1. The eighteenth meeting of the Negotiating Group on Dispute Settlement (NGDS) was held in Panama from November 18-19, 2002. Ms. Meg Kinnear chaired the meeting. Mr. Federico Gajardo served as Vice Chair. In attendance were representatives of the following eighteen (18) countries of the hemisphere: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, the United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

2. The adopted agenda for the meeting is attached as annex.

3. All the items on the agenda were considered. The Group discussed the relevant extracts from the Quito Ministerial Declaration and their implications for the work of the NGDS. The NGDS approved its work plan for 2002-2003.

4. Information provided by twenty (20) countries on their respective national laws on arbitration and/or institutions, is posted on the FTAA web page on private commercial arbitration at http://www.ftaa-alca.org/busfac/canale.asp

5. The Group discussed contributions received from civil society in response to the open invitations to civil society.

6. The date of the next meeting of the NGDS will be scheduled by the TNC.
 

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

1. Approval of Agenda

2. Update on Mandate - Quito Ministerial Declaration

3. Work plan

* Approach to NGDS Chapter
* Meetings Required

* FTAA glossary on dispute settlement
* Public statement