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<title>WTO OPENS ITS DOORS TO DISCUSSION </title>
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<p><font size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font size="+1"><strong>July 6, 2001 <em>(2:15 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 99</strong></font><font size="+1"></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>WTO OPENS ITS DOORS TO DISCUSSION </strong></font></p>
<p>International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew welcomed the positive step that the WTO is taking
to provide citizens with an opportunity to contribute to the international debate on trade. The
WTO's Symposium on Issues Confronting the World Trading System is being held in Geneva,
Switzerland on July 6 and 7.</p>
<p>"As we prepare for the WTO ministerial meeting this November in Qatar, I am pleased that
interested parties will have another opportunity to express their views on how this international
trade institution can benefit all segments of society," said Mr. Pettigrew. "Providing this
opportunity is a positive step in ensuring that citizens become more engaged in the WTO."</p>
<p>Representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the media and
members of the academic and business communities will be participating in plenary sessions and
discussions on international trade. Special sessions during the two-day symposium will focus on
trade in agriculture, food safety, intellectual property rights, development and environment
issues, trade in services, and the relationship between the WTO and citizen groups.</p>
<p>Minister Pettigrew noted that this symposium is one of a number of recommendations that
Canada made to the WTO last October to help it become more transparent and open to the public.
Two Canadians, Dr. Sylvia Ostry from the University of Toronto and David Runnalls, President
of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, will chair panel discussions. Ten
Canadian NGOs representing a variety of sectors will attend the Symposium, which is sponsored
in part by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.</p>
<p>More information on the Symposium can be found at the following Web site:
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071206222018/http://www.wto.org/english/forums_e/ngo_e/ngo_symp_2001_e.htm">http://www.wto.org/english/forums_e/ngo_e/ngo_symp_2001_e.htm</a>. A report on the Symposium
will also be available on the Department's Web site in the near future at: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071206222018/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/what-e.asp">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/what-e.asp</a></p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>A list of participating Canadian NGOs is attached.</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Sébastien Théberge</p>
<p>Office of the Minister for International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 992-7332</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADIAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ATTENDING
THE SYMPOSIUM</strong></font></p>
<p>The following Canadian NGOs and individuals are registered to take part in the event: </p>
<p>Canadian Wheat Board (Winnipeg, Manitoba)</p>
<p>Dairy Farmers of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario)</p>
<p>World Wildlife Fund Canada (Toronto, Ontario)</p>
<p>International Development Research Centre (Ottawa, Ontario)</p>
<p>International Institute for Sustainable Development (Winnipeg, Manitoba)</p>
<p>Canadian Council for International Co-operation (Ottawa, Ontario)</p>
<p>North-South Institute (Ottawa, Ontario)</p>
<p>World Federalists of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario)</p>
<p>Individuals affiliated with the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, British Columbia) and
the University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta) will also attend.</p>
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