The Doha Development AgendaState-of-PlayA Brief Overview.ppt

The Doha Development AgendaState-of-PlayA Brief Overview Gerardo Thielen Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation World Trade Organization INTRODUCTION Synthesis Brief Background of Doha Round Principal elements of the DDA State-of-Play in the negotiations The process ahead BACKGROUND Doha Ministerial Conference 2001 Background: Seattle, Millennium Round Ambitions, limits of Built-in-Agenda Doha Declaration (WT/MIN/(01)/DEC/1) Negotiation mandates + other work = Doha Development Agenda Principal elements of the DDA Negotiations: Agriculture and Services (Cotton added in 2003) Non-agricultural Market Access (NAMA) TRIPS (Register) WTO Rules Trade and Environment Trade Facilitation (added in 2004) Dispute Settlement Understanding (outside SU) Special and Differential Treatment for developing countries Principal elements of the DDA Work under the General Council, but not part of Single Undertaking: Electronic Commerce Small Economies Trade, Debt and Finance Trade and Transfer of Technology Relationship between TRIPS Agreement and the CBD, the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore. Process Issues: Single Undertaking – Consensus Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) Doha Round conclusion 1 January 2005 Concept of “Early Harvest” Transparency/Inclusiveness and Bottom-up approach Special Differential Treatment/Development Dimension. Almost 70% of Members are developing. From Doha to MC 7 in Geneva 2009 2002 – 2005 A tale of missed deadlines and insufficient political will - negotiations behind schedule. After Hong Kong Ministerial Conference little appetite for another negotiation style meeting. While important results at Hong Kong on agriculture, TRIPS etc. Members only inching slowly closer to agreement. Some negotiating fatigue. Early 2009, some Members call for a “regular” ministerial conference. Takes place in December 2009 World Leaders at G20 meetings have called for 2010 conclusion. Now longest multilateral negotia