SEE
ALSO:
press releases
WTO news
Mike Moore's speeches
Renato Ruggiero's speeches,
1995-99
|
"The very
poor, the Least Developed Countries, still don't get the access they need for their
products and the technical assistance to fully engage so that they can sit at the table of
our global family and share equally and fully. It would not cost the rich nations much to
wipe away barriers for the poorest countries."There is no denying the
importance of trade to development. In the past 25 years, 1.5 billion people in 10
developing countries have had their incomes doubled and trade has been a crucial element
in raising the living standards of these people. Over the last 15 years, the share of
developing countries in world trade overall has increased from 20% to 25% and within 10
years this figure will rise to more than 30%. But the fact is, that more needs to be done.
Three billion people live on less than $2 per day. This is unacceptable and we must, all
of us, redouble our efforts at eradicating poverty.
"The
World Trade Organization will join with others to win this battle. The good work of the
United Nations, UNCTAD, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the International
Trade Centre and the WTO needs to be better co-ordinated.
"But
the WTO has a vital role to play. Through a system of rules, agreed by consensus by our
134 member governments, the WTO has created a system where the little guy not only has a
say, but where he can protect and defend his trading rights. It must be said that trade in
itself will not solve all the world's problems, yet without trade the world's problems
will be made much worse. Developing countries seeking to improve the lives of their
citizens will have one very important avenue to prosperity closed to them. Trade remains a
key element in sustaining and spreading the benefits of interdependence.
"At
our Ministerial Conference in Seattle it is vital that WTO Member Governments dedicate
themselves to finding solutions to problems of the poorest countries. We need these
solutions now – not in seven or eight years.
"The
negotiating agenda for Seattle is still being shaped. But we need to go beyond those
sectors, agriculture and services, where negotiations have been mandated. No other issue
is as important as addressing the plight of the poor nations.
"In
the coming weeks and months, I will be meeting with government officials, members of civil
society, academics and journalists in an effort to advance this cause. The WTO is an
organization which stands for fairness and equity. It is an organization which is based on
the rule of law, not force. The WTO was created to give each nation, each member
government, the opportunity to raise standards of living, to expand the production of and
trade in goods and services and to promote sustainable development. I intend to devote all
my efforts to ensuring that we live up to that promise." |
|
