..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date 30 September 2005
Press Release No: N/49/2005

UN TO HOLD GOVERNMENT-BUSINESS DIALOGUE IN ADVANCE OF
HONG KONG WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE

Meeting represents window of opportunity for re-establishment of primacy of the multilateral system

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) – UNESCAP and the International Trade Centre (ITC) will jointly organize a high-level government-business dialogue for development in Macao, China from 4-6 October at the Macao Tower.

‘Delivering on the WTO Round: A High-level Government-Business Dialogue on Development,’ being held in advance of December’s Hong Kong WTO Ministerial Conference, will bring together the benefits of UNESCAP’s high level policy dialogue and ITC’s ‘Business for Development’ approach, and is funded by the Government of Macao SAR.

Participants of note at the Opening Ceremony include Mr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Chief Executive, Macao SAR Government, Mr. Kim Hak-Su, UNESCAP Executive Secretary, and Mr. Ramamurti Badrinath, Director of Trade Support Services, ITC.

According to Mr. Kim, the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference represents a window of opportunity for the primacy of the multilateral system to be re-established. He warned, however, that it may however be the last, in a row of windows that have been slammed shut.

“I urge all to keep aiming high and not to allow this Round to under-shoot. Too many depend on you to be able to bridge the differences and walk together on the path to prosperity,” he said.

More than 100 participants from over 20 countries are expected to attend. Participants will include Government officials from the Asia-Pacific region, business leaders, researchers, and trade policy analysts who hope to gain a greater common understanding on the key regional issues and their implications on business ahead of the Conference.

The Dialogue will precede the Second ARTNeT Consultative Meeting of Policy Makers and Research Institutions scheduled for 6-7 October in Macao.

The Bangkok-based United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) is the UN's regional arm in Asia and the Pacific. ITC is the joint technical cooperation agency of the United Nations (acting through UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) for business aspects of trade development.

For further information please contact:

Ms. Mia Mikic / Mr. Yann Duval
Trade Policy Section
Trade and Investment Division, UNESCAP
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1410 / 2252
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1027
E-mail: mikic@un.org / duvaly@un

For media inquiries please contact:

Ms. Margaret Hanley
Information Officer
UN Information Services
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861-66
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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