/wsis/.
WTO Events
An updated list of forthcoming WTO meetings is posted at: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.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.
4 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY - CHILE.
4 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION.
4 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO COMMITTEE ON SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS.
4 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO WORKING PARTY ON THE ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LEBANON.
5 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN SERVICES.
8 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO SUB-COMMITTEE ON LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
10-12 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO TEXTILES MONITORING BODY.
10 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BODY.
10-11 December, Geneva, Switzerland: WTO WORKING PARTY ON THE ACCESSION OF VIET NAM.
Other Forthcoming Events
16-21 January 2004, Mumbai, India: WORLD SOCIAL FORUM. Organised by the India General Council (IGC), India Working Committee (IWC), India Organising Committee (IOC) and Mumbai Organising Committee (MOC). People’s movements across the world are working to demonstrate that the path to sustainable development and social and economic justice does not lie in neo-liberal globalisation but in alternative models for people-centred and self-reliant progress. WSF India offers a platform to discuss issues of concern to civil society aimed at building a society centred on the human person. For further information contact the WSF Secretariat, tel: +91-22-2421-6249; fax: +91-22-2421-6382; e- mail: wsfindia@vsnl.net; Internet: http://www.wsfindia.org/anotherworld.php.
15-16 January 2004, Geneva, Switzerland: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNECE REGION. The First Regional Implementation Forum On Sustainable Development is being 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; e-mail: subashini.narasimhan@unece.org; Internet: http://www.unece.org/env/wgso/Sustainable% 20Development/sd_forum.jan2004.htm.
1-3 March 2004, Geneva, Switzerland: THEMATIC WORKSHOP ON SYNERGIES FOR CAPACITY BUILDING UNDER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS ADDRESSING CHEMICALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT. Organised by UNITAR in collaboration with several other international organisations. UNITAR has initiated a series of thematic workshops aimed at building the capacity of countries in chemicals and waste management. For further information contact: UNITAR, tel: +41-22 917-1234; fax: 917-8047; e-mail: cwm@unitar.org; Internet: http://www.unitar.org.
2-5 March 2004, Concepción, Chile: GLOBAL BIOTECHNOLOGY FORUM. Organised by UNIDO and the Chilean Government. This event will bring together representatives from the scientific, public, private and social sectors as well as high-level decision makers to review opportunities and challenges in biotechnology for the developing world. For further information contact: tel: +56 41 204-649; fax: 214-288; e- mail: gbf2004@udec.cl; Internet: http://www.gbf2004.cl.
20-21 April 2004, Amsterdam, Netherlands: CARBON MARKET INSIGHTS 2004. The annual Point Carbon conference on the world’s carbon markets. The meeting aims to provide concise viewpoints on recent carbon market developments and likely future directions. In view of the fact that by 31 March 2004, all countries covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme will have to submit their National Allocation Plans, Carbon Market Insights 2004 provides an opportunity to be updated on the developments in the carbon markets and explore the consequences for industry and business. In-depth sessions on the status and prospects for the CDM will be provided on day two. For more information contact Marte Nordseth or Ian Roche, tel: +47-907-71-668/ +47-975-39-036; e-mail: conference@pointcarbon.com; Internet: http://www.pointcarbon.com/category.php?categoryID=192.