WTO meeting on seal products dispute opened to the public

10/01/2013 12:00 - 438 Views

At the request of the parties in the dispute “European Communities – Measures Prohibiting the Importation and Marketing of Seal Products” (DS400 and DS401), the panel has agreed to start its meeting with the parties scheduled for 18 to 20 February 2013 with a session open to public viewing at the WTO Headquarters in Geneva.

The public session is expected to start at 14.30 on 18 February and may continue in the afternoon of 19 February and on 20 February.

The panel will also open to public viewing a portion of its third-party session, which will be held on 19 February at 10.00.

Public viewing of both sessions will take place via a real time closed-circuit television broadcast.

Members of the public as well as accredited journalists and NGOs wishing to attend the viewing are invited to complete the application form and to send it by e-mail to the following address: openhearingDS400_401@wto.org.

As the number of places in the viewing room is limited, seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of the completed application form. The deadline for applications will be 17.30, Geneva time, on 25 January 2013. Applicants will be informed in advance of the meeting whether or not their application has been granted.

Applicants to whom seats have been allocated will need to provide to the Bureau Contrôle Identification upon arrival a valid official photo identification in exchange for a badge granting access to the viewing room. Registered participants are requested to arrive in good time as security checks may delay access to the viewing room.

Please note that any form of recording or filming is prohibited and that cell phones shall be switched off during the public viewing.

The WTO cannot offer any support, including financial, for accommodation, flight arrangements and visas.

7 January 2013

Source: wto.org