DTI UK Presidency Events July – December 2005

There will be a number of high-level meetings and events held in the UK, in Brussels and in Luxembourg during the six-month Presidency period, which will focus on discussing important EU dossiers linked to the UK Presidency themes.

Informal Competitiveness Council, 11 - 12 July 2005

The UK held an informal Competitiveness Council on 11-12 July 2005 in Cardiff - this allowed Ministers to meet informally early in the Presidency to engage in discussions in preparation for the formal Competitiveness Councils on 11th October and 28-29 November 2005. The discussion focused on Better Regulation, the Internal Market and Promoting Research and Innovation in the EU.

Download the summary of discussions (109 kb)
Download a photo of the Ministers who attended (488 kb)
Ministers who attended the Informal Competitiveness Council in Cardiff (47 kb)

Speeches & Presentations

David Corr, Chief Technology Officer NTERA Ltd: (3.5 mb).
Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser to HM Government (312 kb).
Alain Perroy, Director General of Cefic: (792 kb).
Jacek Piechota, Polish Minister for Economic Affairs and Labour   (154 kb).
Lars-Goeran Rosengren, Volvo Technology (1.1 mb).
Dr. Horst Soboll, UNICE (143 kb).
Prof. Dr. Pieter J. D. Drenth, President All European Academies (34 kb).
Charlie McCreevy, EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services: (69 kb).
Janez Potocnik, EU Commissioner for Science and Research (170 kb).

Details: Monday 11 – Tuesday 12 July 2005, Cardiff City Hall.
Contact: Susan Hawker, EU Presidency Unit: 0207 215 3849 or email Susan.Hawker@dti.gsi.gov.uk

State Aid Conference, 14 July 2005

The UK Government hosted a one-day event on State aid and the Lisbon Agenda. The event, held at the Café Royal in London, looked at the Commission’s proposals on State aid reform, distortion of competition and ensuring effectiveness of State aid granted by Member States.

 Summary of the event (27 kb).

Details: Thursday 14^th July 2005.  Café Royal, Piccadilly.
Contact: Toks Akinseye: 0207 215 2220 or email Toks.Akinseye@dti.gsi.gov.uk

i2010 Conference, 5 - 6 September 2005

The UK Government hosted the i2010 conference as its flagship ICT Presidency event. Discussions covered the three vertical streams of i2010 (information space, innovation and investment and inclusion), and the results will feed directly into the development of policy on i2010.

For more information regarding the event, please see www.dti.gov.uk/i2010.

Summary of the event (25 kb).
Photograph of i2010 Debate Participants (52 kb).

Details: Monday 5th - Tuesday 6th September 2005.
Contact: Trieca Huggins 0207 215 1653 or email: Trieca.Huggins@dti.gsi.gov.uk.

EuroNanoForum 2005, 5th - 9th September 2005

Building on the success of EuroNanoForum 2003, this conference brought together international speakers and delegates to discuss the nanotechnology developments for healthcare that are relevant to a broad range of industries. EuroNanoForum 2005 provided a platform to discuss the social and ethical implications of nanomedicine for both the developed and developing world, as well as highlighting the business opportunities in this area of European Excellence.

More information can be found on the event website.

Details: 5th-9th September 2005 - Edinburgh, Scotland
Contact: Carrie Smith, +44 (0)1786 447520 or e-mail: carrie@nano.org.uk

European Charter and Code of Researchers Event, 8 - 9 September 2005

The European Commission has launched its new European Charter for Researchers and a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. These two documents are key elements in the EU’s policy to make research an attractive career and provide a framework of general principles and requirements for the roles, requirements and entitlements of both researchers and their funders/employers. The conference aimed to enable participants to find out more about both the Code and the Charter and to share good practice on implementation through national case studies.

Further information on this event can be found on the UK GRAD Programme Website.

Summary of the event (47 kb).

Details: to be held on 8-9^th September at the Victoria Park Plaza, London.
Contact: Joanne Watts tel: 0207 215 6706 or email Joanne.Watts@dti.gsi.gov.uk

High Performance Workplaces Conference, 15 September 2005

A Presidency conference on High Performance Workplaces was held in London on 15th September 2005 at the Hilton Paddington Hotel. A research report published prior to the conference highlighted common characteristics of HPWs and indicated ways in which government policymakers, trade unions and business representatives could work together to create a high performance culture. The conference looked at different aspects of high performance companies, such as training and development policies, reward and commitment initiatives, work-life balance, diversity, information and consultation and the role of good employment relations. Case study firms were invited to give short presentations of the ways in which they have become high performance workplaces, and discussion ensued on useful ways of encouraging the development of HPWs at European level. It was decided that a web-based tool to support and promote good work organisation practices might be useful, and the Commission agreed to assist in taking this idea further.

www.dti.gov.uk/er/eu_pres.htm

The following documents are available for download:

Research report launched at the conference (1.37 mb)
Conference programme (185 kb)
Speaker biographies (4 mb)
Bill Callaghan's opening speech to the conference (26 kb)
Minister Gerry Sutcliffe's speech (35 kb)
Commissioner Vladimir Spidla's speech (36 kb)
Lenia Samuel's speech (Deputy Director General) (32 kb)
Closing remarks made at the conference (28 kb)
Photograph of the participants (804 kb)
Photograph of the panel (540 kb)

Details: 15^th September in the Hilton Paddington Hotel, London.

Contact: Melissa Perry, ER Europe and Strategy Team, DTI, tel: 0207 215 6645 or email Melissa.Perry@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Competition and Consumer Day, 15 September 2005

The Office of Fair Trading with the participation of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Competition Commission held a conference on competition and consumer issues on 15 September 05. Each Presidency traditionally has a Competition Day, but this was the first joint day. The event considered the concept of “choice” - demonstrating the importance of competition and consumer policies working well together to promote choice for consumers and business in markets.

Further information on the event can be found on the Office of Fair Trading Website.

Details: Main conference, 15th September 2005 at the TUC Congress Centre.
Contact: Hilary.Jennings@oft.gsi.gov.uk

Conference on the Knowledge Based Bio-Economy, 15 – 16 September 2005

The European Commission and the UK Government hosted a conference on the “Knowledge Based Bio-Economy”. The conference aimed to identify which strategic options should be taken to build a strong pillar to the Lisbon strategy by investing in a knowledge based bio-economy and making the transition to a sustainable and competitive economy. The conference examined the role of strategic research in securing this aim and focussed on 3 areas: Sustainable biological resources from the land, forest, or marine; “Fork to farm”: Food, health and well-being; Advanced genomics and biotechnology for sustainable products and processes.

Event Press Release (31 kb)

Details: 15^th – 16^th September at the Charlemagne Building, Brussels.
Contact: Linda Savin tel: 0207 215 1921 or email Linda.Savin@dti.gsi.gov.uk

NEST (New and Emerging Science and Technologies) Conference on
20-21 September, London

The conference considered the experience of NEST, a EUR 215m pilot programme introduced at the start of FP6 to develop an 'investigator-driven' approach to research that encourages new and emerging interdisciplinary and high-risk research. The conference debated issues related to the stimulation of scientific and technological research which cuts across established thematic areas and which offers real potential for improving Europe's science base. The conference was organised jointly by the European Commission and University College London.

Conference programme (37 kb)
A summary of the event (22 kb)
A mid-term review of the NEST programme in FP6 (46 kb)

Please visit the NEST conference Website on which the speakers’ presentations and other essential documents will soon be available.


Details: 20-21 September 2005, 1 Victoria Street Conference Centre, London.

Contact: Dr Ilse Vickers, NEST Conference Director, University College London
Tel. 020 7679 6488 E-mail: ilse.vickers@ucl.ac.uk

European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructure, 22- 23 September 2005

Each year, the country with the EU Presidency hosts the annual conference for the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). This event provided an arena for the discussion of proposed future research infrastructures that are of European significance and was attended by representatives of the Research Ministers of the EU Member States and by representatives of the European Commission.

Details: Thursday 22^nd September 2005 – Friday 23^rd. Venue: Church House, Westminster. Contact: Terry Mawby, CCLRC. 01235 44 5787 or t.mawby@rl.ac.uk

UK Presidency Better Regulation conference, 22nd - 23rd September

The aim of this Cabinet Office conference was to generate genuine and tangible top-level support for the Better Regulation Agenda among the European business community. The conference discussed how to make sure that European regulation supports competitive and dynamic European markets. The conference focussed on the themes of “Competitiveness and Consultation”. The DTI were involved in the event and Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, gave a well received
speech (13 kb) .

Further information about the event can be found on the event Website.

Details: 22nd -23rd September 2005 - Edinburgh, Scotland

EU-Russia Energy Permanent Partnership Council, 3 October 2005

Risk Capital Conference, 4 - 5 October 2005

The United Kingdom, with the European Commission, jointly hosted a major conference on risk capital, involving the European Union, the United States, and Asia Pacific rim countries.

Objectives: the Lisbon Strategy for growth and employment” by the High Level Group chaired by Wim Kok identified that more work is required to unleash the dynamism of financial markets and increase the availability of risk capital across the European Union. The risk capital conference underpined this work by sharing international good practice on innovative ways to improve access to finance for SMEs to EU Policy makers.

The Conference provided a platform to enable Member States, the European Commission, European Investment Bank (EIB) / European Investment Fund (EIF) and members of the finance community to examine global best practice in risk capital interventions. The Conference also focused on the risk capital aspects of the Lisbon strategy and what further actions are required and develop concrete recommendations.

More information can be found on the event website.

Details: The conference was held on 4th & 5th October 2005 in London at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel, London
Contact: Jo Heggarty tel: 0114 279 4386 or email Jo.Heggarty@dti.gsi.gov.uk

The Creative Economy, 5-7 October 2005

The Conference considered the creative economy and the value of intellectual property, particularly copyright.

It achieved this by:

· Stimulating dialogue on delivering value to investors in creativity and others in the IP value chain based on a robust intellectual property regime supporting a sustainable, fair and profitable Creative Economy

· Considering the role of the creator at the start of the IP value chain and how respect for copyright plays a key role in encouraging innovation and enterprise

· Exploring opportunities for recognising the needs of the user consistent with delivering revenues for others in the IP value chain

· Making recommendations to the EU, Member States, industry and other stakeholders that will enable the European Creative Economy to maximise its contribution to European competitiveness on the basis of equity, respect for Intellectual Property, and a symbiotic partnership between difference players in the value chain.

Attendees were representatives from the creative industries and others in the Intellectual Property value chain, European Commissioners and MEPs.

More information about the conference can be found at the official website.

Details: to be held 5^th-7^th October at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, London. Contact: Adrian Brazier: 0207 215 1295 or email Adrian.Brazier@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Bioscience Conference, 11 October 2005

The UK Government held a bioscience round-table conference similar to an event under the Dutch Presidency in November 2004. It covered issues of finance and regulation and the contribution of plant science to the knowledge based economy. The objective of the event was to progress the European Strategy for life sciences and biotechnology (target end date 2010).

Details: Tuesday 11^th October as part of the World Life Science Week, Excel, Docklands. Contact: Linda Savin  tel: 0207 215 1921 or email: Linda.Savin@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Competitiveness Council - 11 October 2005

The first meeting of the Competitiveness Council under the UK Presidency was held in Luxembourg on 11 October. Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for DTI, chaired the Council, and Lord Sainsbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, chaired the Research item on the 7th Framework Programme. The main items on the agenda were a policy debate on REACH (Chemicals Regulation); an orientation debate on the EU's 7th Framework Programme (FP7) on Research and Development, and an update on progress in the field of Better Regulation. In addition, the Commission presented information to the Council on the Internal Market Scoreboard; the State Aid Action Plan and Innovation; European Enterprise Awards; Communication on Industrial Policy; and Life Sciences and Biotechnology.

Council Agenda (53 kb).
Press release summary (205 kb).
Commission press release on European Enterprise Awards Scheme.

Details: 11th October 2005 - Luxembourg
Contact: Emma Smith, 020-7215-2663 or e-mail: emma.smith@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Public Hearing on Better Lawmaking and Better Implementation of EU Legislation,
19 October 2005

The Single Market Observatory (SMO) is the organisation set up to monitor the operation of the single market and suggest improvements. The SMO will hold a public hearing in London on 'Better Lawmaking and Better Implementation of EU Legislation', which will allow business and NGOs to have their say on the single market issues which affect them. Barry Gardiner, Minister for Competitiveness, will open the hearing.

Details: October 19th, at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, London
Contact: Further information and invitations are available from the Single Market Observatory: smo@esc.eu.int

e-Accessibility Conference, 21 October 2005

This event looked at how both the disabled and elderly populations in Europe can best be included in the benefits that electronic communications can offer (ie. in broadcasting, telecoms, Internet and electronic consumables). The conference considered the forthcoming EU Commission Communication on e-Accessibility, and whether the general direction that the Communication suggests is the right approach.

The event is linked to the i2010 event on 5-6^th September.

Details: to be held on 21^st October at the Landmark Hotel, London.
Contact: Paul Redwin, Europe & International Business Relations, tel: 020 7215 1853 or email: paul.redwin@dti.gsi.gov.uk.

European Social Enterprise Policy Colloquium 2005, 26 October 2005

The Social Enterprise Unit in DTI's Small Business Service supported the social enterprise national umbrella body, Social Enterprise Coalition, on an EU Public Procurement Colloquium.

The aim of this event was to share learning on the social enterprise experience in public procurement across the EU community; discuss common issues affecting social enterprise access to procurement markets; and develop suggestions on how social enterprise solutions can be encouraged through the procurement practices of public authorities.

Key influence on procurement and enterprise from the EU Commission, EU member states and the social enterprise sector were be invited to this invite only event and DTI Minister Alun Michael provided the keynote address on the UK Government perspective.

download (190kb).


Details: Royal Horse Guards, 1 Whitehall Place, London, 26 October 2005.
Contact: Paul Lewis, Social Enterprise Unit, SBS, Tel 020 7215 8549
email paul.lewis@sbs.gsi.gov.uk

ESRC/BA Conference on Social Science's Contribution to European Development,
3 November 2005

ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) with the British Academy organised a shop window conference on 2-3 November to promote the past contribution of social science to European policy development, and the potential future contribution. It had four themes: National and international security; Employment, and labour markets and economic globalisation; Educational achievement and social mobility; and, Demographic change and changing role of family.

News Release (28 kb).
Event Report (27 kb).
Event Summary (46 kb).

Details: Thursday 3 - Friday 4 November 2005, at the British Academy in London
Contact: Stephen Struthers: 01793 413037 or email stephen.struthers@esrc.ac.uk

Structural and Cohesion Funds Conference, 7 & 8 November 2005

The UK Government held a conference on the European Structural and Cohesion Funds reform. The conference discussed the strategic focus of EU regional policy during the UK's EU Presidency and considered the European Commission's proposals for a strategic approach to cohesion and how to increase the contribution of EU and national regional programmes to the Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas.

The event will be by invitation only.

Details: 7 & 8 November 2005 at the Baltic Centre, Newcastle.

Contact: Steve Cross: 0207 215 2606 or e-mail Steve.Cross@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Gender Equality Conference and Ministerial, 7- 9 November 2005

Meeting type: Informal Ministerial Meeting
Policy area: Competitiveness, Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs
Location: The ICC, Birmingham

The one and a half day conference “What Works for Women? meeting the challenges, sharing the solutions” centred on women’s economic empowerment. This conference marked the tenth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action for Women and the mid-term review of the Lisbon agenda. The event showcased best practice across the EU and also in the developing world, particularly after the Millennium Development Goal Summit in September. The conference focused on three aspects of women and work:

·         Breaking the Barriers – which included issues such as occupational segregation, women entrepreneurs and skills
·         Making Work Work – which included issues such as work life balance, childcare strategies and flexible working
·         Getting In and Getting On – which included issues such as education, the gender pay gap and ‘women at the top’

The conference was followed by a Gender Equality Informal Ministerial Meeting (8-9th November). Ministers from across the EU were invited to meet projects from across the West Midlands that promoted equality of opportunity for women, particularly in the area of work.

The following morning, Ministers discussed best practice and shared information on tackling gender inequality. The event contributed to the UK's Department for Trade and Industry's Presidency priorities of “promoting employment”.

Gender Equality Conference Programme (28 kb).
Informal Ministerial Programme (20 kb).
Meg Munn’s opening speech 2005 (25 kb).

Contact: Guy Horsington, Tel: 0207 215 6621 or email Guy.Horsington@dti.gsi.gov.uk
For further information please see the Women and Equality Unit Website

Next Generation Regulation: Delivering Competition Communications Conference
10-11 November 2005

This conference took place against a background of European efforts to move forward the Lisbon Competitiveness Agenda. It examined whether regulatory models for telecommunications and spectrum management remained fit for purpose in the light of these challenges of whether further change and development is required. The Conference looked at best practice from across Europe and the world.

Details: 10-11 November, Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Contact: Becky Foreman, Email: becky.foreman@ofcom.org.uk, Phone: 020 7981 3636

The European Enterprise Awards, 14th November

The European Enterprise Awards were launched in London on 14th November 2005 at the Enterprise Week 2005 Policy Summit. Vice President Verheugen gave a keynote speech along with Secretary of State Alan Johnson. There will also be a press conference to publicly launch the Awards scheme.

Details of the Awards were given to EU Ministers at the 11 October Competitiveness Council. At the same time, the Commission and UK Presidency issued a press notice which provided headline information about the Awards and looked forward to the formal public launch in November. A copy of this press notice is below.

Press Notice (23 kb).

Details: 14th November 2005, London
Contact: Anna De Pascali: 020 7215 6496 or e-mail anna.depascali@dti.gsi.gov.uk

EU Corporate Governance Conference, 14 November 2005

The UK Government hosted a EU Corporate Governance event following on from the event held under the Dutch Presidency. The aim of the event was to bring together representatives from Governments, business, regulators and the EU institutions in order to shape the medium to long term agenda on company law and corporate governance; engage with the work of the EU Corporate Governance Forum and encourage UK business to become involved in EU corporate governance issues at an early stage.

Further information can be found on the event website.

Summary of the event (27kb).

Details: 14^th November at the Mermaid Conference Centre, London.
Contact: Sudha Oza, tel: 0207 215 2529 or email Sudha.Oza@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Social Dialogue Conference 17 November 2005

Social Dialogue is a key strand of EU policy making.  With European enlargement some new Member States have identified that their lack of effective national social dialogue structures, particularly where sectors consist mainly of small firms, inhibits their contribution at the European level and the implementation of agreements.  The conference will provide a forum for experts on the social dialogue process to identify and share good practice, with participants from the Commission, Member States, business and social partner organisations.

Social Dialogue Conference Research Report (388 kb).

Details: to be held on 17^th November at the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, London. Contact: Melissa Perry, ER Europe and Strategy Team, tel: 0207 215 6645 or
email Melissa.Perry@dti.gsi.gov.uk



Evaluation - connecting research and innovation, - 17 November 2005

This conference brought together European interests in evaluation of science and technology research. The meeting arises from the European evaluation network, chaired by DG Research, where successive Presidency hosts organise a conference focusing on current issues. Key themes for this event included: The Research - Innovation Link, and Evaluation at the Strategic level. The audience were evaluators, researchers, policy.

Summary of conference (34 kb).

Details: Thursday 17 November in Manchester.
Contact: Margaret Dennis tel: 0207 215 1674 or email Margaret.Dennis@dti.gsi.gov.uk.

http://www.mbs.ac.uk/research/centres/engineering-policy/evaluation-network-conference.htm

Better regulation of lawyers, accountants and architects was the subject of discussion at a special DTI-hosted conference as part of the UK’s Presidency of the European Union. The conference took place in Brussels on 21st November.

The Better Regulation of Professional Services Conference, organised jointly with the European Commission brought together policy and competition officials from member states and leading professional groups.

Representing the UK, Baroness Ashton, Minister for civil law policy at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, told delegates that better regulation and placing the consumer at the heart of the regulatory framework can lead to more effective competition and so deliver the right quality of service at a fair price. She added that improved regulation was a fundamental part of the UK White Paper on The Future of Legal Services: Putting the Consumer First.

Also speaking, EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes set out the case for reform underpinning the Commission's recent report on competition in professional services. Member States outlined their experience and expectations of reform of the regulatory framework for professionals, who also include notaries, engineers and pharmacists.

Competitiveness Council - 28/29 November 2005

The second Competitiveness Council of the UK Presidency was held on 28-29 November 2005. Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry chaired the economic/industry items at the Council, and Lord Sainsbury, Under Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, chaired the research items and the Space Council.

Research items were taken on 28 November - we achieved a partial general approach on the EU's 7th Framework Programme, adopted Council conclusions on research and innovation, and had a lunchtime discussion on Hampton Court follow-up (in particular, how to increase private sector investment in R&D).

At the Space Council on 28 November, we had presentations on European Space activities (including National Space Programmes), agreed Council orientations on the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) communication, and had an exchange of views on International Co-operation.

Economic / industry items were taken on 29 November - we had a policy debate on REACH (paving the way for political agreement on 13 December 2005 at our extraordinary Council), endorsed the Commission's approach to industrial policy (over dinner), delivered Council conclusions on better regulation and Contract Law Project / Review of the Consumer Acquis, and received progress reports on the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), Services Directive, and Health and Consumer Protection Strategy.

Press release summary
Commission press release on national reform programmes

Details: 28th/29th November 2005 - Brussels
Contact: Victoria Pannett, 020 7215 3828 or e-mail: Victoria.Pannett@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Business Case for Diversity at the Workplace Conference, 28-29 November 2005

Policy Area: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs
Location: Brussels

This one day conference is organised in partnership with the European Commission. Its objectives are to provide an opportunity to stimulate debate and share good practices on the business case for diversity at the workplace and to disseminate the results of the European Compendium on Good Practice in Workplace Diversity which will be launched by the European Commission at this conference.

Participation will be upon invitation only with limited space available.

To register your interest in the Compendium and/or conference please visit the project website and complete the online enquiry form.

Telecommunications and Energy Council, 1 December 2005

This Council brings together Ministers responsible for Telecommunications and Energy policy from each Member State.

The meeting of the Energy Council under the UK Presidency was held in Brussels on 1 December. Malcolm Wicks, Minister for Energy, chaired the Council. The main items on the agenda were a policy debate on implementation of the internal market for electricity and natural gas, a policy debate on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy, and an update on the EU's energy relations with third countries.

The meeting of the Telecoms Council was held in the afternoon of 1 December 2005; Alun Michael, Minister for Industry and Regions chaired the Council.

The UK Presidency was successful in gaining broad consensus from Member States on the key principles and priorities for the review of the Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communication Markets and the future of spectrum policy. In addition, there was a broad measure of support and recognition of the importance of the three pillars of the i2010 strategy - the promotion of open and competitive markets, the strengthening of ICT research and the achievement of an inclusive information society.

Council Conclusions on i2010, eAccessibility and Digital Switchover were agreed.
With regards to the World Summit on the Information Society, the successful outcome of negotiations which was reported by the Presidency was welcomed by Member States.

The following documents are available for download:

Press release summary

Malcolm Wicks' statement on behalf of the EU Presidency: Council debates next steps on opening up energy market: (26kb).

i2010 Strategy Council Conclusion and eAccessibilty Council Conclusions (39 kb)

Digital Switchover Council Conclusions (26 kb)

Better Regulation Presidency Conclusions (14 kb)

Contact on Energy: Peter Gysin: 020 7215 6560 or email: Peter.Gysin@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Contact on Telecommunications: Armelle Bailey: 020 7215 1815 or
email: Armelle.Bailey@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Corporate Social Responsibility, 2 December 2005

The UK Government held a conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in December. The aim of the event was to showcase how CSR can help drive forward progress towards broader international goals. It paid particular attention to the role of financial institutions in driving CSR and developed a number of themes, including ways in which the financial sector can contribute towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. This event was also linked to the UK’s G8 agenda and its priority for work on Africa and explored the role of CSR in reducing poverty in the region.

Conference programme (27 kb).
Minister Barry Gardiner's speech (60 kb).

For more information about the event, please go to www.csr.gov.uk/feature.shtml

Details: Friday 2^nd December at RiverBank Park Plaza Hotel. Contact: Helen Griffiths tel, 0207 215 1026 or email Helen.Griffiths@dti.gsi.gov.uk

EU Research Infrastructures’ Conference, 6-7 December 2005

The Conference was organised for the EU by CCLRC (the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils), the University of Nottingham and with the support of the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA). It looked at the current and future needs of existing Users and Operators of Research Infrastructures and helped identify problems and opportunities at European level and inform the planning of the EC's 7th Framework Programme. The Conference covered all types of Research Infrastructures including those for the Arts and Humanities as well as those for the Biological and Physical sciences.

 Summary of the event  (16 kb).

Details: 6^th – 7^th December 2005 at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham. Contact: Terry Mawby, CCLRC

tel: +44 (0)20 1235 44 5787
e-mail: T.Mawby@rl.ac.uk

Competitiveness Council, 13 December 2005

Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science and Innovation chaired an extraordinary meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 13 December in Brussels to discuss the Chemicals Regulation, REACH. The Council reached political agreement on the Regulation, unanimously agreeing the compromise text that the UK Presidency put forward, with a few minor changes.

Council Secretariat Press Release

Contact: Emma Smith on 020-7215-2663 or e-mail: emma.smith@dti.gsi.gov.uk or
Anna Soanes on 020-7215-2716 or e-mail anna.soanes@dti.gsi.gov.uk

World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference - 13-18 December

The current Round of trade negotiations, the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) began in 2001. The DDA includes negotiations on agriculture, Non Agricultural Market Access (NAMA), trade facilitation, services and rules. Special and Differential Treatment for developing countries addressing, for example, the difficulties they face in implementing WTO agreements. The UK's aim is to work for an ambitious outcome to the current round of negotiations, ensuring that the development objectives of the Round are achieved. This will mean incorporating effective Special and Differential Treatment across the negotiations and ensuring that liberalisation is properly sequenced for Developing Countries and part of wider poverty reduction strategies.

A major milestone in the negotiations was the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December. There was progress on a number of issues at Hong Kong, which have the potential to benefit developing countries: an end date of 2013 was agreed for export subsidies; other nations signed up to the principle of duty free quota free access for least developed countries; there was commitment to end cotton export subsidies by 2006; new commitments on aid for trade and solid progress on trade facilitation. There is also a roadmap for concluding the round and delivering a fairer, freer trading environment.

Further information on the event can be found here.