Launch of Singapore WTO Chair and hosting of WTO Policy Dialogue

Introduction

CIL, the NUS Faculty of Law and the World Trade Organization (WTO) jointly hosted a reception on 4 October 2011 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel to commemorate the launch of the Singapore Chair of the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP). The WCP aims to support and promote trade-related academic activities by national universities and research institutions.

Ambassador-At-Large Professor Tommy Koh was the Guest-of-Honour. Mr Patrick Low, Chief Economist of the WTO, launched the programme together with special guests from the public and people sectors, academia, the diplomatic corps, and the business community. Assoc Prof Michael Ewing-Chow, the newly appointed WTO Chair for Singapore also hosted a Panel of the Asian WTO Chairs on “The Future of the WTO”.

CIL also hosted a WTO High Level Dialogue on the Doha Development Agenda for senior government officials from the Asia-Pacific region from 5-7 October 2011 in Singapore. This was a closed-door event for invited participants.

In the News

“First WTO Singapore Chair established at NUS“
NUS Newshub, 5 October 2011
“NUS co-hosts inaugural WTO Policy Dialogue for senior government officials from Asian economies“
NUS Newshub, 5 October 2011
“Singapore asks WTO to explore new ways to overeome 10-year logjam in trade talks“
938L1VE, 5 October 2011
“S’pore pledges to continue efforts to forward Doha Round“
The Business Times (p24), 5 October 2011
“S’pore calls for new ways to break 1O-year logjam in trade talks“
Channelnewsasia.com, 5 October 2011
“Singapore wants WTO to explore other means of overcoming barriers to trade negotiations“
Berita Harian (p6), 6 October 2011
“Find new paths for stalled WTO talks: S’pore“
The Business Times (p20), 6 October 2011
“Singapore calls for move on Doha talks“
TODAY (p48), 6 October 2011
“Singapore joins WTO research programme“
The Straits Times (pB22), 6 October 2011

Speeches

Singapore WTO Chairs Programme Launch – 4 October 2011

Speech by Guest-of-Honour Prof Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, CIL Chairman
Opening remarks by Dr Patrick Low, Chief Economist, WTO
Opening remarks by Prof Tan Cheng Han, Dean, NUS Faculty of Law

Policy Dialogue on Doha Issues – 5-7 October 2011

Opening remarks by Simon Chesterman, Vice Dean and Professor of Law, NUS
Opening remarks by Dr Patrick Low, Chief Economist, WTO
Speech by Guest-of-Honour Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State

Presentations

“The Future of the WTO?” by Prof Michael Ewing-Chow, WTO Chair and Head of Trade/Investment Law and Policy, CIL
“WCP Report /SIFT” by Prof Lei Zhang, Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade
“WTO and Viet Nam” by Prof Vu Quoc Huy, Dean, Faculty of Development Economics, Viet Nam National University

Additional materials from the event, including photos, will be published as they become available. Please check back soon.