DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                                           2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                                 Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-473-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                             15 June 2006

AMBASSADOR MANALO CHAIRS SELECTION BOARD FOR WIPO CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

 15 June 2006 – Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in  Geneva, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that he chaired the inaugural meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Construction Project Selection Board  on 14 June 2006 in Geneva.

Ambassador Manalo explained that the initial meeting of the Board involved the pre-selection of candidates for the external management entity that will be tasked to supervise, on WIPO’s behalf, the general contractor, the architects and the technical studies offices.   The entity  will also take on the management of the cost, deadlines and work quality in conformity with the terms of reference of the project.

The construction project was approved by Member States during WIPO’s 41st General Assembly last September.   The project entails the construction of an extension to WIPO’s headquarters worth SFr 100,000,000 (Swiss francs). The volume of the project is estimated to be 190,000 cubic meters with a surface area of about 47,000 square meters. The new building will have 560 work places including a cafeteria, a car park and an additional basement when completed.

Ambassador Manalo is chairing the Selection Board in his capacity as the WIPO General Assembly Chairman. The Vice Chairs of the Board are the Chairmen of the Committee and the Program and Budget Committee. The Permanent Representatives of the current coordinators of the seven regional groups in WIPO complete the list of the Board’s membership.   The next meeting of the Board is slated this year. END

 

/epa