Sydney: The informal meeting of officials from 25 World Trade Organisation (WTO) member countries including India began on November 15 morning amidst tight security with the focus on helping poor countries obtain drugs for fighting dreaded diseases.

The morning session was devoted to trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS) of medicines, officials said.

The agenda for the day includes reaching a consensus on implementation of specific and preferential treatment of developing countries for fighting diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria, they added.

Issues on trade-related technical assistance and market access to non-agricultural and service products would also be discussed.

Ministers and officials from 25 countries including India are here to share views on the Doha Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. The Indian delegation is headed by Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie, who also holds Commerce and Industry portfolio.

More than 1,000 police maintained security at the venue, where the city hosted the 2000 Olympic games, amidst fears of anti-globalisation protests and terrorist threats.

The venue was ringed by concrete barricades and wire-fencing to keep the protestors at least three km away. Helicopters patrolled the area while local roads were blocked.

Some 19 protestors were arrested and a journalist injured after the anti- globalisation demonstrators burnt US flags and clashed with police on November 14.

PTI