Trade Observatory docs

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Documents are sorted by author: Z-A.

Title A-Z Z-A	Author A-Z Z-A	Date 1-9 9-1
Statement by the Delegation of Zimbabwe on Systemic Issues	Zimbabwe	December 21, 1999
3k Document summary Our view on systemic issues is that, the WTO should be more inclusive, more responsive and more transparent.
Africa's Role in Multilateral Trade Negotiations: Past and Future	Zhen Kun Wang and L. Alan Winters	March 8, 2000
83k Document summary This paper looks at the role of African countries in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations and their potential role in the next one. It also argues that in terms of access to partners' market trade preferences are no substitute for bound most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff reductions.
Impact of Transparency on Foreign Direct Investment, The	Zdenek Drabek and Warren Payne	December 15, 1999
210k Document summary Non-transparency is a term given in this paper to a set of government policies that increase the risk and uncertainty faced by economic actors foreign investors. This increase in risk and uncertainty stems from the presence of bribery and corruption, unstable economic policies, weak and poorly enforced property rights, and inefficient government institutions. Our empirical analysis shows that the degree of non-transparency is an important factor in a country's attractiveness to foreign investors.
Can Trade Policy Help Mobilize Financial Resources for Economic Development?	Zdenek Drabek and Sam Laird	January 8, 2002
119k Document summary The linkages between trade and resource mobilization are complex and not well defined in theory. This paper looks at direct and indirect as well as the short- and long-term effects of different trade strategies. We also briefly review trade barriers in goods and services affecting developing countries and the potential gains from further trade liberalization.
Multilateral Agreement on Investment: Convincing the Sceptics, A	Zdenek Drabek	October 18, 2000
73k Document summary Much has been written about the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). Perhaps even more has been said by the critics of those who would like to see an agreement of this kind extended among other countries. There has indeed been a great deal of "toing" and "froing" about the desirability of MAI and even misunderstandings about its merits. The principal question of this paper is whether there is any need for MAI.
Engaging with Civil Society: Lessons from the OAS, FTAA, and Summits of the Americas	Yasmine Shamsie	June 20, 2000
92k Document summary This discussion paper addresses a theme that has generated heated debate among policymakers and representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) throughout the Americas: how and whether to incorporate civil society views into multilateral instruments and processes. The paper considers how the views of CSOs are being incorporated within the Organization of American States (OAS), the Presidential Summits of the Americas, and within the current negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
Trade: Seattle Repeated at Libreville	Yash Tandon	January 24, 2001
30k Document summary 'Libreville 2000' was supposed to be a corrective and collective African answer to the WTO Seattle debacle. It was supposed to put Africa back into the 'mainstream' for a new round of trade negotiations and including new issues since Singapore -- such as environment, government procurement and labour, as well as the old ones left over from Marrakech. In the event, Libreville 2000 turned out to be yet another defeat for the WTO leadership, power structure and establishment. [from the south-north development monitor SUNS]
Food Security: Restrictions and Risks for the World Trade Organisation in Sub-Saharan Africa	Yannick Jadot, SOLAGRAL	September 23, 1999
49k Document summary International trade regulation; Cascavel, april 1998.
SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA: Obligaciones Y Retos en Torno a la OMC para los Países de Africa Subshariana	Yannick JADOT, Solagral	September 23, 1999
60k Document summary La regulation de los intercambios internacionales; Cascavel, abril 1998.
Multifunctionality of Agriculture: Convince and Reform, The	Yannick Jadot, Solagral	November 19, 1999
5k Document summary From Yannick Jadot, at Solagral in France, an article that will be published in the next issue of "Terre Citoyen" from the Fondation pour le progres de l'humanite.
Securite Alimentaire: Contraintes et Enjeux autour de l'Organisation Mondiale du Commerce pour les Pays d'Afrique Subsaharienne	Yannick Jadot	September 23, 1999
64k Document summary La régulation des échanges internationaux; Cascavel, avril 1998.
Challenges Facing Farmers' Organizations in the Renewal of the Lomé Convention	Yannick Jadot	April 21, 1999
28k Document summary A great deal of often constructive discussion took place after the publication of the Green Book in both European and ACP countries, leading to new perspectives for a fifth Lomé Convention. But ACP countries had demonstrated a limited ability to put forward proposals.
Shi Yan and her Little Donkey Farm	Yang Lu	September 17, 2009
263k Document summary Last year, Renmin University PhD candidate Shi Yan bade farewell to her "petit bourgeois" life in Beijing and spent six months on a farm in Southwest Minnesota in the United States. There, she worked as a farmer and experienced first-hand the operation of American farms. Meanwhile, she was searching for an answer to a question that had long left her bewildered. (Translated by IATP.)
Interface Between Foreign Direct Investment and the Environment: The Case of China, The	Xian Guoming, Zhang Cheng, Zhang Yangui, Ge Shunqi & James X. Zhan	September 11, 2000
153k Document summary This paper examines the role of foreign direct investment in China with particular focus on its implications for the environment.
Open Letter on Institutional Reforms in the WTO	WWF, CIEL, IATP, ActionAid, FoE, Oxfam	October 12, 2001
63k Document summary As WTO members meet for the final stretch of negotiations on the draft Ministerial declaration before Doha, the undersigned NGOs urge them to seriously address the systemic inequalities and imbalances, which have prevented them from making meaningful progress on key substantial issues and continue to cast doubts on the legitimacy and transparency of the multilateral trading system. This open-letter focuses on issues and concerns related to internal and external transparency.
Can the World Trade Organisation Live Up to the Challenges of a Globalizing World?	WWF International	November 5, 2001
19k Document summary As governments prepare for the first global meeting of trade ministers since Seattle, they face an international political and economic crisis of historic dimensions. Indeed, the determination of governments to move ahead with the upcoming ministerial meeting in the face of unprecedented security concerns reflects a widely shared belief that the steady advancement of global economic integration is more important now than ever. WWF -- which has always stood in favour of a fair and balanced, rules-based trading system -- agrees that improved economic relations are a fundamental necessity if we are to construct a healthy, equitable, and stable world and applauds the energies which governments direct towards strengthening co-operation and international law. But the present crisis will require more than an intensified dedication to the status quo as it existed prior to the atrocities of 11 September.
No Investment Agreement within the WTO: Re-directing Investment to Promote Sustainable Development	WWF International	November 8, 2001
51k Document summary Over the last two decades the volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased considerably. During this same period there has been an acceleration of environmental degradation -- be it greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation or biodiversity loss. WWF recognises the importance of FDI for a country's economic development, but also that it can harm its prospects for future development. It is therefore vital that the links between FDI and the environment are clearly understood to ensure that FDI promotes rather than undermines countries' prospects for achieving sustainable development.
Reform Agenda for the WTO Seattle Ministerial Conference; 09.99, A	WWF	November 3, 1999
21k Document summary WWF Position paper.
Directing WTO Negotiations towards Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development	WWF	November 19, 1999
19k Document summary This discussion paper highlights some of the linkages between agriculture, trade and sustainable development, which should be further analysed and addressed in the forthcoming trade talks.
Draft Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health	WTO Working Group	November 12, 2001
23k Document summary This draft is very close to the language that is expected to appear in the version distributed by the Committee of the Whole for final consideration. This document is not final and could change. It was made available late in the afternoon on November 12, 2001.
GATS: elements requires for services text	WTO secretariat	March 6, 2008
92k Document summary Compilation of drafting suggestion from the WTO secretariat
WTO proposed banana deal	WTO secretariat	July 17, 2008
20k Document summary Proposed deal between EC and tropical countries on bananas
Environmental Effects of Services Trade Liberalisation: Discussion Paper on the,	WTO Secretariat	October 7, 2002
96k Document summary This paper looks at three selected areas: tourism, land freight transport (inter-urban) and environmental services. Subsequently, it briefly considers the horizontal issue of how to assess environmental effects of services trade liberalization. The objective of the paper is to stimulate debate.
NAMA Negotiating Group Meeting 25-29 April, 2005	WTO Secretariat	May 2, 2005
40k Document summary Concluding remarks by the Chairman on the NAMA Negotiating Group Meeting 25-29 April, 2005
Canadian "income tax" tariff reduction formula	WTO Secretariat	June 2, 2005
90k Document summary The WTO Secretariat interpretation of Canada's proposal for a tariff reduction formula for agriculture. The Secretariat describes the Canadian proposal as similar to European income tax calculations.
Working Calender Services Autumn 2005 until Hong Kong	WTO Secretariat	August 12, 2005
41k Document summary Working Calender Services Autumn 2005 until Hong Kong
Organization of discussions in the Working Party on Domestic Regulation - autumn 2005	WTO Secretariat	August 12, 2005
20k Document summary Organization of discussions in the Working Party on Domestic Regulation
Road Map Domestic Regulation and Calendar of Meetings 2006	WTO Secretariat	February 20, 2006
29k Document summary Road Map Domestic Regulation and Calendar of Meetings 2006
Schedule for Services Cluster March and April	WTO Secretariat	March 13, 2006
40k Document summary Schedule for Services Cluster March and April
Simulation for NAMA Tariffs, May 2006	WTO Secretariat	May 30, 2006
417k Document summary Simulation exercise conducted by the WTO Secretariat on non-agricultural tariffs for the non-agricultural market access (NAMA) negotiations.
Simulation for NAMA Tariffs (Summary), May 2006	WTO Secretariat	May 30, 2006
2550k Document summary Summary of simulation exercise conducted by the WTO Secretariat on non-agricultural tariffs for the non-agricultural market access (NAMA) negotiations.
Compilation of Text-Based NTB Proposals, March 2007	WTO Secretariat	March 26, 2007
252k Document summary A compilation by the WTO Secretariat of all members proposals for how to deal with non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in the non-agricultural market access (NAMA) negotiations.
NAMA Simulations on Stephenson's Text, September 2007	WTO Secretariat	September 4, 2007
1214k Document summary Simulations for non-agricultural market access (NAMA) based on Ambassador Stephenson's Text, September 2007.
Plurilateral request on Environmental services - Examples on classifications	WTO Members	May 31, 2006
62k Document summary Plurilateral request on Environmental services - Examples on classifications
Plurilateral Request Cross Border Supply	WTO Members	March 16, 2006
196k Document summary Plurilateral Request Cross Border Supply
Table Requesting and Targeting countries - plurilateral services negotiations	WTO Members	March 16, 2006
37k Document summary Table Requesting and Targeting countries - plurilateral services negotiations
Collective request mode 3	WTO Members	March 27, 2006
34k Document summary Collective request mode 3
Plurilateral Request Education	WTO Members	March 14, 2006
55k Document summary Plurilateral Request Education
Collective request Distribution Services	WTO Members	March 20, 2006
23k Document summary Collective request Distribution Services
Collective request Distribution Services	WTO Members	March 20, 2006
23k Document summary Collective request Distribution Services
Collective request MFN Expemptions	WTO Members	March 20, 2006
44k Document summary Collective request MFN Expemptions
Collective request on services related to agriculture	WTO Members	March 20, 2006
45k Document summary Collective request on services related to agriculture
Collective Request Mode 4 - Movement of Natural Persons	WTO members	March 13, 2006
54k Document summary Collective Request Mode 4 - Movement of Natural Persons
Collective request legal services	WTO members	March 13, 2006
44k Document summary Collective request legal services
Model Schedule Legal Services, Option A	WTO members	March 13, 2006
22k Document summary Model Schedule Legal Services, Option A
Model Schedule Legal Services, Option B	WTO members	March 13, 2006
35k Document summary Model Schedule Legal Services, Option B
Plurilateral Request Air Transport Services	WTO members	March 13, 2006
46k Document summary Plurilateral Request Air Transport Services
Plurilateral Request for Audiovisual Services	WTO members	March 13, 2006
43k Document summary Plurilateral Request for Audiovisual Services
Geneva Agreement on Trade in Bananas	WTO members	July 27, 2008
59k Document summary An agreement on trade in bananas by key countries involved in such trade at the WTO.
Second Draft of WTO Chairman's Ministerial Text	WTO Members	October 23, 1999
114k Document summary Second Draft of World Trade Organization Chairman's Text For Declaration at Seattle Ministerial Meeting, Dated Oct. 19, 1999. DRAFT MINISTERIAL TEXT
Majority of WTO Members may Refuse Consensus on Ministerial Declaration	WTO Members	December 21, 1999
5k Document summary In the attached joint statements, a majority of WTO Members express their "profound disagreement", "anger" and "disappointment" with the Seattle process. They note that unless changes are made, no consensus will follow.
Assessment of Trade in Services	WTO Member States	October 17, 2001
104k Document summary A communication sent by the delegations of Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti India, Kenya Pakistan, Peru, Uganda, Venezuela and Zimbabwe to the Council for Trade in Services. This paper is intended to renew the call for an assessment of trade in services and looks at the following issues: (i) The objectives of the GATS as stipulated in the Preamble and in Article IV and XIX, as well as the objectives set out in the preamble of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. (ii) Secondly, it highlights reason why assessment of the GATs continues to be so important, giving a brief outline of what we already know has been the effects of the GATS on developing countries so far. (iii) It then attempts to address the issues for can assessment by suggesting a comprehensive set of criteria by which an assessment can be conducted. (iv) Finally, the paper gives recommendations of a desired timeframe and mechanism for such an assessment to be carried out.
Reclaiming Development in the WTO Doha Development Round	WTO Member States	November 29, 2005
26k Document summary A group of developing countries in the WTO - Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Namibia, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, and VBenezuela issued a joint submission on what development should be in the context of the WTO negotiations.
Internal Transparency and Effective Participation of Members	WTO General Council	January 30, 2002
37k Document summary Excerpt from General Council Minutes of 17 July 2000: item 12, which discussed internal transparency of the WTO.
Draft Hong Kong Ministerial Text, 1 December 2005	WTO Director-General, Pascal Lamy	December 1, 2005
251k Document summary Second Draft Hong Kong Ministerial Text submitted to members on the 1 December 2005. This text will first be sent to the General Council for approval and then back to capitals for Trade Minister to formulate their positions.
Draft Hong Kong Ministerial Text, 26 November 2005	WTO Director-General, Pascal Lamy	November 26, 2005
247k Document summary Draft Ministerial Text for the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong, 13-18 December 2005. This is the first draft text submitted to the WTO Members by the chair of the Trade Negotiating Committee, Pascal Lamy, on 26th November 2005.
Aid for Trade: WTO Monitoring and Evaluation	WTO Director-General, Pascal Lamy	December 12, 2006
43k Document summary Report by WTO Director-General, Pascal Lamy. Follow up to the Aid for Trade Task Force Recommentations (WT/AFT/1) on WTO monitoring and evaluation of Aid for Trade.
Director-General Remarks at OECD Council	WTO Director-General	May 4, 2005
28k Document summary Remarks by the WTO Director-General at the OECD Council at the Ministerial level, Paris 4 May, 2005.
Lamy Reply to open letter by NGOs on services	WTO Director General Pascal Lamy	November 17, 2005
43k Document summary I would like to thank you for your letter dated 1 November 2005 on the process of negotiations in Services in the WTO. Your letter raises a number of points which warrant factual correction. These corrections are made without prejudice to the views of Ambassador Fernando de Mateo, Chairman of the Special Session of the Council for Trade in Services, to whom your letter was copied.
WTO - NEGOTIATIONS ON AGRICULTURE (OVERVIEW)	WTO Committee on Agriculture (Special Session)	December 18, 2002
700k Document summary 1. Under the programme adopted by the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture on 26 March 2002, the Chairman is required to prepare an overview paper on the negotiations on agriculture as a basis for a comprehensive and substantive review of possible modalities, including rules-related elements, to be conducted at a Special Session to be held on 22-24 January 2003 (TN/AG/1 refers). In accordance with this mandate, the Chairman submits herewith this overview on his own responsibility.
Negotiations on Agriculture First Draft of Modalities for the Further Commitments [2003.02.12]	WTO Committee on Agriculture	February 12, 2003
129k Document summary Advance copy of a document to be issued as TN/AG/W/1 on Monday, 17 February 2003 - Attachment 8, Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture
Green Economy: A Transformation to Address Multiple Crises	WTO And Other Organizations	June 30, 2009
29k Document summary UN System bodies call for collective response to financial and ecological crises A group
WTO African Group: Joint Proposal on the Negotiations on Agriculture	WTO African Group	March 30, 2001
13k Document summary The importance of agriculture in the economies of African countries cannot be overstated. Notwithstanding geographic and climatic diversity and other country specificities, the agricultural sector in African countries is the main source of rural livelihoods and, in general, employs more than two-thirds of the labour force.
WTO Secretariat Activities With NGOs	WTO	April 19, 2001
9k Document summary Outline of WTO Secretariat plans for consulting with NGOs in preparation for the Qatar Ministerial.
Committee on Agriculture General Council Overview of WTO Activities (2001)	WTO	October 23, 2001
215k Document summary A report on the regular meetings of the Committee on Agriculture held thus far in 2001.
Draft Ministerial Declaration (Revised)	WTO	October 28, 2001
73k Document summary The WTO has revised the Draft Declaration to the 4th Ministerial. This is an early copy of the revised draft.
Possible Elements for Chairman's Statement	WTO	January 30, 2002
9k Document summary Statement handed to delegations today, 30 January, by the Chairman of the General Council of the WTO.
Coordinated WTO Secretariat Annual Technical Assistance Plan 2002	WTO	March 5, 2002
418k Document summary This Coordinated WTO Secretariat Annual Technical Assistance Plan for 2002 is work in progress. Effective implementation of the Plan began on 1 January 2002. However, the Plan will be in dynamic evolution, and will be subject to regular reviews.
2002 WTO Calendar	WTO	March 15, 2002
14k Document summary Proposed schedule of meetings for the World Trade Organization in 2002.
WTO Press Briefing Materials for the 4th Ministerial	WTO	November 5, 2001
3k Document summary Hot link to WTO press briefing materials for the 4th Ministerial in Doha, Qatar. PDF file download available.