WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/CTE/COM/6
18 September 2000
(00-3656)
Committee on Trade and Environment
REQUEST FOR OBSERVER STATUS BY THE ORGANIZATION
OF THE PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES
The following communication has been received from the Organization of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries requesting observer status in the Committee on Trade and Environment.
_______________
I am writing to inform you that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) is interested in being admitted, as an observer, to the Committee on Trade and Environment
of the World Trade Organization, as provid ed by Annex 3 of WTO Document WT/L/161.
In view of the objectives of our Organization [as outlined in the attached Statute] and the
active role it plays in the world energy market, as  well as its involvement in the international
environmental debate, it is very important for OPEC to attend the discussions of the WTO Committee
on Trade and Environment.
Hence, given the important role of oil in global trade and the environment, we would herewith
apply, through your good offices, for observer status in the Committee on Trade and Environment.
__________