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Following informal consultations led by H.E. Ambassador Burhan Gafoor of Singapore, the Trade and Development Board reached agreement on the recommendations presented in the Report of the Panel of Eminent Persons.

UNCTAD should be a "think tank on development issues firmly anchored in research, consensus building and technical cooperation", says a report out today. The report contains 21 proposals on how to enhance the organization´s development role and impact.

The third meeting of the Panel of Eminent Persons on "Enhancing the Development Role and Impact of UNCTAD" took place in Helsinki, from 7-8 June 2006. The meeting was hosted by the Finnish President, H.E. Mrs. Tarja Halonen.

The second meeting of the Panel of Eminent Persons looked at how UNCTAD can fulfil its development mission and mandates.

Meeting for the first time, the Panel of Eminent Persons examined ways of enhancing UNCTAD´s development role and impact. The panel also met informally with Geneva-based ambassadors to exchange views and ideas.

Mr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Chair of the Panel of Eminent Persons set up to enhance the role and impact of UNCTAD, met with the Secretary-General of UNCTAD to discuss the panel´s future work plan.