Pakistan, North Korea left out of global consumer event: Paswan

New Delhi: Pakistan and North Korea have not been invited to the first 2-day global conference on consumer protection to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here next week, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Friday.

As many as 24 Asian nations including Japan, China, South Korea, Afghanistan, Thailand and Myanmar have been invited for the international conference, he told reporters.

"We have not invited Pakistan and North Korea for the event after taking views of the external affairs ministry. The event of this kind is being organised for the first time," Paswan said.

Being organised in association with UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) with the theme, 'Empowering consumers in new markets', the event will kick off on October 26 at Vigyan Bhavan, he said.

The objective of the conference is to share initiatives taken in connection with the implementation of the UN guidelines with regard to consumer protection. The conference will deliberate on various trends and challenges faced by consumers in areas such as e-commerce, inclusion in financial services, education and empowerment, addressing the needs of vulnerable and disadvantages sections, the minister added.

The global event has been planned following a suggestion by the UN body which in its recent meeting had emphasised on strengthening regional cooperation on issues related to consumer protection.