Seminar on Workshop Foreign Trade policy

on world trade organization and ministerial conferences.

1. SEMINAR ON WTO AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE POLICIES Title: WTO Ministerial Conferences held In Doha, Cancún, Hongkong, Geneva and Bali Presented by : Ashutosh Kumar

2. 4th Ministerial Conference - Doha The Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference was held in Doha, Qatar, from November 9 to 14, 2001 . It was a landmark event in the history of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as it launched the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) , setting the stage for a new round of global trade negotiations. This conference was particularly significant due to its emphasis on development, special treatment for developing nations, and public health issues . Background and Context The Seattle Ministerial Conference (1999) failed due to protests and disagreements between developed and developing nations. By 2001, key concerns included: Agricultural subsidies and market access for developing countries. Globalization’s impact on poorer nations, demanding a fairer trade system. Intellectual property rights (IPR) and public health , ensuring affordable medicines for diseases like HIV/AIDS .

3. Key Outcomes of the Doha Conference Launch of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) The Doha Round aimed to reduce trade barriers in agriculture, manufacturing, and services while ensuring special treatment for developing countries . It also addressed issues related to intellectual property, investment, and competition policy to create a more balanced global trade system. Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health Reaffirmed WTO members' rights to protect public health and ensure access to essential medicines. Allowed compulsory licensing for generic drug production in national health emergencies, benefiting developing nations struggling with diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis . Agriculture and Trade Barriers Developing countries pushed for reducing subsidies and improving market access for their agricultural products. The declaration committed to cutting trade-distorting subsidies and eliminating export subsidies over time, though disagreements slowed progress. Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) Strengthened provisions for flexibility in trade rules for developing countries. Developed nations were urged to provide technical assistance and capacity-building , while Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) were promised greater market access with fewer restrictions. Dispute Settlement System Review Aimed to make WTO's dispute resolution system more transparent and accessible . Developing countries sought easier participation, but reforms have been slow. Investment, Competition, and Procurement Transparency Discussions included foreign investment rules, fair competition policies, and open government procurement . While developed nations pushed for liberalization, developing countries resisted, fearing threats to economic sovereignty .

4. Challenges and Controversies The Doha Development Agenda faced major obstacles, including: Developed vs. Developing Countries – Developed nations (US, EU, Japan) sought greater market access, while developing countries pushed for fairer agricultural rules and subsidy reductions . Slow Negotiations – Since 2001, WTO conferences struggled to reach agreements on key issues. Doha Round Stalemate – Talks remain unresolved due to conflicts over agriculture, tariffs, and trade liberalization . Significance of the Doha Conference ✅ Launched the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) with a pro-development focus. ✅ Addressed public health by allowing flexibility in patent rules for essential medicines. ✅ Brought agricultural trade reforms into global discussions. ✅ Reaffirmed special treatment for developing and least-developed countries. Conclusion The Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference (2001, Doha) was a pivotal moment in international trade negotiations. It focused on development, fairness, and health concerns , particularly for developing and least-developed countries. While the Doha Development Agenda has faced major obstacles, it remains a key reference point for ongoing discussions about global trade justice and economic inclusivity .

5. 5th Ministerial Conference- Cancún The 5th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Cancún, Mexico, from September 10 to 14, 2003 . This conference was part of the Doha Development Round , which began in 2001 in Doha, Qatar. The purpose of this conference was to assess progress in the Doha negotiations and set the stage for future trade agreements.

6. Key Objectives of the 5th Ministerial Conference: Reviewing Doha Round Progress Aimed to advance free trade and address developing nations' concerns in areas like agriculture, services, and intellectual property. Agricultural Trade Reforms Developing nations (G20) pushed for subsidy reductions by the US and EU, arguing they harmed farmers in poorer countries. Negotiating the "Singapore Issues" Covered investment, competition policy, government procurement transparency, and trade facilitation. Developing countries opposed these as they primarily benefited multinational corporations. Special & Differential Treatment (SDT) for Developing Countries Called for flexibility, longer implementation timelines, and capacity-building support for least-developed nations.

7. Major Events and Outcome Failure to Reach Consensus Deadlock on Agricultural Subsidies: The US and EU refused to reduce subsidies, while the G20 demanded fairer trade policies. Collapse Over Singapore Issues: Developing nations opposed investment and competition policies, clashing with the EU. African Nations' Walkout: Led by Kenya, some African countries rejected deals favoring wealthy nations. No Agreement Reached: The failure stalled the Doha Round and underscored the growing influence of developing countries in trade negotiations. Consequences Stronger G20 Influence: Developing nations resisted unfair trade deals and gained negotiating power. Doha Round Stalled: WTO trade talks faced significant delays and struggled to regain momentum. Rise of Regional Trade Agreements: Countries shifted focus to bilateral and regional deals like TPP and RCEP. Conclusion The 2003 Cancún WTO Conference failed due to conflicts over agricultural subsidies and Singapore Issues , weakening the WTO’s credibility and stalling the Doha Round . This led to a rise in regional trade agreements and strengthened developing nations' influence in global trade.

8. 6th Ministerial Conference - Hongkong The 6th Ministerial Conference (MC6) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) took place in Hong Kong from December 13 to 18, 2005 . It was a crucial meeting in the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations, which aimed to reform international trade rules, particularly to benefit developing countries. Key Objectives Advancing the Doha Round: Focused on trade liberalization in agriculture, NAMA, and services. Setting Deadlines: Established timelines to finalize the Doha Development Agenda. Development Focus: Aimed to ensure fair market access for developing and least-developed countries (LDCs).

9. Major Outcomes of the 6th Ministerial Conference: DFQF Market Access for LDCs: Developed nations granted duty-free, quota-free access to 97% of LDC products, but concerns remained over the excluded 3%. Agricultural Trade Reform: Export subsidies to be eliminated by 2013; commitments to reduce trade-distorting domestic support and address cotton subsidies. NAMA: Aimed to lower tariffs on industrial goods, though developing nations feared negative impacts. Services Liberalization: Countries pledged to open their service sectors, but developing nations sought flexibility. Aid for Trade: Initiative launched to enhance trade capacity and infrastructure in developing countries. Negotiation Timeline: April 30, 2006, was set as a deadline, but talks stalled.

10. Challenges and Criticism Limited Concrete Agreements: While progress was made, many commitments were vague and lacked binding enforcement. Developing Countries’ Concerns: Many developing nations felt that the promised reforms were insufficient to address their trade disadvantages. Disagreements on Agriculture: The U.S. and EU faced criticism for not committing to faster reductions in agricultural subsidies. Stalemate in the Doha Round: Despite the commitments, the Doha Development Agenda negotiations eventually stalled and failed to achieve their intended outcomes. Conclusion The 6th WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong made partial progress on trade liberalization and development issues, particularly in agriculture, industrial goods, and services . The duty-free, quota-free access for LDCs and the elimination of export subsidies were notable achievements. However, disagreements between developed and developing countries, particularly over agricultural subsidies and tariff reductions, limited the overall success of the conference. Ultimately, the Doha Round negotiations remained unresolved, leading to ongoing trade disputes and future negotiations .

11. 7th Ministerial Conference-Geneva The Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 30 to December 2, 2009. Unlike previous sessions, it focused on discussion rather than negotiations. The theme was "The WTO, the Multilateral Trading System, and the Current Global Economic Environment." Background: The conference was convened after a lapse in biennial meetings, mainly due to stalled progress in the Doha Development Round (2001). It aimed to uphold WTO protocols and foster open dialogue among member nations.

12. Objectives Reviewing the Multilateral Trading System – Evaluating the WTO’s role in the global economy. Enhancing Transparency – Encouraging open discussions on trade policies. Addressing Economic Challenges – Exploring trade-driven recovery post-2008 crisis. Key Discussions Global Economic Crisis – WTO’s role in recovery efforts. Protectionism – Resisting trade-restrictive policies. Doha Development Round – Reviving stalled negotiations. Outcomes Renewed Commitment – Reaffirmed support for multilateral trade. Enhanced Dialogue – Improved understanding among members. Focus on Development – Prioritizing developing nations' trade benefits. Conclusion: In summary, the Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference served as a platform for reflection and dialogue, allowing members to assess the challenges facing the global trading system and to reaffirm their commitment to collaborative solutions.

13. 8th Ministerial Conference - Geneva The 8th Ministerial Conference (MC8) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held from December 15–17, 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland . Ministerial Conferences are the highest decision-making body of the WTO, held every two years, where trade ministers from all member countries gather to discuss key trade issues and make major policy decisions.

14. Key Aspects of the 8th Ministerial Conference 1 . Context & Background Held during global economic uncertainty post-2008 crisis. Doha Development Agenda (DDA) stalled due to disagreements. Frustration over WTO’s inability to deliver trade agreements. Discussions on new approaches to multilateral trade talks. 2. Major Outcomes of MC8 A. Doha Development Agenda (DDA) Ministers acknowledged the deadlock and sought "new ways" to advance negotiations. Reaffirmed commitment to multilateralism with more flexible approaches. B. Support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Agreement to enhance trade support for LDCs by simplifying preferential agreements. Commitment to improve market access and provide Aid for Trade initiatives. C. Accession of New Members New WTO members: Russia, Montenegro, Samoa, and Vanuatu . Russia’s accession was a milestone as the last major economy outside the WTO. D. Plurilateral Agreements Considered as an alternative to stalled multilateral negotiations. Allowed smaller groups of WTO members to advance trade agreements. E. Trade & Development Concerns Developing nations emphasized trade policies that support poverty reduction and sustainable development .

15. Challenges & Criticism The failure to advance the Doha Round was a major disappointment. There were divisions between developed and developing countries over agricultural subsidies, tariff reductions, and trade facilitation measures. Some members feared that the focus on plurilateral agreements could undermine the WTO’s core principle of non-discrimination (Most Favored Nation - MFN rule) . Significance Marked a turning point in WTO negotiations, shifting focus from broad comprehensive deals to issue-specific agreements . Laid the groundwork for future discussions that led to the Bali Package (2013) , which included the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) —the first major multilateral trade deal under the WTO. Conclusion The 8th Ministerial Conference of the WTO was a crucial meeting that reflected both the challenges and opportunities within the global trading system. While it did not achieve major breakthroughs, it initiated a shift towards a more flexible and issue-specific approach to trade negotiations, which influenced future WTO discussions.

16. 9th Ministerial Conference - Bali The 9th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC9) was held from December 3-7, 2013, in Bali, Indonesia . It marked a key moment in global trade by introducing the Bali Package , aimed at reducing trade barriers. As the WTO’s highest decision-making body, the Ministerial Conference occurs every two years. MC9 was critical in reviving the stalled Doha Development Agenda (DDA) , addressing long-standing disputes between developed and developing nations. Its most significant outcome was the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) —the first multilateral trade deal since the WTO’s inception in 1995—designed to simplify and streamline global trade.

17. Key Outcomes of the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference 1. The Bali Package A set of trade measures focused on trade facilitation, agriculture, and development . A. Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) Simplifies and standardizes global customs procedures. Expected to boost trade by $1 trillion annually and create millions of jobs. Key areas: faster customs processes, regulatory transparency, and technical support for developing nations. B. Agriculture Focus on public stockholding for food security . Developing nations, led by India , sought flexibility in food subsidies. A "peace clause" allowed stockpiling without WTO legal action. C. Development & Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Special provisions for LDCs to enhance global market access. Developed nations committed to: Duty-free, quota-free trade access. Simplified rules of origin for easier exports. Extended waiver for LDC service exports.

18. Challenges and Controversies Agriculture Dispute: India and other developing nations pushed for the right to stockpile food for security. Implementation Issues: Some countries lacked infrastructure to meet trade facilitation reforms. Developed vs. Developing Nations: The U.S. and EU sought stricter subsidy rules, while developing nations demanded flexibility. Impact of the 9th Ministerial Conference Restored WTO’s credibility with the first multilateral trade deal in nearly 20 years. Enhanced trade facilitation by reducing costs and improving efficiency. Strengthened developing nations through food security and better market access for LDCs. Encouraged future trade talks under the Doha Round. Conclusion The 9th WTO Ministerial Conference was a milestone in global trade, delivering the Bali Package and the TFA , which aimed to boost global trade and economic growth, particularly benefiting developing nations.