<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><br><br><div><div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-US"><div><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif"> </span></b><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif">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 <span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">below</span>)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif">one person on the Private Sector Advisor Group is </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif">Thomas Cueni, Director General, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif"> best regards</span></b></p></div><div>DG Okonjo-Iweala sets up civil<span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"> </span>society and business advisory<span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"> </span>groups<span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">.</span></div><div><span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"></span><br>Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala today (21 June) announced the<br>establishment of two advisory groups, one comprising leaders from the<br>business community and the other bringing together prominent civil society<br>representatives. The establishment of these groups aims to strengthen the<br>Director-General’s engagement with businesses and civil society. They will<br>provide an informal platform for the exchange of views and discussions with<br>key stakeholders.<br>The primary purpose of the business and civil society advisory groups is to allow business and civil<br>society to share their perspectives and insights on relevant international trade issues with the<br>Director-General. She will chair both groups. It is expected that these groups will meet several times<br>a year. <br>DG Okonjo-Iweala has set up the groups in recognition of the importance of engaging with the<br>business community and civil society. She said: “During my engagements with these groups, I have<br>observed a strong desire to share perspectives on the impact of trade and trade rules on their<br>constituents. By establishing the advisory groups, I aim to facilitate such exchanges on a more<br>regular basis.” The formation of these groups builds on past practice and the WTO's experience with<br>bringing diverse stakeholder perspectives to the trade debate.<br>The composition of these advisory groups takes into account geographical and sectoral diversity, as<br>well as gender balance. The groups are composed as follows:</div><div><br></div><div>Civil Society Advisory Group<br> Jason Braganza, Executive-Director, Afrodad<br> Helena Leurent, Director-General, Consumers International<br> Gladys Martínez, Executive-Director, Interamerican Association for Environmental<br>Defense<br> Pradeep Mehta, Secretary-General, CUTS International<br> Kristen Schuijt, Director-General, WWF International<br> Gayle Smith, CEO, ONE Campaign<br> Shereen Talaat, Executive-Director, Arab Watch Coalition<br> Tania Te Wehnua, Board Member, Te Taumata<br> Shannon Weekes, National Coordinator, Caribbean Youth Environment Network<br> Akiko Gono, President, International Trade Union Confederation<br></div><div><br></div><div>Business Advisory Group<br> Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Founder and Chairman, Coronation Capital Limited<br> Thomas Cueni, Director General, International Federation of Pharmaceutical<br>Manufacturers & Associations<br> John Denton, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce<br> Prasoon Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO, BillionBricks<br> Josie Morris, Managing Director, WoolCool<br> Paul Polman, Business leader, campaigner, co-author of “Net Positive”<br> Tarek Sultan, Vice Chairman, Agility<br> José Viñals, Group Chairman, Standard Chartered<br> Diane Wang, Founder, Chairperson, CEO of DHgate Group<br> Rosa Whitaker, President and CEO, The Whitaker Group<br></div><div><br></div><div>The first meeting of the Civil Society Advisory Group was held today (21 June). The Business<br>Advisory Group<span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"> will meet on July 4.</span>
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