The primary purpose of the business and civil society advisory groups is to allow business and civil society to share their perspectives and insights on relevant international trade issues with the Director-General. She will chair both groups. It is expected that these groups will meet several times a year.  

DG Okonjo-Iweala has set up the groups in recognition of the importance of engaging with the business community and civil society. She said: “During my engagements with these  groups, I have observed a strong desire to share perspectives on the impact of trade and trade rules on their constituents. By establishing the advisory groups, I aim to facilitate such exchanges on a more regular basis.” The formation of these groups builds on past practice and the WTO's experience with bringing diverse stakeholder perspectives to the trade debate.

The composition of these advisory groups takes into account geographical and sectoral diversity, as well as gender balance. The groups are composed as follows:

Civil Society Advisory Group

• Jason Braganza, Executive-Director, Afrodad
• Helena Leurent, Director-General, Consumers International
• Gladys Martínez, Executive-Director, Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense
• Pradeep Mehta, Secretary-General, CUTS International
• Kristen Schuijt, Director-General, WWF International
• Gayle Smith, CEO, ONE Campaign
• Shereen Talaat, Executive-Director, Arab Watch Coalition
• Tania Te Wehnua, Board Member, Te Taumata
• Shannon Weekes, National Coordinator, Caribbean Youth Environment Network
• Akiko Gono, President, International Trade Union Confederation

Business Advisory Group

• Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman Coronation Group Limited
• Thomas Cueni, Director General, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations
• John Denton, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce
• Prasoon Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO, BillionBricks
• Josie Morris, Managing Director, WoolCool
• Paul Polman, Business leader, campaigner, co-author of “Net Positive”
• Tarek Sultan, Vice Chairman, Agility
• José Viñals, Group Chairman, Standard Chartered
• Diane Wang, Founder, Chairperson, CEO of DHgate Group
• Rosa Whitaker, President and CEO, The Whitaker Group

The first meeting of the Civil Society Advisory Group was held today (21 June). The Business Advisory Group will meet on 4 July.