International Trade and Development

Statement by Dr. Asad M. Khan, Minister, Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the Untied Nations on Agenda Item 47 (a): International Trade and Development (New York, 5 November 2008)

Mr. Chairman,

At the outset my delegation wishes to align with the statement made by the distinguished representative of Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

  1. We thank the Secretary General for his report on agenda item 47(a) and the Trade and Development Board for the reports on its various Sessions.
  2. The Secretary General's Report (A/63/324) has underlined that while increased trade has been the hall mark of a globalizing world, the ongoing financial crisis has chilled global demand; the food crisis and high energy and commodity prices have seriously affected global supply and efforts aimed at poverty reduction; and the climate change poses a long-term challenge.
  3. We fully agree with the Secretary General’s assessment and strongly believe that the unfolding development emergency triggered by multiple crises of finance, food and energy has created a new sense of urgency to successfully conclude the Doha Trade Round on a priority basis.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. At no point in recent history, we needed to unleash the potential of trade as a powerful engine of economic growth and development as we need now. The continuing impasse in the Doha Round of Trade Negotiations infact further distorts the capacity of the multilateral trading system to deliver on its much-trumpeted development potential.
  2. Even, the evolving global environment is not very helpful and is undermining the possibility of international trade acting as a vehicle for stimulating consumption and production as well as promoting employment.
  3. The development dimension of the Doha Round meant that firstly, prosperity which results from international trade should not be the domain of a select few. Secondly, some should not have greater say in the process than the others. Thirdly, that we all have an abiding interest in promoting a well-functioning, rules-based, open, equitable and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system and an inclusive and participatory negotiation process that promotes development.
  4. The inability of the major trading nations to break the impasse so far, has not only weakened the multilateral trading system but also marginalized the poor countries. Besides, it has undermined the capacity and endeavours of the developing countries including countries like Pakistan, to achieve the Internationally Agreed Development Goals including MDGs.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. In this globalized world, the stalemate in the Doha Round is bad news for both the developed and the developing countries. The global financial and other crises have further reinforced the notion of an integrated world and how our fate and destinies are linked.
  2. We need to move quickly and creatively to resolve the deadlock, bearing in mind the considerations of equity and fairness. In this regard, it is important that we learn from our past mistakes in deciding on the future direction and pace of reform in the global trading system.
  3. Pakistan firmly believes that there is a compelling case for fast tracking the implementation of long standing international commitment to make trade a real instrument of growth and development. The key benchmarks for a truly development oriented outcome of the Doha Round are:
    • One, liberalization in the agriculture sector, including through the elimination of trade destortive agriculture subsidies.
    • Two, enhanced market access by eliminating and/or reducing non-tariff barriers, market access barriers and residual bias in tariff structures. The exports of developing countries are specially constrained by several arbitrary and abusive non-tariff measures, including sanitary and phyto sanitary and anti-dumping actions.
    • Three, fast tracking negotiations for the liberalization of Trade in Mode IV on movement of labour.
    • Four, early operationalization of special and differential treatment for the developing countries.
    • Five, ensuring that the weaker and non-competitive countries are not negatively affected by trade liberalization, especially in their effort to industrialize and build the capacity for production, especially raw material processing, and enlarged exports by re-aligning the special and differential treatment in their favour.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. Closer linkage between international trade and the achievement of the MDGs and other internationally agreed development goals necessitate developing specific indicators and benchmarks to monitor progress. Such monitoring should record both positive results and negative impacts of trade regimes and liberalization notably on the transfer and application of technologies required for development and industrialization.
  2. Moreover, the transfer and dissemination of knowledge, technology and know-how is essential for the sustained economic growth and sustainable development. The global IPR regime should facilitate this. A more comprehensive review is, therefore, required of the TRIPs regime to make it development oriented.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. The Conference on Trade and Development - UNCTAD - has made invaluable contributions to identifying and advancing the goals of development through trade. UNCTAD must continue its tradition of producing high quality analysis, forecasts and recommendations to advancing the goals of fair and open trade designed to promote development. We welcome the outcome of UNCTAD XII held in Accra, Ghana on 20 – 25 April 2008 and look forward to the only implementation of the decisions taken.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. The impasse in Geneva negotiations is too important to be ignored. Clearly, the process needs political propulsion to create a breakthrough. Let us avail of the forthcoming FfD Review Conference in Doha to send a clear, succinct and strong message to WTO for an early and genuinely development oriented outcome of the Doha round.
  2. In conclusion, Pakistan calls upon all WTO member states to demonstrate the flexibility and political will required to break the current impasse in the Doha Round of trade negotiations and to work towards early resumption and timely completion of the Doha Round of trade negotiations.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.