CPD unhappy with WTO-MC 10, COP 21 outcomes

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has expressed frustration over the outcome of the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference 10 (WTO-MC 10) and COP 21 in Paris.
“The discussion at WTO-MC 10 was not inclusive. Basically, five countries dominated the conference,” said distinguished fellow of CPD Debapriya Battacharya. He was handling Q&A at the media briefing on the two recent global events at BRAC Centre Inn
yesterday.
Executive Director of CPD Mustafizur Rahman gave a presentation on the outcome of WTO-MC 10, while Fahmida Khatun made one on that of COP 21.
Prof Mustafizur said Nairobi MC 10 was an opportunity to ensure coherence and contribute towards attaining IPoA and Agenda 2030 in the context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through trade-related support and strengthened global integration of LDCs.
According to CPD, in the end, MC-10 will be able to salvage the Doha Round, but the emergence of deep divisions will have important ramifications for WTO’s future in terms of the Doha Development Round (DDR) agenda, system issues, approach to negotiations etc. CPD said that the discussion in Nairobi was not transparent and inclusive. It pointed out that while the European Union, the USA, India, China and Brazil mainly participated in the negotiations; it was the EU and the USA which dominated them.
The MC-10 declaration observed that members had different views on how to address negotiations. The declaration said that members strongly commit to addressing marginalisation of LDCs in international trade and improve their effective participation in the multilateral trading system.
“Towards that end, we will ensure that all issues of specific interest to LDCs are pursued on a priority basis, with a view to strengthening, making them commercially meaningful, and when appropriate, legally binding,” according to CPD.
Among the decisions taken, CPD said the conference, in particular, announced a significant raise in the exports of developing countries with a view to doubling the least developed countries’ share of global exports by 2020. Dr Mustafizur demanded that Bangladesh be closely engaged in these negotiations, given its position as the coordinator of the LDC group in WTO.
CPD emphasised on continued negotiations till the DDR Agenda is addressed. “Limit negotiation to what is feasible, wrap up the round, and start a new round,” said Dr Mustafizur.
About the $100 billion fund for climate change, Dr Fahmida said that Bangladesh has raised the demand that the fund for climate change be given as grant. However, she said the fund should be considered as an additional fund.
Referring to the declaration, Dr Fahmida said there is no clear clause about the fund as to how developed countries will provide it.

CPD unhappy with WTO-MC 10, COP 21 outcomes

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has expressed frustration over the outcome of the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference 10 (WTO-MC 10) and COP 21 in Paris. The discussion at WTO-MC 10 was not inclusive. Basically, five countries dominated the conference, said distinguished fellow of CPD Debapriya Battacharya. He was handling QA at the media briefing on the two recent global events at BRAC Centre Inn yesterday. Executive Director of CPD Mustafizur Rahman gave a presentation on the outcome of WTO-MC 10, while Fahmida Khatun made one on that of COP 21. Prof Mustafizur said Nairobi MC 10 was an opportunity to ensure coherence and contribute towards attaining IPoA and Agenda 2030 in the context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through trade-related support and strengthened global integration of LDCs. According to CPD, in the end, MC-10 will be able to salvage the Doha Round, but the emergence of deep divisions will have important ramifications for WTOs future in terms of the Doha Development Round (DDR) agenda, system issues, approach to negotiations etc. CPD said that the discussion in Nairobi was not transparent and inclusive. It pointed out that while the European Union, the USA, India, China and Brazil mainly participated in the negotiations; it was the EU and the USA which dominated them. The MC-10 declaration observed that members had different views on how to address negotiations. The declaration said that members strongly commit to addressing marginalisation of LDCs in international trade and improve their effective participation in the multilateral trading system. Towards that end, we will ensure that all issues of specific interest to LDCs are pursued on a priority basis, with a view to strengthening, making them commercially meaningful, and when appropriate, legally binding, according to CPD. Among the decisions taken, CPD said the conference, in particular, announced a significant raise in the exports of developing countries with a view to doubling the least developed countries share of global exports by 2020. Dr Mustafizur demanded that Bangladesh be closely engaged in these negotiations, given its position as the coordinator of the LDC group in WTO. CPD emphasised on continued negotiations till the DDR Agenda is addressed. Limit negotiation to what is feasible, wrap up the round, and start a new round, said Dr Mustafizur. About the $100 billion fund for climate change, Dr Fahmida said that Bangladesh has raised the demand that the fund for climate change be given as grant. However, she said the fund should be considered as an additional fund. Referring to the declaration, Dr Fahmida said there is no clear clause about the fund as to how developed countries will provide it.