Brussels, 15/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The OECD is organising the first World Forum on Competition on 17 and 18 October, in Paris. It will bring together the senior officials of nearly 20 transition and developing economies, their counterparts of 30 OECD member countries (as well as the EU) and five observers from the Committee on Competition Policy and Law. Commissioner Mario Monti will also take part at the Forum as well as UNCTAD Secretary General Mr Rubens Ricupero and a senior representative of the Anti-Trust Division of the US Department of Justice. Participants will above all examine the role of competition policy in economic reform, as well as the roles and the instruments of control and competition authorities in the implementation of reforms and instruments of international cooperation. The Forum will also allow ideas to be exchanged between the representatives of very different forms of economies. According to The Financial Times, a meeting between Commissioner Monti and his American counterpart, Mr James, is foreseen allowing for discussion on the aborted merger between GE and Honeywell. The American Department of Justice is to judge the "portfolio theory" applied by the European competition authorities. It is completely outmoded and hence subject to discussion. Amelia Torres, Mr Monti's spokesperson, says that "bilateral meetings" were still possible between Mr Monti and one of the participants at the Forum. Whatever, "Mr Monti will maintain his position (….) There will be nothing new", she added. In the meantime, the OECD has announced that Mr James will not be taking part in the Forum personally but will be replaced by one of his delegates.