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TWN
Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (Mar26/18) Geneva, 18 Mar (D. Ravi Kanth) — With eight days to go for the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Guyana, India, and South Africa have warned the WTO’s General Council (GC) chair that the “new format of MC14 discussions”, particularly “in the form of break-out sessions” lacks “inclusivity and transparency.” The process appears to be the handiwork of the Norwegian facilitator and some members of the “Friends of the System” group, including the United Kingdom, said people familiar with the development. Threats have been issued to some developing country trade envoys to fall in line or face consequences from their ministers, said a trade envoy who asked not to be quoted. In a letter to the GC chair, Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel of Saudi Arabia, a copy of which was seen by the SUNS, the five nations warned: “As we navigate a period of profound transformation in the global trade order – moving away from a multilateral rules-based system toward a more fragmented, regionalized landscape is not an option for us.” They added: “At this juncture, our collective efforts for an effective and inclusive WTO are essential to restoring trust in the multilateral trading system.” SUGGESTIONS The five nations expressed sharp concern that “despite significant efforts by the Membership to adhere to “Geneva First” principle, we do not have consensus documents in several areas, including on the high-priority agenda of WTO reform, for the ministers to adopt.” More disturbingly, they said that “the new format of MC14 discussions on WTO reform issues in the form of breakout sessions is raising process-related challenges, including on inclusivity and transparency.” The five nations made the following suggestions: 1. While breakout sessions are intended to discuss “Guiding Questions,” it is not clear when ministers can discuss the draft Work Program for WTO reforms expected to guide post-MC14 work, with no opportunity for follow-up discussion due to a packed agenda. 2. Ministers should discuss elements of the draft WTO reform work program during breakout sessions. Minister- Facilitators should include this in each session’s agenda as key guiding questions. 3. Under current modalities, each facilitator will prepare a summary of takeaways. Facilitators will then meet to review discussions and identify convergence, producing a single “takeaways” document. The five nations remain concerned that “this approach could raise questions of inaccurate reflections and potentially, not being free from bias (as all the Minister-Facilitators are chosen from the countries which overly support the facilitator’s proposals ditto).” 4. Alternatively, summaries should include an “Annex” capturing different Members’ views verbatim. Delegations could also upload summarized positions on a portal across areas. “These annexes should be an integral part of the “takeaway” document. This approach will ensure that the process remains fully transparent, open, and inclusive.” 5. Similar to WTO reform, there is no consensus on other deliverables, such as fisheries subsidies and agriculture. 6. During ministerial plenaries on these areas, facilitators should seek views on outcome documents rather than generalist discussions. The five nations stressed that their “suggestions and adjustments will ensure more inclusive, transparent and member-driven discussions at MC14” and “will bring in more transparency in our work and will enhance the mandate to furthering the reform process post MC14.” Several non-signatories to the letter told the SUNS that they support the changes sought by the five nations. The GC chair, however, remained silent when asked to comment. +
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