The Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Seattle from November 30 to December 3, 1999. Trade ministers and other officials from the WTO's 135 member nations met in an unsuccessful attempt to plan negotiations to further deregulate free trade. Tens of thousands of activists for many causes gathered to protest what they saw as the WTO's favoring of corporate interests over social and environmental concerns.

This image shows US President Bill Clinton with WTO Director-General Mike Moore during a luncheon for WTO delegates. During the conference, Clinton encouraged the WTO to open its proceedings beyond government officials and corporate executives, including welcoming peaceful protests. He also advocated for free trade and stated that poorer countries could achieve economic growth without compromising environmental protections.

Caption information source: "Clinton implores WTO to open itself up," by Joel Connelly, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 2, 1999, page A1.