Because the Forum takes place at the same time as the OECD’s annual ministerial summit, its conclusions will feed into those discussions. Indeed, several ministers of trade, economy, foreign affairs and health will join leaders from business, government, labour and civil society as well as OECD experts at the forum, before taking part in the ministerial event. This makes the OECD’s public forum uniquely placed in its capacity to shape policy among the world’s most powerful countries.

Speakers at Forum 2004 include French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, World Trade Organization Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi and former Korean President and Nobel Peace laureate Kim Dae-jung. Business figures include GlaxoSmithKline chief executive officer Jean- Pierre Garnier and Pfizer chairman and CEO Henry McKinnell, who will be joined by civil society leaders such as Mary Robinson, Executive Director of the Ethical Globalisation Initiative and former president of Ireland.

©OECD Observer No 242, March 2004