Press Conference
9am Wednesday 23rd April 2003
Weatherhead Room, Central Hall Westminster
(adj to QE2 Conference Centre)

On Wednesday 23rd April the Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell will hold its annual general meeting (AGM) in London and in The Hague in the Netherlands.

Shell operates around the world and its activities impact on many communities worldwide. This year, for the first time, shareholders and directors at the AGM will hear first-hand from these communities what it is like to have Shell as a neighbour.

Community representatives from South Africa, Nigeria, the US and the Philippines will attend the AGM as shareholders, with the support of Friends of the Earth and the Refinery Reform Campaign.

Shell's neighbours want to expose Shell's impact on their environment and on their health. Many have spent years fighting for action from Shell's local managers. Now they are coming to London to publicly demand that Shell directors take responsibility for the impacts of their local operations. The affected communities are urging local changes, but they are also demanding changes to improve operations and accountability worldwide.

Friends of the Earth is organising this stakeholder representation at the AGM to raise concerns about the operations of UK companies at home and abroad. The group is calling on the Government to introduce new company law to recognise the rights of local stakeholders, and impose duties on directors to consult on their activities.

Journalists are invited to meet Shell's neighbours at a press conference before the AGM, at the Weatherfield Room, Central Hall Westminster. At the meeting Failing the Challenge - a report on Shell's activities and impacts around the world - will be launched.

Speakers will include:

• Hope Esquillo -Tura, a neighbour of the Pandacan oil depot in the Philippines^*
• Hilton Kelley, Port Arthur Shell oil refinery neighbor in Texas and the Refinery Reform Campaign
• Oronto Douglas, who has campaigned for many years to improve Shell's activities in Nigeria
• Margie Richard, a teacher from Norco, Louisiana, past president of
• Concerned Citizens of Norco and active campaigner Desmond D'Sa, from the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, South Africa.
• Tony Juniper, Director of Friends of the Earth.

Tea, coffee and pastries will be served from 9am

RSVP to Helen Burley, Press Office, 020 7566 1702 or email helenby@foe.co.uk

(*subject to visa)

More information:
Denny Larson, Refinery Reform Campaign
(US) 415-845-4705
Craig Bennett 020 7566 1667 07747 123565