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A session in WTO PUBLIC FORUM: 19—21 SEPTEMBER 2011 discussed the intellectual property rights’ (IPR) provisions of free trade agreements (FTAs) and their impact on innovation. In general, it was agreed that a positive association existed, and that IPRs were also beneficial to trade. Strong IP rules would attract innovative businesses, which in turn, would enhance trade performances.

The rise of the global manufacturing model has important implications for the relationship between trade and development. A session of WTO PUBLIC FORUM: 19—21 SEPTEMBER 2011 provided insights from Europe in terms of trade performance and job creation, the experience of Sweden’s global value chains, and also looked at the case of Costa Rica.

Sustainability, energy and food security issues were at the heart of the discussion in WTO PUBLIC FORUM: 19—21 SEPTEMBER 2011. Also discussed were the Doha Round impasse and WTO reforms.

Social protection, investment in public goods and well-functioning markets are vital to make globalization socially sustainable, according to a co-publication by the International Labour Office and the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization launched on 20 September 2011.

New York: The risk of polio spreading from Pakistan is high, particularly given the expected mass travel for the upcoming Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the United Nations warned today, calling for full vigilance abroad and a scaling up of “inadequate” counter-efforts within the country.

New York: Almost three quarters of crops in Pakistan’s flood-devastated province of Sindh have been destroyed or damaged, and nearly 37 per cent of the livestock lost or sold to avoid loss, a joint assessment mission of the United Nations humanitarian office and Pakistani Government officials has reported.

New York: The number of international trademark and patent applications rebounded around the world last year after having fallen in 2009, according to intellectual property (IP) figures released by the United Nations today.

New Delhi: The Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has written a letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas assuring him of India's 'full support' for his country's bid for membership of the United Nations.

New York: Delegates at a United Nations high-level conference on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) today considered strategies to combat the preventable, mostly lifestyle- and diet-related illnesses that have become major killers across the world.

New York: Thirteen countries today signed a key protocol to a United Nations treaty promoting a more equitable sharing of the planet’s genetic resources and their benefits as the annual UN event aimed at encouraging States to sign, ratify or accede to various global pacts and accords kicked off.