World Trade Organization (WTO)
WTO Doha Round Bulletin
Week ending 24 September 2004 (Issue 2004/32)
- Cairns Group outreach activities
- Release of WTO 2004 World Trade report
- Forthcoming meetings in Geneva
Key Issues
Cairns Group outreach activities
The Special Negotiator for Agriculture, Christopher Langman travelled to Thailand and Malaysia during the week of 13 September to discuss the recently agreed agriculture framework text with these key regional Cairns Group colleagues. The discussions focussed on details of the framework, and plans for future Cairns Group collaboration on technical issues during the next phase of modalities negotiations. As a member of both the Cairns Group and the G20, Thailand welcomed efforts to encourage a close working relationship between the two groups. This visit is the first of a number of planned discussions with Cairns Group colleagues.
Release of WTO 2004 World Trade report
On 16 September the WTO released the "2004 World Trade Report". The report is part of a new series "designed to deepen public understanding of trade and trade-related policy issues and to contribute to more informed consideration of the options facing governments" writes WTO Director-General Supachai. Inter alia, the report examines the importance of coherence in policy formulation and the need to secure macroeconomic stability, supportive infrastructure, properly functioning domestic markets and sound domestic institutions to be able to reap the benefits of trade liberalisation. The report can be found on the WTO website at www.wto.org under 'new publications'.
Forthcoming meetings in Geneva
SEPTEMBER
27 Council for Trade in Services - Special Session
27 Dispute Settlement Body
28-29 Committee on Trade and Development
28-30 Negotiating Group on Rules
28 Trade Policy Review Body - Rwanda
30 Trade Policy Review Body - Rwanda
30 Committee on Import Licensing
OCTOBER
1 Council for Trade in Goods
1 Council for Trade in Services - Special Session
5-8 Committee on Government Procurement
7-8 Committee on Regional Trade Agreements
11 Trade Policy Review Body - Norway
11-13 Textiles Monitoring Body
11-12 Working Party on the Accession of Sudan
12-13 Committee on Trade and Environment - Special Session
13 Trade Policy Review Body - Norway
14-15 Committee on Trade and Environment
15 Committee on Rules of Origin
Contact Us
Trade Policy Section
Office of Trade Negotiations
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
BARTON ACT 0221
Fax: (02) 6261 3514
or e-mail trade.consult@dfat.gov.au
This bulletin is issued by the Office of Trade Negotiations, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It summarises key WTO Doha Round-related activities over the past week.