Purpose: This interactive panel discussion with high-level representatives and experts is expected to review the main facets of commodity production, processing and trade, addressing the constraints and highlighting the opportunities in the context of efforts to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable growth, with special attention to the Millennium Development Goals.Themes will include supply-side issues, diversification, sanitary and phytosanitary standards and health concerns, and financing as they affect the growth of developing countries. Drawing lessons from successful experiences will be one of the major aims.

Expected outcome: The meeting will generate a high-level discussion on commodity problems so as to (1) gain new insights into commodity problems and opportunities, assess current policies and actions, and identify fresh approaches and possible solutions that might help in the operations of the CFC, UNCTAD and other stakeholders; and (2) increase non-specialists’ awareness of the importance of the commodity sector for many developing countries and possible approaches to making this sector an engine of growth and development.

Participants:

Rolf Boehnke, Managing Director,Common Fund for Commodities

Rubens Ricupero, Secretary General , UNCTAD

Poul Nielsen, Commissioner for Development, European Commission

Dilma Vana Rousseff, Minister of Mining and Energy, Brazil

Fatiou Akplogan, Ministre de l&apo;Industrie, du Commerce et de la Promotion de l&apo;Emploi (MICPE) Benin

Paula Lehtomaki, Minister for Trade and Development, Finland

Zukang Sha, Chairman of the Preparatory Committee of UNCTAD XI, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations, Geneva

Francisco Thompson-Flôres, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization

Gobind T. Nankani, Vice-President, Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network, World Bank

Terry Townsend, Executive Director, International Cotton Advisory Committee

Henry Lartey, Chief Executive Director Lartey Associates, Ghana

David L. J. King, Secretary General, International Federation of Agricultural Producers,

Martin Khor Kok Peng, Third World Network

Gonzalo Fanjul Suárez, Senior Policy Advisor Oxfam International

Quick links: | Common Fund for Commodities |