The eighth session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy is scheduled to be held from Tuesday, 17 July, to Thursday, 19 July 2007. The session will open in Room XII on the 3rd floor of the Palais de Nations, Geneva, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 17 July.
Background documents and agenda
The provisional agenda, together with the Secretariat´s annotations thereto, is being circulated as document TD/B/COM.2/CLP/58.
In line with the resolution adopted at the seventh session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy, held from 31 October to 2 November 2006 (TD/B/COM.2/CLP/57), the consultations at the eighth session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts will focus on the following topics:
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Competition at national and international levels: energy
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Competition policy and the exercise of intellectual property rights
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Criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of competition authorities
The session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts will also be the occasion to conduct a voluntary peer review of the West African Monetary Union (UEMOA) Common Competition Rules, with a focus on Benin and Senegal. The Intergovernmental Group of Experts will also give guidance to the secretariat on its technical assistance and capacity-building activities for 2007/2008.
Written contributions
In order to facilitate the deliberations and the informal exchange of experiences and best practices on the topics to be discussed, member States and observers are requested to submit written contributions to the UNCTAD secretariat as soon as possible in order to enable all participants to read them in advance of the meeting and prepare themselves for the consultations.
States members of UNCTAD wishing to propose additional topics for consultations are requested to inform the UNCTAD secretariat as soon as possible in order to enable all participants to prepare themselves for such consultations.
Participation
States members of UNCTAD wishing to nominate experts to the session are requested to do so by 4 June 2007.
Specialized agencies and intergovernmental bodies, should they wish to participate in the session, are requested to inform the UNCTAD secretariat by 4 June 2007 of the names of their representatives.
Non-governmental organizations in the General Category having an interest in the work of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts which wish to participate as observers are requested to inform the UNCTAD secretariat by the same date of the names of their representatives.
Logistics
The meeting will take place at the United Nations Office at Geneva, Palais des Nations. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in the six official languages of the United Nations.
Upon arrival, participants are requested, before entering the Palais des Nations, to collect their badges at the UN Security Service, Pregny Gate entrance, 14 Avenue de la Paix. The Security Service is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (non-stop). Because of the security measures in force, participants are strongly advised to arrive before 9 a.m. in order to complete entry procedures in good time and proceed to the Meeting in the E-Building (Bâtiment E) of the Palais.
Participants are requested to carry a passport or similar national identity card with them. Taxis are not allowed to enter the grounds of the Palais des Nations, and visitors will therefore be dropped off at the requested entrance gates. Furthermore, luggage may not be brought into the buildings unless the Security Service gives special clearance.
Further information and contact details
Communications concerning representation should be sent to the UNCTAD secretariat, Intergovernmental Affairs and Outreach Service, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10; fax: + 41(0)22 917 0214; e-mail: correspondence@unctad.org.
Substantive and other inquiries should be addressed to the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch; fax: + 41(0) 22 917 0247; e-mail: competition@unctad.org.
(signed)
Supachai Panitchpakdi
Secretary-General of UNCTAD
22 March 2007