TWN Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (Nov05/09)

10 Nov 2005

Report on the meeting, and on the implications for the negotiations before and after Hongkong:  http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/twninfo297.htm (SUNS of 10 November).


19 Nov 2005


Mood of uncertainty in WTO on production of Ministerial text and process

Following the decision last week to lower expectations on what the Hong Kong Ministerial meeting will achieve, there is an atmosphere of uncertainty as to the process between now and the Hong Kong meeting, as well as after.

The uncertainty covers the nature and substance of the text that will be brought to the Ministers in Hong Kong, as well as the meetings to be held before, at and after Hong Kong:  http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/twninfo299.htm


Agriculture is the engine of the negotiations, stresses G20

In the aftermath of the failed Ministerial talks in London and Geneva on 7-9 November 2005, some of the key WTO members made statements and held media conferences to explain their side of the story.

On 9 November, the G20 made a statement and also held a press conference in Geneva, which was addressed by the Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and the Argentina Ambassador.

report on G20 statement on Nov.9:  http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/twninfo300.htm

Mood at WTO gloomy (Nov. 9, 2005):  http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/twninfo296.htm
State of NAMA negotiations:  http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/twninfo298.htm

Ambush warning at the WTO:
 http://www.focusweb.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=685&Itemid=36 (Focus on the Global South)