 PRESS RELEASE
PRESS/303
22 July 2002
(02-4018)
AWARD
WTO receives peace award from Japanese foundation
Director-General Mr. Mike Moore today accepted on behalf of the World Trade Organization a
special award given by the Goi Peace Foundation to mark the organization’s contribution to worldpeace.
The Peace Pole, a hand crafted monument, was given to the WTO for “its leadership and
achievements for the improvement of welfare of the peoples living in the WTO member states and
for ensuring and improving the multilateral trading system.”
At an awards ceremony held in the WTO’s inner courtyard, Mr. Moore received the Peace Pole from
Mr. Hiroo Salonji, President of the Goi Peace Foundation.
The Peace Pole award was recently given to the United Nations, the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank.
The Goi Peace Foundation is an international organization founded in Japan and working with
UNESCO. Peace Poles are handcrafted monuments which serve as symbols of peace and friendship
among peoples. To date, more than 200,000 Peace Poles, planted in 180 countries, can be foundin national parliaments, governmental offices, international organizations and other public places.
END