Several experts will discuss issues concerning the conflicts between climate change and international trade in a Public Forum titled "Climate Change and the WTO: Environment and Trade in Conflict" to be held at the United Nations University from 18.00 to 20.00 hours on Thursday, 17 September 1998, in the UNU Conference Hall on the 5th floor.

Dr. Gary Sampson of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will discuss issues related to international trade, and a representative of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will examine questions connected with climate change and the environment. Other participants include representatives of the Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD), the Third World Network and the University of Nottingham. Also, representatives from the Environment Agency of Japan as well as the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Industry of Japan are expected to share their views.

The Public Forum is part of the Joint UNU/GEIC/IAS project on "Future Scenarios for Global Climate Governance," which intends to develop a set of policy scenarios on key issues such as the global emissions trading system, approaches to joint implementation, clean development mechanism, and the relationship between climate change and international trade and investment, biodiversity and UN treaties and other agreements. These scenarios will serve as an input to COP4 in Buenos Aires this November.

Simultaneous interpretation in English and Japanese will be provided.

Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the Forum. The panel discussion will be followed by a question and answer session and a reception.

*     *     *     More details on the project are available on the GEIC homepage at http://www.geic.or.jp/. Additional information is also available from:

Global Environment Information Centre

Tel.: (03) 3407-8107     Fax: (03) 3407-8164

UNU Public Affairs Section

Tel.: (03) 5467-1243, -1246     Fax: (03) 3406-7346

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