Past WTO
Ministerials
>
Seattle,
1999
> Geneva,
1998
> Singapore,
1996
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Let
me recall that our host, the Government of Qatar, has undertaken to
make available 4,400 rooms for this Conference. Members have accepted
this offer and in all meetings I have had with Qatari officials they
have reassured me concerning this commitment. I am, of course, always
hopeful some additional flexibility might be forthcoming. But all of
us have a duty to defend our host because their offer was made on the
basis of a certain number of rooms and they are honouring their
promise. That is that.
In
light of the number of rooms members have agreed for the conference,
there is a need to exercise the greatest possible restraint in
deciding the size of your delegations. The Secretariat will do the
same. I therefore appeal to members to show restraint. Let me add that
members have agreed on attendance at the conference by other key
categories such as media and Non-Governmental Organizations. Their
attendance must also be managed within the agreed number of
rooms.
Official
Delegations
The
deadline for members to return their registration forms and give
information concerning delegations is 31 July. This deadline
was decided upon to give our host sufficient time to do the
appropriate processing. The registration forms were contained in the
box files sent to delegations some considerable time ago. It is
essential that the requested information be provided in timely
fashion. In the event that members are not able to provide the full
information by the requested deadline, it is crucially important that
by the end of the month you give us, at the least, some indication of
the size of your delegation. Could you also supply us with the name of
your designated Delegation Coordinator. Please send this information
to the office of Mr. Jacques Chabert, Head of the Secretariat's
Logistical Task Force.
I
do not think we can rule out the possibility that discussions will
have to take place among members to decide on more radical means to
achieve the right balance.
Non-Governmental
Organizations
At
its meeting on 8 May, the General Council agreed specific procedures
for registration and attendance of NGOs at the Doha Conference.
Following this meeting, the procedures were immediately circulated for
the information of members in document WT/MIN(01)/INF/3. They were
placed on the WTO website to inform interested NGOs of how to register
for the conference. We also disseminated the information in our
regular NGO Bulletin and through other activities. I am aware too that
many member governments circulated the information to NGOs in their
respective countries. Some of the larger NGOs were also proactive in
this regard.
Concerning
the agreed deadlines, the 2 July deadline for NGOs to submit their
registration requests has now passed and no further applications will
be processed. The requests received before the deadline are now being
reviewed and in order that the Secretariat, the host country and NGOs
have sufficient time to prepare for the conference, the Secretariat is
required to prepare a list of organizations eligible for registration
(under the agreed criteria) and circulate this list to WTO members for
their information. Immediately thereafter, NGOs will be informed about
further arrangements concerning their attendance and registration
forms will be sent. NGOs must complete and return the forms by 17
September. Confirmation of registration will be sent to the NGOs as
from 1 October.
In
deciding on the procedures regarding registration and attendance by
NGOs at Doha, the General Council noted that depending on the number
of NGOs wanting to attend, it could not be excluded that certain
limits may have to be imposed. It is already evident that the number
of NGOs wanting to attend is considerable and we will need to insist
on some limits. At the same time, however, we are still awaiting clear
information from members as to their accommodation requirements.
In
light of these factors, and with the agreement of members, it is my
intention to proceed as follows. The list of NGOs eligible for
registration will be circulated for the information of members on
Friday 3 August. NGOs will then be advised on Friday 10 August giving
them just over a month to complete and return the relevant
registration forms. I realise this procedure includes work in the
August break, but it is important that NGOs are given adequate time to
prepare.
Media
Media
interest in the conference will be considerable. It is important,
therefore, that adequate provision is made for their attendance. The
deadline for media registration is 24 September but already
indications are that requests will exceed even the number of NGOs
wanting to attend. As we proceed with logistical preparations, I will
be working to ensure that suitable provision is made for media
attendance.
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