As secretariat of the World Electronics Forum (WEF), the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) today announced that the WEF Planning Group and the Australian Electrical & Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA), this year’s host, have agreed to an agenda for the 9^th Annual WEF. The Forum will take place Sept. 1-3, 2003, in Canberra and Sydney, Australia. 

Among the topics to be addressed by panels during WEF are: trade and open markets, including WTO issues, bilateral negotiations and the post-Iraq War international environment; intellectual property rights; new technologies; and the environment. Participants will also discuss broad issues such as globalization and its effects on the electronics industry; research and development; the role of government in policy, regulation and funding; industry trends in individual regions; and the need for international cooperation within the industry.

WEF participants are scheduled to hear from Australian Commonwealth and State and Territory Government leaders, The Honorable Ian Macfarlane, MP, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources; Senator The Honorable Richard Alston, Minister for Communications, IT and the Arts; The Honorable Michael Egan, MLC, NSW Treasurer and Minister for State Development; and Mr Ted Quinlan, ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism. In addition, they will have the opportunity to visit technology facilities at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney and to attend the Austronics Trade Show during their stay.

The goal of WEF is to develop positions on critical issues and to act as a common voice for the global electronics industry. Forum participants in previous years have included representatives from associations in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Slovakia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK and the US .

About WEF

The World Electronics Forum (WEF) is a voluntary gathering of worldwide electronics industries association leaders. Founded in 1995, WEF meets annually to discuss major topics of common interest, exchange information on services and data and strengthen relations between associations for the benefits and services of our industries. For more information regarding the World Electronics Forum, please visit www.wefonline.org.