Past WTO
Ministerials
>
Seattle,
1999
> Geneva,
1998
> Singapore,
1996
|
Concerning Non-Governmental Organizations, the Director-General has
announced that of the 673 organizations that applied by the deadline,
647 NGOs are eligible to attend the conference. These include NGOs
from all parts of the globe and with interests spanning the full range
of WTO activities. NGOs have until 17 September to complete and return
their registration forms to the WTO Secretariat.
The
Director-General is continuing to meet, exchange views and share ideas
regularly with NGOs. He addressed a WTO Symposium in Geneva in July
which gathered together more than 400 civil society representatives to
discuss issues confronting the world trade system. He has invited
comments and advice from NGOs on ways to enhance the dialogue between
international agencies such as the WTO and NGOs. In light of the
growing interest of NGOs in the work of the WTO, the Director-General
has also encouraged input from NGOs on possible activities at Doha and
criteria for ensuring that NGO registration to future Ministerial
Conferences is based on an appropriate balance between numbers of
organizations and representatives. At an informal gathering on Friday
24 August, the Director-General was able to explore these and
other issues with several NGO representatives in Geneva over the
summer break. The Director-General briefed the representatives
concerning facilities at Doha and also appreciated the frank but
constructive exchange of views that followed. Several representatives
made clear the opinions expressed were representative of their
organization only and did not necessarily reflect a general civil
society position. The Director-General said there was no
misunderstanding on this.
The
Director-General will continue to exchange ideas with NGOs in the lead
up to Doha and beyond. He is also committed to offer whatever
practical WTO assistance possible to support activities by NGOs
attending Doha.
|
|
