At the invitation of the Government of Turkey, the Fifth United Nations Conference to Review All Aspects of the Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices will be held from 14 to 18 November 2005 at the Gloria Golf Resort Hotel in Belek, Antalya (Turkey).
This ministerial meeting will be opened by the Prime Minister of Turkey and provide an opportunity for ministers and heads of competition authorities of member States of UNCTAD to discuss the role of competition law and policy in ensuring that anti-competitive practices do not impede or negate the realization of the benefits that should arise from liberalization in globalized markets (São Paulo Consensus (TD/410), para. 95). In this connection, the Conference will assess the experience gained so far in the implementation of the UN Set, in line with the Millenium Development Goals, and make recommendations for possible areas of improvement and effective implementation.
The provisional agenda, together with the secretariat´s annotations thereto, is being circulated as document TD/RBP/CONF.6/1. In line with the agreed conclusions adopted at its sixth session in November 2004 by the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy, which acted as the preparatory body for the Fifth Review Conference (TD/B/COM.2/CLP/48), the Conference will allow high-level discussions on the role of competition policy for development and provide an opportunity to enhance international cooperation in this area. It will also be the occasion to conduct voluntary peer reviews of competition law and policy of Jamaica and Kenya. In addition, the Conference will hold high-level discussions on the following issues:
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Techniques for gathering evidence on cartels;
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The role of economic analysis in competition law enforcement;
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The role of the judiciary in competition law enforcement;
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Application of competition law and policy to the informal sector; and
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How to operationalize special and differential treatment for developing countries in competition law and policy.
In accordance with past practice, the Conference is expected to provide guidance to UNCTAD on its future work programme in this area, including technical assistance and capacity building for developing countries and LDCs, as well as economies in transition.
States wishing to attend the Conference are requested to submit to the UNCTAD secretariat by 31 October 2005 the credentials of their representatives and advisers. The specialized and related agencies, as well as interested organs of the United Nations and intergovernmental and directly concerned non-governmental organizations in consultative status with UNCTAD that wish to participate in the Conference as observers, are requested to inform the UNCTAD secretariat by the same date of the names of their representatives.
To expedite the process of registration and issuance of security badges, copies of the letter of credentials of representatives and the registration form for each participant should be faxed to the UNCTAD secretariat at the address below as early as possible and before 31 October 2005.
It is important to note that only registration forms corresponding to letters of credentials will be processed. The original of the letter of credentials should be presented upon registration at the Conference in Antalya.
UNCTAD secretariat
Intergovernmental Affairs and Outreach Service
Accreditation and Registration
Office E-3061
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
F.: +41 22 917 00 56 or
E.: correspondence@unctad.org
All other enquiries should be addressed to:
Mr. Hassan Qaqaya (hassan.qaqaya@unctad.org) or
Mr. Pascal Garde (pascal.garde@unctad.org).
(signed)
Carlos Fortin
Officer-in-Charge of UNCTAD
20 July 2005