PHM-Exch> Important new developments at WTO

[Claudio Schuftan]

*the WTO DG decided to create two non-state actor groups or officially
called advisory groups,  one of CSO and the other one Private sector (see
below)*

*one person on the Private Sector Advisor Group is **Thomas Cueni, Director
General, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers &
Associations*

* best regards*
DG Okonjo-Iweala sets up civil society and business advisory groups.

Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala today (21 June) announced the
establishment of two advisory groups, one comprising leaders from the
business community and the other bringing together prominent civil society
representatives. The establishment of these groups aims to strengthen the
Director-General’s engagement with businesses and civil society. They will
provide an informal platform for the exchange of views and discussions with
key stakeholders.
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, Founder and Chairman, Coronation Capital 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 July 4.
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