Issue No. 595 (16-30 Jun 2015)
WTO DG floats new approach on agri-subsidies

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Azevedo’s new efforts on agri-subsidies to conclude Doha Round
In a bid to achieve agreement at the Doha Round trade talks on the divisive issue of domestic farm subsidies, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo has reportedly floated a proposal in this area that departs markedly from the reform framework thrashed out in negotiations over the years.
by D. Ravi Kanth and Chakravarthi Raghavan

Azevedo ideas in agriculture surface as Australia-Canada non-paper
The WTO Director-General’s proposal on domestic agricultural support is mirrored in a new document put forward by Australia and Canada.
by D. Ravi Kanth

DG report to HOD raises more questions than answers
The WTO Director-General updated heads of delegation of member states on 17 June concerning his recent consultations with select trade envoys on the Doha Round, but his report appears to have left quite a few questions unanswered.
by D. Ravi Kanth

Rev. 4 text must be basis, insist majority of South nations
At a recent negotiating session on agricultural market access, most developing-country WTO members maintained that the Rev. 4 draft text on reform modalities should remain the basis for the agriculture talks.
by Kanaga Raja

Developing countries denounce recalibration approach for Doha Round
A 4 June meeting in Paris of trade ministers from 29 countries saw several developing-country ministers criticize moves to “recalibrate” the level of ambition for the Doha Round talks. D. Ravi Kanth reports.

US, Big Pharma pushing to end NV dispute moratorium on TRIPS
WTO member states differ over whether to allow so-called “non-violation” disputes to be raised under the ambit of the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement on intellectual property rights.
by Kanaga Raja

Rights experts voice concerns over BITs and FTAs
A group of UN rights monitors have drawn attention to the potential adverse effects of trade and investment treaties on human rights protection.
by Kanaga Raja

Analysis: FSB financial reform monitoring reports lack focus on EMDE problems
Assessments by the international Financial Stability Board of the impact of global financial reforms have accorded less attention to problems of design and implementation in developing than in developed countries.
by Andrew Cornford