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I. The WTO and the players that influence the multilateral
trading system
Objectives: To discuss the shift
of power in international politics, the role of the main actors
influencing the multilateral trading system and public attitudes
towards the WTO.
During fifteen years of WTO, the world has undergone major
geopolitical changes and has witnessed the rise of new state actors,
who, alongside the traditional players, are asserting their own role
in shaping the world's economic and political environment. There is
a growing awareness of the ascendancy of developing and least
developed countries, which now constitute two thirds of the WTO's
membership. The G-8, as a forum for exercising global governance,
has given ground to a more comprehensive G-20. Civil society
organizations, business groups, trade unions and other relevant
non-state actors (NSAs) are also affirming their role in shaping the
world's economic and political environment, including at the WTO.
They have become increasingly important interlocutors and partners
for governments, especially in the developing world.
In view of all of the above, has the geopolitical shift of power in
international politics influenced the decision-making process at the
WTO? Is the G-20 really representative and is the G-192 feasible?
What are NSAs preferred channels of engagement for seeking to
influence the on-going discussions at the WTO? What are the effects
of the economic crisis on public attitudes towards the WTO?
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II. The economic, political and technological factors shaping
world trade and the role of the rules-based multilateral trading
system in contributing to the global economic recovery
Objectives: To examine the
factors that are determining international trade — particularly in
the wake of the global economic crisis — and the role of the WTO
multilateral rules-based system, including the Doha Round, in
contributing towards mitigating the effects of the crisis.
The development of new technologies has also contributed towards
shaping international trade by changing the way business is
conducted and the way people interact. The rapid development of
technology has generated both new challenges and new opportunities
for economic agents worldwide. What are the main economic, political
and technological factors shaping world trade? What is the potential
of technological progress and innovation for improving the trading
position of the poorest countries? What is the role of the WTO
rules-based multilateral system in contributing to the global
economic recovery?
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III. Coherence between the WTO and other areas of global
governance
Objectives: To identify how the
WTO can promote coherence at the international level to better
address world problems and contribute towards improved global
governance.
Human rights protection, labour standards, environmental concerns,
gender equality, public health issues, climate change, scarcities in
food, energy and natural resources, and new private standards are
only some of the areas that the WTO is often called upon to consider
in the context of its daily activities, and in some cases to
incorporate in negotiations. To what extent should the WTO
coordinate its work with that of other intergovernmental
organizations? Is there a greater need for transparency and
accountability at the international level? How can the WTO address
issues that are likely to confront the world economy in the future,
such as social standards or climate change, without spreading itself
too thin or undermining support for open trade?
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IV. Looking to the future: What post-crisis agenda for the WTO in
a shifting-power scenario?
Objectives: To reflect on what
the post-crisis agenda for the WTO should be in a shifting-power
scenario and identify steps that will contribute towards bolstering
international trade flows and strengthening the multilateral trading
system.
The global economic crisis has lead to a considerable decrease in
trade flows. Although protectionist measures were largely held in
check, protectionism remains a potential threat to the global
economy and sustained recovery. A conclusion of the Doha Round would
contribute towards enhancing market access and strengthening the
rules-based multilateral trading system. The crisis has also
prompted reflections on the post-crisis agenda for the WTO,
including discussions on issues that are not part of the current
talks, such as trade and investment and trade and competition policy
among others. What steps can governments take that will contribute
towards reviving international trade flows? What is the role of the
Doha Round of negotiations in strengthening the multilateral trading
system? Will the risks of back-tracking increase if the necessary
political will to conclude the negotiations remains absent in 2010?
What should the WTO post-crisis agenda look like? Multilateral or
sectoral — the future of trade negotiations?
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Core themes