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Fresh momentum for the WTO: MC10 Nairobi must deliver

Date

07 Dec 2015

Sections

Sustainable Dev.
Trade & Society

JOINT STATEMENT BY BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS WORLDWIDE

International trade is going through a profound and accelerated transformation. This is mainly due to changed trade patterns, the globalisation of value chains, the advance of new technologies, and the call for more sustainability in cross-border commerce. All of these changes are taking place in a by now multi-polar world. The World Trade Organisation (WTO), as the unique trade organisation with global reach, is the ideal forum to meet the challenges.

Ahead of the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in December 2015, the undersigned organisations call upon the WTO members to:

1. Speedily ratify and implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) 

Once in force, the TFA concluded 2013 in Bali will offer a significant boost for the global trading community during these critical economic times. Businesses around the globe are waiting for the speedy ratification and implementation of the deal. 

2. Seal agreements on Information Technology (ITA) and Environmental Goods (EGA)

The progress made in recent months on information technology and environmental goods needs to result in a successful conclusion of both agreements in Nairobi.

3. Harvest the low-hanging DDA fruits and allow for a thorough reflection on the launch of negotiations on new issues.

In times of immense challenges, economic operators worldwide are waiting with concern for negotiators to show leadership and demonstrate the ability of the World Trade Organisation to deliver. Started in 2001, the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) has yet to deliver on many issues under negotiation. In the meantime, global value chains and digitalisation have created new trade realities requiring multilateral approaches. Starting in Nairobi, the WTO needs to discuss a new set of issues and new negotiating dynamics with better prospects to reach agreement.

We believe that by achieving these objectives above, the WTO can show its determination and capacity to deliver on the current and future challenges of world trade on a multilateral basis.

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