WTO: 2012 NEWS ITEMS

18 January 2012

DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

WTO panel meeting on renewable energy generation dispute opened to the public

At the request of the parties in the dispute “Canada — Certain Measures Affecting the Renewable Energy Generation Sector” (DS412), the Panel has agreed to start its first substantive meeting with the parties and third parties with a session open to public viewing at the WTO Headquarters in Geneva.
This public session is expected to start at 10.00 on Thursday 2 February 2012. The public viewing will take place through a real time closed-circuit television broadcast. The public session of the Panel meeting with the parties may continue at 15.00 on Friday 3 February 2012 if the Panel so decides.

The Panel will also meet in a session to hear the third parties on Friday 3 February 2012, at 10.00. The Panel will start this session by opening a portion of it to public viewing, where third parties wishing to make their oral statements in a public session will be invited to do so. Public viewing will take place through a real time closed-circuit television broadcast.

The number of places in the viewing room reserved for the public will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis upon receipt of the completed registration form. Completed forms should be sent by e-mail only to the following address: OpenMeetingDS412@wto.org. Applications will be accepted until 17.00, Geneva time, on 25 January 2012.

WTO accredited journalists and non-governmental organizations wanting to attend should indicate their interest by using the email address above. They do not need to complete the registration form.

The general public to whom seats have been allocated will need to present a valid official photo identification on-site to access the meeting room. Members of the public allocated a seat 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 mobile phones should be switched off during the public viewing.

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

ONLY THOSE WITH RESERVED SEATS WILL BE ADMITTED.