200 International Experts to meet at the Hemispheric Trade and Sustainability Symposium April 17-19 2001
WINNIPEG — The Hemispheric Trade and Sustainability Symposium will gather 200 experts from the Americas from April 17 to 19, 2001 in Quebec City. The Symposium is chaired by Pierre Marc Johnson, former Premier of the Province of Quebec and Counsel at Heenan Blaikie; David Runnalls, President and CEO of the International Institute for Sustainable Development; and Enrique Leff from the United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. It is organized jointly by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, IUCN, the World Conservation Union and the United Nations Environment Programme - Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Participants will discuss the issue of trade liberalization in the Americas and assess the current state of FTAA process as it relates to environmental and equity concerns. The issue of transparency and civil society participation will also be discussed by participants. Workshops will be held on issues such as climate change, biosafety, forests and water issues in the Americas.
The event will feature keynote presentations from Pierre Pettigrew, Canadian Minister of International Trade; David Anderson, Canadian Minister of Environment; Maria Minna, Canadian Minister for International Cooperation; and Victor Lichtinger, Mexican Minister of Environment.
Two special events will be held in the evening of April 17 and 18. On April 17, the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation will host a reception for the participants. On April 18, the Canadian National Roundtable on Environment and Economy will host another reception, with Nobel Prize Laureate and former Costa Rican President Dr. Oscar Arias as keynote speaker. Both events will be open to journalists who are registered in advance.
A press conference will be held on April 18 at 12:30 at Auditorium 1 of the Musée de la Civilisation (85 rue Dalhousie, Quebec City). The event will be chaired by Pierre Marc Johnson and attended by the two other Symposium Chairs. Simultaneous translation will be available.
Pierre Marc Johnson will be available for interviews starting March 22.
For information or registration, please consult the Symposium's web site http://www.iisd.org/trade/qc2001 or contact:
Karel Mayrand, Director and media Relations Coordinator
(514) 985-0343 or (514) 802-2781
Secondary contact:
Marie Claire Segger, Director
(514) 581-4984
About IISD
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies. Our work inspires better decisions and sparks meaningful action to help people and the planet thrive. We shine a light on what can be achieved when governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities come together. IISD’s staff of more than 250 experts come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.
You might also be interested in
COP 29 Outcome Moves Needle on Finance
In the last hours of negotiations, concerted pressure from the most vulnerable developing countries resulted in an improved outcome on the finance target, with a decision to set a goal of at least USD 300 billion per year by 2035 for developing countries to advance their climate action.
The Hidden Clauses That Can Hinder Tax and Investment Policy Reform
Stabilization clauses should no longer automatically be included in contracts between states and investors. If they are, they should, at a minimum, build on the latest international standards on stabilization to avoid being a barrier to sustainable development.
Coalition against fossil fuel subsidies expands but misses initial targets
The UK, Colombia, and New Zealand have signed on to a coalition of governments aiming to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, joining 13 other mainly European nations in the alliance. IISD's Vance Culbert said that half a dozen more countries—including "a few larger economy developing countries"—are talking privately to them about joining too.
Europe’s Dash for Gas in Africa puts Private Profits First
Europe’s demand for gas is contributing to expansion of LNG projects in Mozambique, Nigeria, and Senegal. This favours the interests of European oil and gas companies over those of African countries, a new report shows.