Press/303
22 July 2002
WTO receives peace award from Japanese foundation

Director-General Mr. Mike Moore today accepted on behalf of the World Trade Organization a special award given by the Goi Peace Foundation to mark the organization's contribution to world peace.

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The Peace Pole, a hand crafted monument, was given to the WTO for “its leadership and achievements for the improvement of welfare of the peoples living in the WTO member states and for ensuring and improving the multilateral trading system”.

At an awards ceremony held in the WTO’s inner courtyard, Mr. Moore received the Peace Pole from Mr. Hiroo Saionji, President of the Goi Peace Foundation.

The Peace Pole award was recently given to the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank.

The Goi Peace Foundation is an international organization founded in Japan and working with UNESCO. Peace Poles are handcrafted monuments which serve as symbols of peace and friendship among peoples. To date, more than 200,000 Peace Poles, planted in 180 countries, can be found in national parliaments, governmental offices, international organizations and other public places.