In line with the agreed conclusions adopted by the Intergovernmental Group of Experts at its seventeenth session (TD/B/C.I/CLP/52) on 13 July 2018, the consultations at the eighteenth session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts will focus on the following topics:

1. Work carried out by the discussion group on international cooperation

2. Competition issues in the digital economy

3. Competition issues in the health sector, specifically looking into pharmaceuticals and health-care services

4. International cooperation of competition authorities in the fight against cross-border anticompetitive practices and mergers

5. Voluntary peer reviews of competition law and policy

6. Capacity-building and technical assistance activities in competition law and policy carried out to date

7. Review of chapters IX and X of the Model Law on Competition

Written contributions

In order to facilitate the deliberations and the informal exchange of experiences and best practices on the topics to be discussed, member States and observers are requested to submit written contributions to the UNCTAD secretariat by Friday, 31 May 2019, to allow participants to prepare for the session.

Participation

This meeting is open to all member States of UNCTAD. Other organizations, including specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations in the general category, may participate as observers.