WTO Ministerial Conference delivers few results according to Seco
Published: Saturday, Mar 2nd 2024, 13:40
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According to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), the WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi produced few substantive results. As a result, the low expectations of this WTO ministerial conference were unfortunately confirmed.
On a positive note, it can be emphasized that Switzerland, together with its allies, was able to fend off attempts to weaken the protection of intellectual property through good work in advance, Seco said on Saturday at the request of Keystone-SDA. There had been no deterioration in this area.
"The meagre results of this ministerial conference nevertheless form a basis for continuing the multilateral negotiations," it continued. Whether and when this could lead to a substantial reform of the WTO is difficult to assess at present. In the meantime, plurilateral negotiations with part of the WTO membership would continue, including on e-commerce and sustainability issues. These are likely to gain in importance.
The negotiations at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference were also characterized by the tense geopolitical environment and conflicting interests of the major countries. Developing countries, led by India and South Africa, clearly insisted that their interests be given greater consideration.
Alliance Sud for fair trade relations
Alliance Sud, the working group of aid organizations, also criticized the lack of substantial results from the conference in a press release. The agreement on facilitating investment in developing countries was the most advanced.
It was promoted by the EU, Switzerland and China, among others, with the support of countries in the North and South, but not the USA, according to the statement. According to Alliance Sud, the agreement contains highly problematic provisions from a development perspective.
For example, Switzerland has also found a surprising ally in China in this area. However, it will have to ensure that it also demands compliance with human rights and social and environmental standards.
Above all, the conference showed that neoliberal globalization, spearheaded by the WTO for 29 years, is in crisis. "Now more than ever, it is time to build fairer international trade relations," said Alliance Sud.
©Keystone/SDA
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