By Judy Aita
Washington File Staff Writer

New York -- Trade Centers around the world are showing their unity and reaffirming their commitment to promoting peace and stability through trade with special determination since the terrorist attack of September 11, according to officials of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA).

"On June 12, World Trade Centers around the world will demonstrate their unity in the wake of September 11 and reaffirm their commitment to our mission of promoting peace and stability through trade," said Guy Tozzoli, president of the World Trade Centers Association.

"WTCA Day is a day where regions of the world can embrace their unique cultures while celebrating and creating opportunities for trade without borders. This day launches a series of cultural and ethnic celebrations for the initial annual celebration of 300 centers in 91 countries on six continents," Tozzoli said.

Tozzoli and his staff escaped with some injuries from their offices on the 77th floor of the North Tower of the New York World Trade Center after it was struck by one of the terrorist hijacked commercial planes on September 11. Herbert Ouida, WTCA executive vice president, lost his son Todd who was at work for a firm on the 105th floor.

Their offices gone, WTCA received an outpouring of support from members throughout the world and now have new offices in New York City.

"The WTCA and its members are more determined than ever to answer this evil by continuing to foster trade as the vehicle for economic development and peace," Tozzoli said in a press release announcing World Trade Centers Day. "The WTCA believes the best answer to the intolerance and hatred of the attackers is to help create a world where all cultures are respected and diversity is celebrated."

The trade centers will be observing the day in many different ways, he said. For example, in Sao Paolo the World Trade Center will wrap a huge white ribbon around its headquarters. In Macao and Trieste the centers will unveil official WTC postage stamps. Major events are also planned at World Trade Centers in Dresden, Bucharest, Cairo, Paris, Hong Kong, Belgrade, Taipei, Los Angeles, Bogota, and Tallinn, Estonia. In addition to hosting a variety of events on June 12 each WTCA member will nominate a person or organization that best represents the group's mission of "stability through trade" to be included in a WTCA "Book of Honor."

In New York, WTCA is holding a three-day seminar that includes a lecture by Ousama Ghannoum, executive director of the WTC in Abu Dhabi.

The 30-year-old, not-for-profit, non-political WTCA was founded in and is headquartered in New York City. It supports the establishment and successful operation of an extensive worldwide network of individual World Trade Centers to enhance trade, promote economic development, and foster peace.

The association has helped lesser-developed economies gear up technologically to compete in the international trading community, holds programs to encourage understanding and respect for cultural diversity, and promotes free trade. The WTCA, Tozzoli points out, has been nominated for six consecutive years for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its work in bringing people together through their "one world" philosophy.

World Trade Centers attempt to stimulate their regional economies through trade and business leads, research information for businesses, provide on-line and e-commerce services, hold accredited trade education programs, and increase individual center effectiveness through the extensive WTCA network.

As evidence of the growing importance and effectiveness of trade center activity, WTCA officials point to plans for new trade centers in Barcelona and Zaragoza, Spain; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA; and Suwon, South Korea.

Landmarks of global commerce, many world Trade Centers own world class office towers, hotels and convention centers focused on enhancing commercial and economic development opportunities and coordinating the delivery of international trade services in their communities. Tenants include multinational corporations, consulates, global financial corporations, and trade promotion organizations, WTCA officials say.