Public
FTAA.soc/com/20
February 5, 2003

Original: Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat

FTAA - COMMITTEE OF GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES ON THE PARTICIPATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY

Twentieth Meeting

Panama, 27 and 28 January 2003

PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ

1. The Twentieth Meeting of the Committee of Government Representatives on the Participation of Civil Society was held in Panama on 27 and 28 January 2003. The countries represented were: Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, United States, and Uruguay.
   
   
2. During the meeting, the representatives approved the attached agenda and discussed the items listed therein. 
   
   
3. The main topic discussed by delegations was the manner in which to increase the participation of civil society in the FTAA negotiations process. The Committee followed up, in particular, on the organization of regional seminars and civil society forums to be held parallel to TNC and Ministerial meetings. Furthermore, the Committee received a report from the Tripartite Committee on improvements to the FTAA Official Website.
   
   
4. The Committee decided to include a new section and an annex to the Report from the Committee to the Ministers entitled “Illustrative Examples of National Consultations with Civil Society”, which would be a summary report of national consultations between governments and civil society on the FTAA process.
   
   
5. The Committee will meet in Puebla, Mexico, on 24 and 25 April 2003.

FTAA - COMMITTEE OF GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES ON THE PARTICIPATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY

Twentieth Meeting

Panama, 27 - 28 January 2003

AGENDA
 

1. Follow up on the “Illustrative list of options to foster a process of increasing and sustained communication with civil society.”
   
   
2. Consideration of the range of viewpoints received from the contributions from civil society.
   
   
3. Presentation of the Chair’s report to TNC-Puebla.
   
   
4. Other Business