Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest • Volume 11 • Number 15 • 2nd May 2007
Events
EVENTS
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.
Upcoming : 3-9 May
4 May, New York, US. HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS AND ALTERNATIVES IN THE ENERGY AND TRANSPORT SECTORS: POLICY ISSUES FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. Recent advances in the application of hydrogen fuel cells in transportation and energy sectors have attracted attention and increased funding for research and development of this promising solution to oil dependency in transportation. Developing countries have previously been unprepared to deal with and apply new technologies, leading to ‘knowledge gaps’. As a side event to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in New York organized by UN University, this session aims to contribute to building capacity on hydrogen and fuel cells and to the development of roadmaps for a portfolio of choices for the use of sustainable energy sources within the energy and transport sector in developing countries. internet: http://www.merit.unu.edu/hfc/docs/200705_CSD.pdf
7-10 May, Milan, Italy. EUROPEAN WIND ENERGY CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION. This event will connect important players from the wind and electricity sectors in order to facilitate new and profitable business relationships and identify the actions required to re-shape the European energy mix and the role it plays. Organized by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), the conference will analyse and debate topics like creating stable political frameworks, upgrading the existing power infrastructure to incorporate wind energy, taking steps to continue cost reductions, increasing offshore wind production and intensifying research, innovation, and technological progress in the wind sector. Internet: http://www.ewec2007.info/
WTO
An updated list of forthcoming WTO meetings is posted at: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/events_e/events_e.htm. 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.
3-4 May: COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ENVRIONMENT-SPECIAL SESSION
3 May: WORKING PARTY ON THE ACCESSION OF LEBANON
3 May: COMMITTEE ON BALANCE-OF-PAYMENTS RESTRICTIONS
7-11 May: NAMA WEEK
7-8 May: GENEVA WEEK (FOR NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS)
7, 9 May: TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY- COSTA RICA
8 May: COMMITTEE ON CUSTOMS VALUATION
9-10 May: GENERAL COUNCIL
Other Upcoming
12 May, International. WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY. Fair trade and the campaign for justice in trade will be celebrated internationally today through seminars, concerts, fashion shows, and more organized by members of IFAT, the global network of fair trade organizations. The theme of this year’s events is ‘Kids Need Fair Trade.’ internet: http://www.wftday.org/english/index.htm
14-15 May, Paris, France. INNOVATION, GROWTH, AND EQUITY. This multi-stakeholder summit will bring together business, labour, civil society, and government leaders to discuss the hottest issues on the international agenda in conjunction with the annual Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Summit. Areas to be explored include trade policy, economy, energy, and innovation. A special spotlight will be given to Spain at the summit as the chair of this year’s OECD ministerial summit. internet: http://www.oecd.org/site/0,2865,en_21571361_37578380_1_1_1_1_1,00.html