What was your contribution to the event?:
Shirish Deshpande, CI Council Member, made oral submissions on behalf of CI in the third session at UNCTAD XIII Civil Society meet held in Geneva on 7th March 2012 on the President’s Negotiating text.
H.E. Mr. Anthony M Maruping was in Chair. Secretary General (Deputy) Mr Petko Draganov was also present.
With Swiss precision, I managed to convey our submissions in 3 minutes. Being the last session of the day, I took advantage of submissions made in earlier sessions and impressed upon the Chair that all issues ultimately boil down to consumer interest, be it financial crisis, labour issues, rising food prices, food security, investment issues, trade policies etc. (These were issues raised in earlier sessions).
I then referred to our 7 amendments and urged that the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) framed in 1985 need review to ensure meaningful protection of consumers from various dimensions including newly emerging technologies in Information and Communication. I made a fervent plea that UNCTAD XIII at Doha should mandate such review.
What outcomes do you have to report?:
Chairman in his concluding remarks did refer to my oral submissions made on behalf of CI. I must say it was well received. One participant described it as quite forceful and lively submissions.
I must thank Dr Jeremy, CI and also Robin for taking a chance with me and for entrusting this heavy responsibility on me. I have tried to do my best. I must specially thank Dr Jeremy and CI for agreeing to my suggestion to demand overall review of UNGCP i.s.o. limiting it to only A2K. It was good and timely decision. I will always be happy to contribute on strengthening UNGCP.
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