He outlined what he said were existing threats to free and frank cabinet discussions, such as secret press briefings from colleagues, leaks and memoirs.

BBC: Iraq advice 'should stay secret'

The Conference agenda include the development of strategies of lobbying the African Union, the ECOWAS, Southern African Development Community (SADCC) and other inter-state bodies to reform laws obstructing free speech and expression, and discussions of ways to develop proposals for common legal standards for free expression legislation in Africa.

UNESCO: Communication and Information

That isn't happening in Major League Baseball, which is poised for a week of discussions about possible trades and free-agent signings.

WSJ: Free of Strife, Baseball Turns to Trading

Many public policy discussions are either data-free or, worse, use misleading data.

FORBES: A convenient truth, miscounted

The appointment of Mr. Thompson is unlikely to interfere with Yahoo's discussions about the tax-free exchange of its stakes in Alibaba and Yahoo Japan for cash and other assets, some of the people familiar with the matter said.

WSJ: Yahoo Taps Scott Thompson as CEO

Sensing such a risk, Brazilian industrial groups nipped in the bud some recent discussions about a Brazil-China free-trade agreement.

ECONOMIST: China and Latin America

Company-wide knowledge grew exponentially through the creation of wikipages, employee blogs, open discussions forums to exchange ideas and free-flowing best practice information exchanges between workers located in different countries.

FORBES: CEMEX Blazes the Social Innovation Trail

Discussions at the summit also focused on at least three free trade pacts in the region.

BBC: Obama at Asean summit urges nations to ease sea rows

U.S. officials have said that Syria is free to bring up any issue it wishes at the conference, which will include discussions on a "comprehensive" Arab-Israel peace deal.

NPR: Expert Looks at Topics on Tap for Mideast Meeting