WTO: 2006 PRESS RELEASES

Press/450
18 September 2006
WTO PUBLIC FORUM 2006

The European Commission and Norway to donate to WTO Public Forum 2006

The European Commission and Norway donated EUR 100,000 (around CHF 150,000) and NOK 1 million (around CHF 200,000) respectively to co-finance the 2006 WTO Public Forum, taking place in Geneva at the WTO headquarters on 25 and 26 September 2006.

With this last donation, Norway 's contribution to WTO's outreach activities amounted to NOK 4,950,000 (equivalent to CHF 1 million) since 2003.

“I am grateful to the European Commission and Norway for the contribution made to the WTO Public Forum. Civil society, academia, parliaments, business and the media will participate and together with WTO members will reflect on the expected role and functions of the WTO in the 21st Century,” said Director-General Pascal Lamy.

The Annual Public Forum has become the WTO's most significant outreach event, providing a platform for discussion and dialogue among stakeholders in the multilateral trading system. The WTO will be opening its doors to the public for the sixth time with a look at the shape of trade-related multilateralism and the role of the WTO in this Century.