News from the ACWL
Switzerland takes the final step towards becoming an ACWL Member
On 5 November 2004, Switzerland deposited its instrument of accession to the Agreement establishing the Advisory Centre on WTO Law and finalised the procedures to become a Member. Attending the ceremony at the Centre were H.E. Mr. Pierre-Louis Girard, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the WTO, UNCTAD, EFTA, EEC and the UN, Mr. Hans-Peter Egler, Head, Trade and Clean Technology Cooperation Division, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and Mr. Jean-Pierre Cuendet, Programme Manager, Trade and Clean Technology Cooperation Division, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The Centre was represented by its Executive-Director, Mr. Frieder Roessler, and its Deputy Director, Mr. Leo Palma.
Speaking on this occasion, H.E. Mr. Pierre-Louis Girard stated that the integration of developing countries into the world economy is the main objective of Switzerland's economic development cooperation. Ambassador Girard emphasised that the Centre is critical to defending the interests of developing countries, and in particular least developed countries, in the multilateral trading system. Ambassador Girard congratulated the Centre for the work accomplished so far and said that Switzerland looks forward to cooperating with others for the realisation of the Centre's objectives.
With the deposit of its instrument of accession Switzerland will become a Member of the Centre on 5 December 2004. Switzerland's accession brings the Centre's membership to 37: 10 developed countries, and 27 developing countries and customs territories.