Archive for November, 2006

International Chamber of Commerce Elects New Vice-Chairman

November 30th, 2006 at 08:32am

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) elected Hong Kong businessman Victor Fung as its new Vice-Chairman for a two-year term, beginning on January 1, 2007. Mr. Fung is Chairman of the Li & Fung Group of companies and has held a number of civic and professional appointments related to international trade.

For further information: http://www.iccwbo.org/iccjhde/index.html

NATO Strengthens Committment in Afghanistan at Riga Summit

November 29th, 2006 at 08:38pm

At the Riga Summit on November 29, NATO Heads of State reinforced their commitment to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan. National restrictions on how, when and where forces can be used were lessened, and some member countries pledged additional assets. The Heads of State also called for broader international assistance for Afghanistan.

For more, see http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2006/11-november/e1128a.htm

ICC Opens Fifth Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute

November 29th, 2006 at 08:36pm

The fifth session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, the legislative body overseeing the administration of the ICC, opened on November 23 and will last until December 1. Since the Assembly’s fourth session in January 2006, four states (Chad, Comoros, Montenegro, and Saint Kitts and Nevis) have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute. The Assembly now has 104 states parties. Issues on the Assembly’s agenda for this session include the 2007 budget, a consideration of crimes of aggression, and the election of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims.

See http://www.icc-cpi.int/press/pressreleases/209.html

ICJ to Consider Uruguay’s Request for Measures Against Argentina

November 29th, 2006 at 04:54pm

ICJ will hold hearings, opening on December 18, to consider Uruguay’s request for the indication of provisional measures in the case of Uruguay v. Argentina. Uruguay requests that the Court order Argentina to “take all reasonable and appropriate steps at its disposal to prevent or end the interruption of transit between Uruguay and Argentina, including the blockading of bridges and roads between the two States.” Uruguay states that it will withdraw the request if Argentina ends its current blockade and makes efforts to prevent future blockades.

See http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/ipresscom/ipress2006/ipresscom_2006-40_au_20061129.htm

Kuala Lumpur Wins Bid to Host World Chambers Congress

November 29th, 2006 at 03:45pm

Kuala Lumpur will host the 6th World Chambers Congress in 2009. The World Chambers Congress is a biennial forum for countries to share best practices, develop networks, and learn about new areas of innovation. Istanbul will host the 2007 World Chambers Congress.

For further information: http://www.iccwbo.org/iccjiga/index.html

WTO Considers EC Enlargement

November 28th, 2006 at 06:01pm

The WTO Committee on Regional Trade Agreements will examine the European Community’s notification that it will include Bulgaria and Romania as part of the EC beginning January 1, 2007. Several countries have expressed concerns relating to compensation issues arising from the previous EC enlargement.
For further information: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news06_e/ctg_20nov06_e.htm

WTO Workshop on TRIPS Agreement

November 28th, 2006 at 05:45pm

From November 27 to 29, 2006, twenty-eight developing country officials are participating in a WTO workshop, held in Geneva, aimed at assisting countries in the use of pharmaceutical patents flexibilities contained in the TRIPS Agreement. The workshop, as part of the WTO technical cooperation and capacity building activities, seeks to provide the participants with the necessary information to ensure proper implementation of the TRIPS Agreement.

For further information: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news06_e/trips_wp_27nov06_e.htm

Joint Declaration on Animal Welfare in Europe

November 28th, 2006 at 05:41pm

The European Union, Council of Europe, and World Organisation for Animal Health have issued a joint declaration entitled “Animal Welfare in Europe: achievements and future prospects”. The declaration sets out guidelines for raising public awareness, professional training, and the development and implementation of animal welfare legislation throughout Europe.

More information is available here.

NATO’s Riga Summit

November 28th, 2006 at 01:22pm

On November 28-29, the Heads of State and Government of 26 NATO member countries will meet in Riga, the Latvian capital, to discuss NATO’s operations. Discussions regarding NATO’s role in Afghanistan, Darfur and Iraq are likely to figure prominently in the summit.

For more information, see http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2006/11-november/e1128a.htm

Anti-dumping Investigations Continue to Decline

November 27th, 2006 at 02:50pm

On November 27, 2006, the WTO Secretariat reported that in the first semester of 2006 the number of new anti-dumping investigations initiated has declined, while the number of new final measures increased relative to the corresponding period of 2005. According to available figures for the January-June 2006 period, 87 new investigations and 71 new final anti-dumping measures were reported, compared to the 105 new investigations and 55 final measures reported in the corresponding period of 2005.

For further information: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres06_e/pr458_e.htm

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