We are pleased to inform you that our partners for the event are: Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD), Paris; European University Institute (EUI), Florence; and Overseas Development Institute (ODI), London.
This newsletter is to inform all about the developments as we go onto the D-Day on 16th November, 2021.
We are awaiting further speakers’ confirmation in the event.
DAY 1 - Tuesday, November 16, 2021
The inaugural session on 'Diminishing Multilateralism and Economic Recovery' will witness the presence of some eminent personalities from all over the globe, chaired by Mr. Nitin Desai, former Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations. One can also hear Prof. Frederic Jenny, Chairman, OECD Competition Law and Policy Committee and Chairman, International Advisory Board of CUTS Centre for Competition, Investment and Economic Regulation, and Ms. Isabelle Durant, Acting Secretary-General, UNCTAD, among others, speaking about the chances of revival of multilateralism and reforms required to attain economic resilience.
The first panel discussion of the day 'Growing Market Power Concentration – Role of Competition and Regulation' would revolve around market power concentration and its side effects on small businesses, thus widening the gap of economic inequality. The session will be chaired by Prof. Allan Fels, Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne catalysing a discourse around the role of competition and regulation, and the approach to be adopted to level the playing field for all. There will be other well informed voices speaking on the occasion. These include Prof. Nicolas Petit from EUI, Dr. Sothi Rachagan, Former Commissioner, Malaysia Competition Commission, Ms. Lynn Robertson from OECD and Mr. Daniel Schwarz, Senior Associate, Clifford Chance LLP suggesting the ways forward towards inclusivity and resilience.
The next session on 'Equitable Access to COVID-19 Healthcare' brings you a unique set of experts from the field of medical sciences, competition and international affairs. Experts like Dr. Mohan Kumar, Chairman, Research and Information Systems for Developing Countries (RIS), Prof. Bernard Hoekman, Director, European University Institute and Mr. Amadou Ceesay, Executive Director, Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission will bring different perspectives and insights to the table from their fields and respective regions. Talking and discussing about building back after the covid-19 crisis, with equitable access to healthcare impacted by the number of factors. The session will be moderated by Mr. Hardin Ratshisusu, Deputy Commissioner, Competition Commission of South Africa.
DAY 2 – Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Moving to the second day of the conference, the third session, 'E-commerce as a Vehicle for Inclusive Global Economy' will embrace the presence of speakers such as Ms. Shamika Sirimanne, Director, Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD, Dr. Peter Mwencha, Assistant Professor, American International University, Kuwait, and Dr. Katherine Kemp, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law and Justice, UNSW Sydney. The session will be chaired by Ms. Mia Mikic, Advisor at Large, ARTNeT and ex-UNESCAP, furthering dialogue on the growth of e-commerce all over the world, contours of inclusive e-commerce ecosystem and concerns around competition and regulation, in the backdrop of the sector being essential to help the consumer and the business to transact in a safe manner.
The last session of the conference on 'Creating More Income Opportunities and Jobs' will discuss the adverse impact of the covid-19 pandemic on jobs and income opportunities, pushing millions into poverty whilst increasing inequality around the globe. The session will have some sharp and intellectual minds on the table, including Mr. Arun Maira, former Member, Planning Commission of India, Mr. Kelvin Sergeant, ILO Decent Work Team DWT, South Asia and Country Office, India, and Prof. Sumit Majumdar, University of Texas, Dallas, USA.
The closing session of CUTS-CIRC 7th Biennial Conference on Competition, Regulation and Development will throw light on 'The Emerging Roadmap for a Resilient and Inclusive Economy' on the basis of the deliberations at the conference with keynote speakers like Prof. Simon Evenett, Professor, University of St. Gallen, Mr. Pascal Lamy, former Director General, WTO, Dr. Ioannis Lianos, President, Hellenic Competition Commission and Dr. Arvind Mayaram, Former Finance Secretary of India among others.
