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WTO Public Forum 2009This year’s edition of the WTO Public Forum offers an overview of discussions at the 2009 Forum, whose title was “GlobalProblems, Global Solutions: Towards Better Global Governance”.The Forum provided a unique opportunity for representatives of governments, non-governmentalorganizations, parliamentarians, academics, members of the business community, trade unions, journalists, lawyers andstudents to assess the role of the multilateral trading system in addressing the consequences of the financial and economic crisis. The issues discussed included improving global governance as a way of addressing world problems; the roleof the WTO and the Doha Round of negotiations in the current crisis; the impact of the crisis on developing countries; andthe challenges lying ahead and the post-crisis agenda for the WTO.The various sessions held during the Forum triggered a frank and open debate on the multilateral trading system aswell as on the challenges and opportunities facing the WTO. The Forum also sought to identify practical and effectiveways forward for the multilateral trading system. A chapter is devoted to each of the sessions held during the three-dayprogramme.Global Problems, Global Solutions: Towards Better Global GovernanceWTO Public Forum 2009WTO PUBLIC FORUM 2009GLOBALPROBLEMS,GLOBALSOLUTIONS:Towards BetterGlobal GovernanceISBN 978-92-870-3730-59 789287 037305
WTO PUBLIC FORUM 2009GLOBALPROBLEMS,GLOBALSOLUTIONS:Towards BetterGlobal Governance
World Trade Organization, 2010. Reproduction of material contained in this document may be made onlywith written permission of the WTO Publications Manager.With written permission of the WTO Publications Manager, reproduction and use of the material contained inthis document for non-commercial educational and training purposes is encouraged.ISBN: 978-92-870-3730-5 2009Also available in French and Spanish:French title ISBN: 978-92-870-3731-2 2009Spanish title ISBN: 978-92-870-3732-9 2009WTO publications can be obtained through major booksellers or:Direct from WTO PublicationsWorld Trade Organization154, rue de LausanneCH-1211 Geneva 21Tel: 41 (0)22 739 52 08Fax: 41 (0)22 739 54 58Email: publications@wto.orgOnline WTO bookshophttp://onlinebookshop.wto.orgPrinted by WTO Secretariat, Switzerland, 2010
Table of ContentsTable of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiiForeword by the Director-General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vAcknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viI.Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A.Plenary opening:Global problems, global solutions: Towards better global governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5II.Finding global solutions to global problems:The way forward towards better global governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9B.The role of business leadership in creating better global governance for world trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10C.International trade, speculation and agricultural commodity price spikes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15D.Climate-change policies and trade rules: Conflict or coherence? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20E.Protectionism – What does it mean for foreign direct investments? Implications for global governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25F.Interaction between competition and trade policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30G.Promoting global governance by strengthening the rule of lawH.Trade and employment in times of crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43I.Sharing and promoting innovative technology in public private global development partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48J.Global problems, global solutions: Towards better global governance in the agro-food chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50K.Regulating agricultural markets: A necessity made clear by crises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55L.Human rights impact assessments (HRIA): A pertinent tool for informing and improving trade governance? . . . . 60M.Increasing the transparency of SPS measuresN.Private environmental standards: Opportunities and challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69III.The role of the WTO and the Doha Round negotiations in the midst of the currentfinancial crisis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75O.International trade in services: WTO commitments and GATS rules in the context of the current financialand economic crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76P.Why global trade matters: World business perspectives on the role of the multilateral trading systemand the Doha Round in the context of the current economic crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79Q.To what extent are WTO rules enough to shield from protectionism? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84R.Can protectionism protect trade? The legislators’ perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88S.The WTO as a crucial component of the global governance architecture:Past lessons and future challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91T.Intellectual property, sustainability and the food system: Trends and new directionsU.The global financial crisis – WTO rules and the role of the state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101.366596iii
V.How do agreements on trade in services have a role in the financial crisis and the measuresto deal with the economic crisis? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104W.Formulating and implementing governance on health: the case of access to medicines in the developingand least-developed countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110X.Controversy at customs: The detention of medicines in transit: what impact on access to medicines?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115IV.The impact of the global economic crisis on developing countries,in particular LDCs, and the role of trade financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121Y.The BRICs at the Doha Round: Comparing crisis-born agendas and strategiesZ.Globalized supply chains and trade in value added . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128AA.Finance for trade: Effort to restart the engine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133.122BB. Developing-country safeguards fly below the WTO radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138CC. The global economic crisis and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142DD. New and old challenges to inclusiveness in a recessionary global economic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147EE.Multilateralism, our global crises and strategies for the future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153FF.Special and differential or equal and equitable? Systemic logic and the tailored integration of developingcountries and least-developed countries into the world trading system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156V.The main challenges facing the multilateral trading systemsand reflections on the post-crisis agenda for the WTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161GG. Between negotiations and litigation: reinventing the “middle pillar” in the WTO.162HH. Is the WTO out of touch with business? The subjects the WTO needs to address notwithstandingthe negotiating stalemate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165II.The universe of standards: legitimate protection, sophisticated protectionism,or potential development opportunity? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169JJ.Global networking to increase member-state capacity within the WTO dispute settlement process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176KK. Understanding WTO disciplines on agricultural domestic support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181LL.Strengthening global trade governance: Lessons from Latin America.186MM. New global contract for food and agriculture: what can the WTO contribute? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189NN. The collapse of global trade: Avoiding “murky” protectionism in times of crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192OO. Labour and environment provisions in bilateral and regional agreements:Challenges for the multilateral trading system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197PP.Rebuilding global trade and a post-Doha agenda for sustainable development:Priorities for reform of WTO governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201QQ. How food security and sustainable agriculture will change the post-crisis agenda of WTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205RR.Fundamental human rights at work and the role of the WTO: operational routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212Overview of Registered Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216iv
Foreword by the Director-GeneralThe WTO Public Forum has once again provided the perfect opportunity for dialogue among all those involved in themultilateral trading system.The Forum took place at a critical point in world affairs. In 2009, we witnessed an unprecedented downturn in the globaleconomy. A sharp fall in trade flows and a severe drop in employment rates meant that the threat of protectionismwas never far away. As history has taught us, unilateral reactions at times of global crisis can lead to even greatereconomic problems. As pressure mounted on the international community to come up with solutions, the WTO PublicForum 2009 and its theme, “Global Problems, Global Solutions: Towards Better Global Governance”, could not havebeen more relevant.By attracting over 1,400 participants, the Forum made an invaluable contribution to the global dialogue on the needfor a more sustainable world economic system that caters for the poorest and the weakest and that allows for morewidespread prosperity. A very lively discussion took place around four sub-themes, focusing on the impact of the crisison the poorest countries, the role of the WTO, the challenges confronting the multilateral trading system and thepossible way forward. The whole range of views and concerns raised during our three-day event are reproduced in thispublication. I hope that you will find these contributions as stimulating as we have.The interaction within the Public Forum becomes more rewarding every year. The event has firmly established itself asa cornerstone of debate on the world trading system. I sincerely hope that this engagement with all stakeholders inthe multilateral trading system will remain open for many years to come.Pascal Lamyv
AcknowledgementsThe WTO Public Forum 2009 publication was prepared under the general direction of Keith Rockwell, Director of theInformation and External Relations Division (IERD). María Pérez-Esteve, Counsellor in the IERD, led the project. Thispublication would not have been possible without the support and contributions of all those who organized sessionsduring the Public Forum. The IERD is very grateful for their assistance and thanks all the organizers for their reports,which form the basis of this publication.The IERD also acknowledges the cooperation of staff in the Agriculture and Commodities Division, the AppellateBody Secretariat, the Development Division, the Economic Research and Statistics Division, the Institute for Trainingand Technical Cooperation Division, the Languages, Documentation and Information Management Division (LDIMD),the Legal Affairs Division and the Rules Division for submitting reports on the various sessions of the Public Forumduring the event and contributing to the success of the forum. The IERD is also indebted to the volunteers in the WTOSecretariat who worked tirelessly throughout the event.The production of the Report was coordinated by Anthony Martin and Serge Marin-Pache of the IERD. Karen Turnbulland Stefania Gallo provided editorial assistance. Special gratitude is also due to the translators in the LDIMD for theirhard work.vi
IntroductionThe 2009 Public Forum was held at the WTOheadquarters in Geneva from 28 to 30 September.Entitled “Global Problems, Global Solutions: TowardsBetter Global Governance”, the Forum aimed to stimulatediscussions about all aspects of the multilateraltrading system at a time of global economic upheaval.The participation of governments, representativesof non-governmental organizations, trade unions,parliamentarians, academics, members of the businesscommunity, journalists, lawyers and students ensured awide-ranging debate that resulted in many new ways ofapproaching the subjects under discussion.The Forum was an important opportunity to assess therole of the multilateral trading system in the wake of thefinancial and economic crisis. Discussions reinforcedthe view that a rules-based multilateral trading systemcan make a significant contribution to global economicrecovery.“This publication provides asummary of the various sessionsheld during the Forum”This publication provides a summary of the varioussessions held during the Forum. Each report has beenprepared by the organizer(s) of the panel.The publication follows the structure of the four subthemes in this year’s Forum:I.Finding global solutions to global problems: Theway forward towards better global governance;II. The role of the WTO and the Doha Roundnegotiations in the midst of the current financialcrisis;III. The impact of the global economic crisis ondeveloping countries, in particular least-developedcountries, and the role of trade financing; andIV. The main challenges facing the multilateral tradingsystem and reflections on the post-crisis agendafor the WTO.“The first sub-theme consideredthe issue of improved globalgovernance as a way of addressingworld problems”Sessions under the first sub-theme considered the issueof improved global governance as a way of addressingworld problems. The discussions focused on gaugingthe scope for greater linkages between trade and otherfeatures of global governance. How can the globaltrade regime and global finance be better coordinatedand developed in a 21st century architecture of globaleconomic governance? What is the relationship betweenmultilateral climate-change rules and WTO rules?What trade policies can be put into place to safeguardemployment? What role is there for the public-privatepartnership for development? Is Human Rights ImpactAssessment (HRIA) a pertinent tool for informing andimproving trade governance? These are just some of thequestions raised during the sessions. Participants alsostressed the importance of assessing their own role increating better governance. The business communitywas particularly active in analysing how businessleadership can be developed to promote and strengthenthe multilateral trading system.“The second sub-theme focusedon the role of the WTO and theDoha Round of negotiations in thecurrent crisis”Discussions under the second sub-theme focused onthe role of the WTO and the Doha Round of negotiationsin the current crisis. The sessions asked whether, attimes of crisis, trade remedies represent a legitimatesafety valve or a problem in their own right. Discussionstouched upon matters such as the General Agreementon Trade in Services, the resolution of trade disputes,and the impact of the Trade-Related IntellectualProperty Rights (TRIPS) Agreement in terms of accessto medicine. Central to the discussion was the WTO’sability to create new trading opportunities – especiallyif the Doha Round of negotiations is concluded – andits responsibility in warding off protectionism. This wasexamined under the perspective of national governmentsvii
and legislators and their autonomy in formulating tradepolicies within the framework of WTO rules.“The third sub-theme focused ondevelopment issues, shifting thespotlight to the impact of the crisison developing countries”The third sub-theme focused on development issues,shifting the spotlight to the impact of the crisison developing countries. The sessions addressedthe greater economic interdependence created byglobalization, and its role in the spread of both theadverse and positive aspects of global developments.The sessions aimed to stimulate a fresh approach tothe design of trade rules that would assist the poorestcountries in achieving their long-term developmentgoals. It was noted that the mechanisms that the WTOhas in place, such as special and differential treatmentand safeguard measures, have shown all too clearly theirlimitations. Will the conclusion of the Doha DevelopmentAgenda help or hinder in increasing the resilience ofvulnerable countries during these tumultuous times?The role of trade financing in this context was addressedin a high-level session that included the WTO DirectorGeneral Pascal Lamy and H.E. Mr Kim Jong-Hoon,Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea.viii“The fourth sub-theme generateddiscussions on the challenges lyingahead and the post-crisis agendafor the WTO”The fourth sub-theme generated discussions on thechallenges lying ahead and the post-crisis agenda forthe WTO. The focus was on pending and emergingissues hindering the effective role of the WTO in globaleconomic governance. Suggestions were made on anumber of issues: consensus-building, transparencyenhancing and accountability within the WTO; theneed to increase member states’ capacity within thedispute settlement process; deeper links with the workof other international organizations; a more streamlinednegotiating process; strengthened trade monitoringand surveillance mechanisms; and the rising number ofbilateral and regional trade agreements. Questions onfuture issues to be included in the WTO agenda for thecoming years were also addressed: how food securityand sustainable agriculture will change the post-crisisagenda of the WTO; how agriculture can be strengthenedto meet future food demand and environmental goals;what the content of an agenda on environmental andlabour issues would be.In addressing this wide range of topics, the Forum hasonce again played its role as a means of assessingboth the benefits and deficiencies of today’s multilateraltrading system. It has allowed the participants tohighlight current best practices and to identify waysof moving towards better global governance and animproved multilateral trading system.
I. Inaugural speech by theDirector-General
Ladies and gentlemen,Welcome to the WTO’s Public Forum of 2009!It is always a pleasure to see the very large crowds thatthe WTO Public Forum draws. Your presence in suchimpressive numbers speaks to the relevance of the roleand mandate of the WTO. It stands as testimony to thehigh expectations that you have of the organization, andwhich the WTO should certainly strive to fulfil.It also shows that the WTO does not simply preachtransparency and openness on Sundays, but alsopractises them on Mondays! In fact, even on Sundays, aswe did several weeks ago in welcoming the public to ourpremises for the first time. And there is no doubt that theresults of yesterday’s referendum on the extension ofthe WTO’s headquarters here in Geneva will encourageus to extend our outreach to you even further.“It is to your needs and aspirationsthat this organization must cater, and Icertainly hope that this Forum will enablethe entire WTO-family, members andSecretariat staff alike, to better keeptheir “fingers on the pulse””As I have said many times before, it is to your needsand aspirations that this organization must cater, andI certainly hope that this Forum will enable the entireWTO-family, members and Secretariat staff alike, tobetter keep their “fingers on t
ways forward for the multilateral trading system. A chapter is devoted to each of the sessions held during the three-day programme. ISBN 978-92-870-3730-5 9 789287 037305 WTO PUBLIC FORUM 2009 GLOBAL PROBLEMS, GLOBAL SOLUTIONS: Towards Better Global Governance WTO Public Forum 2009 Global Problems, Global Solutions: Towards Better Global Governance
