WTO hosts public symposium: ‘Challenges Ahead on the Road to Cancún’
The World Trade Organization hosted a public symposium from 16 to 18 June 2003 on the challenges WTO Members face ahead of the WTO’s 5th Ministerial Conference this September in Cancún, Mexico. Participants from governments, parliaments, civil society, the business sector, academia and the media discussed how the new negotiations can address key challenges facing the multilateral trading system.
> Text of the Doha Declaration
> The Doha Declaration explained
> List of subjects
> Implementation decision explained
“…It is essential to finish these negotiations successfully and on
time, by 1 January 2005,” said WTO Director-General Dr. Supachai
Panitchpakdi at a 3 April meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee,
the body which oversees progress in the eight negotiating groups
comprising the Doha Development Agenda. “What we are doing here is
immensely important to economic growth and development prospects for
all participants. It will also make an irreplaceable contribution to
achieving a more stable, more equitable — and ultimately more peaceful
world. At a time of growing global economic uncertainty, progress in
the Doha Round toward its timely conclusion can make a much-needed
contribution to confidence,” he said.
The symposium featured work sessions on key subjects being negotiated
in the Doha Round
including trade and development, issues related to agriculture, trade in
services and trade and environment.