Anand Sharma meets coalition partners G-20 and G-33 in Geneva – discusses state of play of WTO Doha Round Negotiations
Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, addressed Ministerial meetings of the two major coalitions of developing countries in the WTO agriculture negotiations, namely, the G-20 and G-33, in Geneva yesterday. These meetings were convened by Brazil and Indonesia, the coordinators of the G-20 and G-33 respectively, to discuss the state of play of the WTO Doha Round negotiations. Coordinators of other developing country groups, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small and Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) also participated in the meeting convened by the G-20. In his remarks, Shri Sharma highlighted the centrality of development in the Doha Round, and stressed that while striving for a balanced and ambitious outcome, the aspirations of the people of the developing world must be met.
Shri Sharma observed that in order to take the Round to a successful conclusion in 2010, it was important to achieve convergence through text-based negotiations, with a view to narrowing differences on major outstanding issues. He expressed concern about the limited progress on substantive issues since the resumption of talks in September 2009. He said that it was imperative to first lay the foundation for a meaningful stocktaking exercise by Ministers early next year. Shri Sharma emphasized the need for continued solidarity of developing country groups at this defining moment of the Doha Round. He appreciated the pivotal role of the G-20, in driving the agenda of the agriculture negotiations at the WTO and called for maintaining the Group’s unity. He also appreciated the concerted efforts of the G-33 which had paid rich dividends in the negotiations on the critical Special and Differential treatment provisions of Special Products and the Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM).
G-20 Ministers noted that international trade had been seriously impacted by the world economic crisis. The crisis had highlighted the risks associated with protectionism, including the substantial trade-distorting subsidies provided by developed countries. They noted that developing countries had borne the brunt of the crisis as they lacked the resources to fund stimulus packages or bail-out programmes.
G-33 Ministers collectively reiterated that the international trade regime must complement the realization of their development requirements by guaranteeing their food security, livelihood security and rural development. They sought a multilateral trading system which was supportive of the needs of all people, especially those who tended to be marginalized by globalization. They expressed concern at recent trends to retract commitments made in a long, hard-fought, negotiated package which was now on the table and called upon all Members for demonstrating strong political will for concluding the Round.
Shri Sharma is scheduled to address the plenary session of the WTO Ministerial Conference and a SAARC Ministerial meeting convened by Sri Lanka and a meeting of the Informal Group of 110 Developing Countries.
Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, addressed Ministerial meetings of the two major coalitions of developing countries in the WTO agriculture negotiations, namely, the G-20 and G-33, in Geneva yesterday. These meetings were convened by Brazil and Indonesia, the coordinators of the G-20 and G-33 respectively, to discuss the state of play of the WTO Doha Round negotiations. Coordinators of other developing country groups, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small and Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) also participated in the meeting convened by the G-20. In his remarks, Shri Sharma highlighted the centrality of development in the Doha Round, and stressed that while striving for a balanced and ambitious outcome, the aspirations of the people of the developing world must be met.
Shri Sharma observed that in order to take the Round to a successful conclusion in 2010, it was important to achieve convergence through text-based negotiations, with a view to narrowing differences on major outstanding issues. He expressed concern about the limited progress on substantive issues since the resumption of talks in September 2009. He said that it was imperative to first lay the foundation for a meaningful stocktaking exercise by Ministers early next year. Shri Sharma emphasized the need for continued solidarity of developing country groups at this defining moment of the Doha Round. He appreciated the pivotal role of the G-20, in driving the agenda of the agriculture negotiations at the WTO and called for maintaining the Group’s unity. He also appreciated the concerted efforts of the G-33 which had paid rich dividends in the negotiations on the critical Special and Differential treatment provisions of Special Products and the Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM).
G-20 Ministers noted that international trade had been seriously impacted by the world economic crisis. The crisis had highlighted the risks associated with protectionism, including the substantial trade-distorting subsidies provided by developed countries. They noted that developing countries had borne the brunt of the crisis as they lacked the resources to fund stimulus packages or bail-out programmes.
G-33 Ministers collectively reiterated that the international trade regime must complement the realization of their development requirements by guaranteeing their food security, livelihood security and rural development. They sought a multilateral trading system which was supportive of the needs of all people, especially those who tended to be marginalized by globalization. They expressed concern at recent trends to retract commitments made in a long, hard-fought, negotiated package which was now on the table and called upon all Members for demonstrating strong political will for concluding the Round.
Shri Sharma is scheduled to address the plenary session of the WTO Ministerial Conference and a SAARC Ministerial meeting convened by Sri Lanka and a meeting of the Informal Group of 110 Developing Countries.
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