WTO NEWS: 2004 NEWS ITEMS

23 April 2004
APPELLATE BODY

Appellate Body Chairman notes with sadness the passing of Dr. Said El-Naggar

Georges Abi-Saab, Chairman of the Appellate Body, notes with great sadness the passing on 11 April of Said El-Naggar, who served on the Appellate Body from 1995 to 2000.

Dr. El-Naggar of Egypt was one of the original seven Members of the Appellate Body. He was appointed in December 1995 and served until 31 March 2000. During his term, he served on twelve Appellate Body Divisions, including European Communities — Regime for the Importation, Sale and Distribution of Bananas, and as arbitrator in two arbitrations under Article 21.3(c) of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes. He was serving as Chairman of the Panel in Korea — Measures Affecting Trade in Commercial Vessels when he died.

Born in 1920, Dr. El-Naggar was Professor Emeritus of Economics at Cairo University and combined his academic expertise with public service for more than 30 years. He joined the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 1965 as Deputy Director of the Research Division, a post he held for six years until he was appointed Director of the United Nations Economic and Social Office in Beirut, Lebanon. From 1976 to 1984, he served as Executive Director of the World Bank representing the Arab Countries, before returning to Cairo University as Professor Emeritus. He also was founder and President of the New Civic Forum, a non-government organisation dedicated to economic, political and social liberalization. Dr. El-Naggar was the author of several books and papers on international trade and finance, economic development and the Egyptian economy.