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Webinar—20 February 2013 Geneva, Switzerland
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Record of WTO under Pascal Lamy Review of business survey Election timeline for Director-General Overview of the nine candidates on business engagement Panel discussion on leadership prospects and implications
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Doha Round impasse Growing membership of the WTO (158) Fighting protectionism Strong dispute settlement regime New research on value added and on non- tariff measures
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Prospects for Ninth Ministerial Conference in Bali, 3-6 December 2013 ◦ Trade facilitation ◦ Aid for trade ◦ Agriculture and special and differential treatment Parallel initiatives on ◦ Services ◦ Information technology ◦ US-EU bilateral trade negotiations ◦ Trans Pacific Partnership
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Over 300 respondents ◦ Mostly doing business in Europe and Eurasia but also all other regions Positive views on ◦ 95% agree WTO does vital work for business ◦ 97% agree trade generates growth and jobs ◦ 72% look to the WTO to ensure compliance by governments ◦ 62% still believe the Doha Round can deliver benefits to business
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Priorities for improving the global economy Conclude the Doha Round Adopt a trade facilitation package Go ahead on information technology and services Reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers Reform dispute settlement system to make it better Keep protectionism at bay
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Options for working better with business: 52% would like more networking events 56% favor business participation in WTO technical assistance and training 61% would like business representation in WTO meetings +90% favor a business role for training and capacity building of parliamentarians
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Nine candidates nominated by end of December 2012 Interviews with General Council end of January 2013 Selection process to start 1 April To be completed by 31 May New Director-General starts 1 September 2013
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Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen – Ghana Anabel Gonzalez – Costa Rica Maria Elka Pangestu – Indonesia Tim Groser – New Zealand Amina Mohamed - Kenya Ahmad Thougan Hindawi – Jordan Herminio Blanco – Mexico Taeho Bark – Republic of Korea Roberto Carvalho de Azevedo - Brazil
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WTO needs to be proactive ◦ Information flow, research and reporting ◦ Dispute settlement ◦ Trade negotiations Define what is meant by the business sector ◦ Sectoral differences ◦ Regional differences ◦ Size differences
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Mechanisms for outreach ◦ Liaison office within the WTO Secretariat ◦ Business advisory council ◦ Global business forum Engagement with all non-state actors ◦ Policy forum with larger business role ◦ Links with other development institutions ◦ Partnership with the International Trade Commission
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Clear rules of engagement with ◦ Open markets ◦ Removing barriers to trade Looking to 21 st century issues ◦ Different trading blocs ◦ Investment and competition ◦ Government procurement ◦ Climate change and natural resources ◦ No mention of food security?
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Ricardo Melendez-Ortiz ◦ Chief Executive Officer, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development Mark Halle ◦ Director, Trade and Investment, and European Representative, International Institute for Sustainable Development
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What difference will it make to the WTO to have a new Director-General? What are the official and unofficial criteria that are likely to play a role in the selection process? Do you have any preferences? If so, why? If not, why not? What are the implications for WTO leadership of the trade-related initiatives within and outside of the Doha Round?
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Making a difference with a new Director- General? Likelihood of developing country origin Balancing and alignment of different geographic blocs Coping with regional trade agreements Introducing new trade issues Other implications?
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Criteria in the selection process Scope and rank of experience in trade policy world Record of accomplishments Geographic rotation Alignments of sponsoring country Campaign presentations Actual policy positions?
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