The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy is scheduled to be held from 2 to 4 July 2003. The session will open at the Palais de Nations, Geneva, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 2 July 2003.

The provisional agenda, together with the secretariat´s annotations thereto, is being circulated as document TD/B/COM.2/CLP/35 and will also be available on UNCTAD Website.

In line with the agreed conclusions adopted at the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy, held from 3 to 5 July 2002 (TD/B/COM.2/42 - TD/B/COM.2/CLP/32), the consultations at the forthcoming session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts will focus on the following topics:

(a) The interface between competition policy and industrial policy;

(b) The optimal design and implementation of competition law in developing countries, including the desirability of a phased approach.

States members of UNCTAD wishing to propose additional topics for consultations are requested to inform the secretariat as soon as possible to enable all participants to prepare themselves for such consultations.

States members of UNCTAD wising to nominate experts to the session are requested to do so by 13 June 2003. Specialized agencies and intergovernmental bodies, should they wish to participate in the session, are requested to inform the UNCTAD secretariat by 13 June 2003 of the names of their representatives. Non-governmental organizations in the General Category and those in the Special 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.

Upon arrival, participants are requested, before entering the Palais des Nations, to collect their badge at the UN Security Service, Villa Les Feuillantines, 13 Avenue de la Paix (close to the main entrance to the Palais on the Place des Nations, on the opposite side of the road). The Security Service is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (non-stop). Due to the existing security measures in force, participants are strongly advised to arrive by 8.30 a.m. in order to complete procedures and reach the session in good time. Walking from Villa Les Feuillantines to the E-Building of the Palais (Bâtiment E) takes about 10 minutes. Participants are advised to carry a passport or national identity card with them.

All communications concerning representation at the session should be sent to the UNCTAD secretariat, Intergovernmental Support Service, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10 (fax: +41(0)22 917 0056; email: correspondence@unctad.org), with copy to the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch (fax: +41(0)22 917 0247, e-mail: competition@unctad.org).

(signed)
Rubens Ricupero
Secretary-General of UNCTAD

30 May 2003