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FTAA.soc/com/22
August 26, 2003

Original:  English

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

Twenty-Second Meeting

São Paulo, 26 – 27 June 2003

PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ

1. The Twenty-Second Meeting of the Committee of Government Representatives on the Participation of Civil Society was held in Sao Pualo on the 26 and 27 June 2003. Representatives from the following fourteen (14) countries attended: Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United States, and Venezuela.
    
2. The Committee met on Wednesday, 25 June 2003, to conduct the first thematic issue meeting with participants from Civil Society. The Committee held a full day roundtable with members of civil society on the topic of agriculture. The host, the Government of Brazil, welcomed the Committee and offered a brief panorama of the current state of agricultural negotiations in the FTAA. Various representatives from different sectors of civil society presented there views and observations on the subject. Many also made references to the process of consultations within the FTAA and offered suggests in this regard. The Committee welcomed the active participation of the representatives and looked to further develop these meetings.
    
3. During the meeting, the representatives approved the attached agenda and discussed the items listed therein.
    
4. The main topic discussed by delegations remained the manner in which to increase the participation of civil society in the FTAA negotiating process. The Committee followed up on the mandates handed down by the TNC in Puebla, paying particular attention to those coming under the heading of “Transparency and Civil Society Participation.”
    
5. The Committee also held discussions on the other mandates agreed upon in Puebla, such as: the improvement of public statements and press communiqués; and the study on best practices for outreach and consultation with civil society.
    
6. With regard to the Puebla mandate to organize civil society meetings running parallel to those of the SOC, the Committee agreed to hold its second thematic meeting with civil society, on the topic of services, in the city of Santiago, Chile, at the invitation of the Government of Chile. This event will take place on 23 September 2003. More information will be made available through the official contacts and via the official FTAA website (www.ftaa-alca.org).
    
7. The Committee will meet next in Santiago, Chile on 23 to 25 September 2003.

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

Twenty-Second Meeting

São Paulo, 26–27 June 2003

AGENDA

1. Discussion on the thematic meeting on agriculture, report on the preparation of the thematic meeting on services and the programming of future thematic meetings
    
2. Drafting of the Fourth Report of the Committee
    
3. Follow up on the TNC-Puebla Guidance and Instructions
    
4. Presentation of the Chair’s Report to TNC-El Salvador
    
5. Report on the preparation of the Americas Business Forum and the Civil Society Forum, to be held in parallel with the Miami Ministerial
    
6. Other business