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New Paper On Comparing AG, NAMA Ambition Stirs Controversy In Both Negotiating Groups
A new Argentine paper on how to compare trade liberalisation in farm products and industrial goods stirred controversy in the WTO negotiating bodies on both agriculture and non-agricultural market access (NAMA) on 20 March. Tabled in both groups (TN/MA/W/67 and TN/AG/GEN/14), the paper expands on a methodology laid out by Argentina during the ‘NAMA week’ at…
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Plurilateral Services Negotiations Set To Start On 27 March
The plurilateral approach to the WTO services negotiations is set to move into high gear, with negotiations between groups of demandeur and target countries to start from 27 March. The plurilateral process was jumpstarted with the submission of 22 collective requests for market access starting from 28 February, the target deadline set out in the…
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New Zealand, Brazilian Fish Proposals Under Fire
During sessions of the WTO Negotiating Group on Rules on 15 and 17 March, several Members criticised proposals put forward separately by Brazil and New Zealand for a fisheries-specific amendment to the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. While welcoming the draft text from New Zealand (TN/RL/GEN/100) as a concrete proposal, a number of delegates said…
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TRIPS: Members Still Split On Relationship With CBD; GI Talks Going Nowhere
WTO Members remain divided on how best to achieve the objectives of biodiversity conservation and intellectual property protection so as to minimise the granting of ‘bad’ patents (i.e. erroneous patents incorporating naturally-occurring genetic resources). This was apparent both in the 14-15 March formal session of the Council on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS),…
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Constructive Ambiguity Saves LMO Labelling Discussions At Cartagena Protocol Summit
Following hours of negotiations, parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety managed to reach an agreement on trade-related documentation requirements for commodity shipments of living modified organisms (LMOs) — albeit one that was deliberately vague about some contentious issues. These requirements are central to the treaty’s goal to protect biological diversity and human health from…
- In Brief
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In Brief
SOUTH KOREA AND INDIA TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS ON FTA South Korea and India will begin talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) on 23 March in New Delhi. Deputy trade ministers Kim Joong-keun of South Korea and S. N. Menon of India will lead the discussions during the two-day first round of negotiations. This comes after a…
- WTO in Brief
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Aid For Trade Task Force Still Deliberating On Scope Of Mechanism
On 20 March, the WTO Aid for Trade Task Force held its second meeting since its inception, to decide how to fulfil its mandate to produce recommendations on the ways such assistance can contribute to the development dimension of the Doha Round. Composed of representatives from thirteen Member countries and chaired by Ambassador Mia Horn…
- Events
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Events
EVENTS For a more comprehensive list of events in trade and sustainable development, please refer to ICTSD’s web calendar. If you would like to submit an event, please email us. Upcoming : 23 March - 29 March 23 March, Maputo, Mozambique: MOZAMBIQUE NATIONAL RETREAT ON POST HONG KONG WTO NEGOTIATIONS. The meeting’s objective is to discuss and brainstorm…
- Resources
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Resources
STATE OF THE WORLD 2006. The Worldwatch Institute, December 2005. In the 23rd edition of State of the World — an annual guide to our progress towards a sustainable future — the studies pay particular attention to China and India: two of the world’s most rapidly developing countries in terms of industry, population, significance to…