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2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002

DFID

Supporting LDCs to Effectively Negotiate the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and Implement the WTO Trade Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)

The Department for International Development of UK (DFID) has provided £400,000 for 2009 – 2010, to AITIC to Support LDCs (and Developing Countries that do not have Missions in Geneva) to Effectively Negotiate the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and Implement the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) AITIC organised four seminars financed by the contributions of DFID in 2009 listed below. Four workshops for 2010 are being finalised:

• The Gambia: 23 and 24 September 2009 – National Workshop on “The SPS Agreement and Notification Training”;
• Togo: 1 and 2 October 2009 – National Workshop on “The SPS Agreement and Notification Training”;
• Zambia: 27 to 29 October 2009 – Regional Workshop on “Trade Facilitation Negotiations in the context of the North-South Corridor” with representative from Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe as well as UNCTAD and COMESA;
• Cambodia: 10 and 11 November 2009 – Regional Workshop on “Trade Facilitation Negotiations for Asian LDC Members and Observers of the WTO” with representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Nepal as well as international experts and resource persons from international organisations, civil society and the private sector.

ILI

Do developing country safeguards fly below the WTO radar?

Within the WTO Public Forum 2009 – “Global Problems, Global Solutions: Towards Better Global Governance”, the AITIC-ILI Session took place on Wednesday 30 September 2009 in the Centre William Rappard.

Safeguards, or import restrictions, imposed by developing countries are often applied in such a way that only products from other developing countries are affected. These countries are unlikely to have the resources to challenge such safeguard actions at the WTO, with the result that neither GATT Article XIX nor the Safeguards Agreement are effective in imposing discipline on the use of such measures.

Speakers included Mr Gamal Faisal Abdel Rashid (Egypt); Mr Mathias Francke (Chile); Mr Pablo Klein (Mexico); Mr Krishna Gupta (India); Mr Serdar Baskin (Turkey), as well as the President of the ILI and AITIC’s Executive Director. They addressed, among other issues, whether the Safeguards Agreement should have more accessible procedures to scrutinise the WTO consistency of developing country safeguards primarily affecting other developing countries.

ITTC (WTO)

Exchange of Letters between AITIC and the WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC)

AITIC and the WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) have, through an exchange of letters in June 2009, agreed to work in close cooperation to respond to the trade-related technical assistance needs of developing countries.

Both organisations will meet regularly to identify and implement joint training and capacity-building activities for the beneficiary countries. These activities will aim to provide a better understanding of WTO subjects in general and those being negotiated within the Doha Work Programme as well as their impact on the respective economies. Thereby the countries could also work on their poverty reduction strategies.

Priority will be given to the organisation of activities for least-developed countries (LDCs) and countries without permanent residence in Geneva.

TaiwanICDF

Seminar in Saint Lucia on Trade-Related Assistance in the Caribbean Region

With the mutual objective to promote cooperation in favour of the less-advantaged countries (LACs), the Agency for International Trade Information and Cooperation (AITIC) and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) jointly organised a seminar on “Trade-Related Assistance in the Caribbean Region” from 15 to 17 June 2009, in Saint Lucia.

The seminar aimed to take stock of national and regional experiences in the Caribbean countries in the areas of trade in services, namely tourism, gender and trade, trade facilitation and needs assessments for Aid for Trade activities. International Support Mechanisms for trade-related development assistance by international financial institutions such as the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) and the World Bank (WB), and development assistance agencies such as AITIC and TaiwanICDF were also the focus of discussions.

Inter-Parliamentary Union / European Parliament

AITIC takes part in the Annual Session 2008 of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO

On 11 and 12 September 2008, AITIC took part in the Annual Session 2008 of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO, jointly organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the European Parliament.

At a time when the future of the Doha Round remains uncertain, the parliamentarians at the session had the opportunity to question key WTO negotiators on important issues, receive information on recent developments in the WTO talks and exchange views on possible ways forward.

AITIC took part in an interactive panel discussion on the theme “Defusing the threat of conflicts over food and energy through trade”, which focused on economic and political consequences of food shortages and soaring energy prices and the role of international trade in adjusting supply and demand.

ITC

AITIC and ITC National Seminar on Trade Facilitation

As part of its trade-related capacity building activities, AITIC, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), held a National Seminar on Trade Facilitation: Multilateral Negotiations and Free-Trade Agreements in Mexico City, Mexico, on 7-8 May 2008.

The seminar discussed trade facilitation experiences in Latin America, considered the progress made in the related WTO negotiations and the relevance of free trade agreements. It provided a forum for government officials and representatives of other organisations to share their experiences in this area.

Various experts presented their views and experience on trade facilitation. The seminar was made up of three sessions which focused first on the current trade facilitation negotiations before considering experiences of implementation of trade facilitation measures at national and then at regional level. The private sector of Mexico participated in the seminar and contributed to the discussions.

OAPI

AITIC and OAPI sign a Cooperation Agreement

AITIC and the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) have signed a Cooperation Agreement. The ceremony took place on 16 June 2008 on the AITIC premises in the presence of Dr Paulin Edou Edou, Director General of OAPI, and Dr Esperanza Durán, Executive Director of AITIC.

The Agreement formalises the relations between the two institutions and aims to increase their collaboration to strengthen trade-related capacities and to promote the protection of intellectual property rights in Africa as a development factor.

Several joint projects are already under review. In addition, AITIC is invited to take part in the International Conference on Intellectual Property and the Economic and Social Development of OAPI Member States due to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from 4 to 6 November 2008.

AITIC takes part in the International Conference on Intellectual Property

Upon the invitation of the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI), AITIC took part in the International Conference on Intellectual Property and the Economic and Social Development of the OAPI Member States, jointly organised by OAPI and the Government of the Republic of Senegal, from 4 to 6 November 2008in Dakar, Senegal.

Bringing together African and foreign senior officials in charge of intellectual property issues, financial institutions and development partners, the meeting addressed development issues in Africa, and in particular in the OAPI member countries, and discussed possible solutions an optimal management of intellectual property could bring.

In addition to a presentation on the main theme of the Conference, AITIC participated in the Workshop on “Extension, dissemination of technical information, IT reform, electronic filing of IPs, etc.”. The outcome of the Conference was the adoption of the Dakar Declaration.

OECD

AITIC Workshop on the Aid for Trade Questionnaire

AITIC organised in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) a workshop on the “Aid for Trade Self-Assessment Questionnaire: Challenges for Developing Countries”. The event took place on Monday 7 April 2008 from 15:00 to 18:00 in the Centre de Conférences de Varembé, Geneva.

The aim of the workshop was to raise the awareness of the importance of the self-assessment process for the success of the Aid for Trade initiative. This event provided the participants, and in particular the LDC delegates, with an opportunity to discuss the challenges they face in replying to the OECD evaluation questionnaires.

In May 2007, AITIC developed a webpage dedicated to Aid for Trade which contains updated information on Aid for Trade developments.

AITIC-OECD Informal Roundtable Discussion on the Aid for Trade Questionnaire

Further to the consultations it held earlier in the year with representatives of the countries who benefit from the Aid for Trade (AFT) initiative (the so-called “Partner Countries”) AITIC organised, in collaboration with the OECD, an Informal Roundtable Discussion on the AFT questionnaire on Friday 26 September 2008 at the Centre de conférences de Varembé.

The AFT questionnaire has been revised over the summer to take into account the comments and recommendations of Partner Countries’ delegates. The aim of the meeting was to review and validate the revised AFT questionnaire that will be circulated soon by the OECD. The questionnaire is the main instrument designed for the assessment of the AFT initiative. In preparation for the second Global AFT Review scheduled mid-2009, the 2009 assessment and monitoring process will be officially launched at the meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) of the WTO on 13 October 2008.

The roundtable enabled discussants to share their views and suggest improvements to the draft questionnaire thereby ensuring full ownership of the AFT monitoring mechanism by less-advantaged countries.

OIF

AITIC takes part in a Regional Seminar in Bujumbura

In the context of its partnership with the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), AITIC took part in the regional seminar organised for the members of the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (Burundi, Republic of Congo and Rwanda) from 29 to 31 July 2008 in Bujumbura, Burundi.

The meeting aimed to inform participants – members of parliament, government officials and civil society representatives – on the state of play of the Doha negotiations and the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) negotiations, since the meeting that took place in Kigali (Rwanda) in October 2007 on the same issues.

In addition to its contribution to the discussions, AITIC also provided clarification on the status of the Aid for Trade initiative and Enhanced Integrated Framework.

SELA

AITIC takes part in the XIX Meeting of International Cooperation Directors for Latin America and the Caribbean

On 9 and 10 December 2008, AITIC took part in the XIX Meeting of International Cooperation Directors for Latin America and the Caribbean in Mexico City. Organised by the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) and the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE), the meeting focused on “International Cooperation for Trade Facilitation in Latin America and the Caribbean”.

The meeting aimed to review experiences on trade facilitation in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the state of play of the relevant multilateral negotiations and identify and assess programmes, projects and funding from development agencies and regional and international organisations. AITIC was invited to participate in the meeting to deliver a presentation on “International Cooperation for Trade Facilitation in Latin America and the Caribbean: Towards a Regional Programme”.

The International Cooperation Directors from the SELA member states, representatives from bilateral and multilateral development agencies and regional and international organizations as well as specialists and academics took part in the meeting.

TaiwanICDF

Regional Seminar AITIC / ICDF in Guatemala

As part of its technical assistance programme in favour of the less-advantaged countries, AITIC, in collaboration with the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF – Chinese Taipei) and the Ministry of Economy of Guatemala, organised a Regional Seminar on “Trade Facilitation in Central America” which took place in Guatemala City (Guatemala) from 28 to 30 April 2008.

The seminar aimed to encourage trade facilitation initiatives at a regional level and provided a forum for national representatives to share their experiences in this area.

Speakers discussed the state of play of negotiations on trade facilitation in the WTO and the position of the countries of Central America in these negotiations, progress in trade facilitation at a regional level and future challenges, national experiences in term of needs assessment as well as the implementation of trade facilitation measures both at national and regional level.

AITIC and ICDF sign a Memorandum of Understanding

On 30 April 2008, AITIC and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF – Chinese Taipei) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Guatemala City during a joint seminar on “Trade Facilitation in Central America” (28-30 April 2008).

The MOU formalises the cooperation between ICDF and AITIC. Inter alia, they agreed to share their experience in the field of trade for the developing and least-developed countries (LDCs), and to organise regional workshops to respond to the needs of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and Asia to build their capacity on trade related issues and to lead a more effective trade diplomacy.

In this context, ICDF has invited AITIC to make a presentation at the ICDF workshop on trade facilitation scheduled in Taipei from 13 to 26 August 2008.

Working Session ICDF – AITIC

On 25 July 2008, Dr. Pai Po Lee Deputy Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF), and Ms Cathy H.T. Wang, visited AITIC.

AITIC and ICDF are jointly organising a seminar on Aid for Trade to be held on 20 August 2008 in Taipei. The seminar will address the three main guiding principles of Aid for Trade: Harmonisation, Public Private Partnerships and Ownership.

In April 2008, AITIC and ICDF signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise their cooperation and to share their experience on trade-related technical assistance in favour of developing and least-developed countries.

Aid for Trade Seminar TaiwanICDF–AITIC

The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) and AITIC jointly organised a Seminar on Aid for Trade which took place on Wednesday 20 August 2008 in Taipei, Chinese Taipei.

The seminar was opened by HE Mr Francisco H. L. Ou, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and addressed three of the main guiding principles of Aid for Trade identified in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness: harmonisation, public private partnerships and ownership.

This activity took place in the context of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between AITIC and TaiwanICDF last April to formalise their cooperation in favour of the less-advantaged countries. It followed the regional workshop on Trade Facilitation held in Guatemala for Central American countries earlier this year.

UN-OHRLLS

AITIC and UN-OHRLLS High-Level Ministerial Meeting in Accra, Ghana

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is holding its 12th Session in Accra, Ghana, from 20-25 April 2008. As a pre-Conference event, the AITIC Secretariat and the United Nations Office of High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) co-organised a High-Level Meeting on “Trade Facilitation and Aid for Trade: Keys for Unlocking the Landlocked”. The event took place on 19 April 2008 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

With no easy access to world markets, due to constraints such as inadequate infrastructure and geographical situation, the landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) face a number of constraints in their participation in the multilateral trading system. The High-Level Meeting sought to examine the role that Aid for Trade and the WTO negotiations on Trade Facilitation can play in bridging the infrastructure deficit in the LLDCs. This forum was also be an opportunity to take stock of progress made as well as moving forward the Almaty Programme of Action, whose mid-term review is due this autumn.

HE Cheick Sidi Diarra, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of UN-OHRLLS co-chaired the High-Level Meeting with AITIC and a number of Trade Ministers from LLDCs attended.

UNIDO

AITIC and UNIDO sign a Relationship Agreement in Accra, Ghana

AITIC and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) concluded a relationship agreement, which formalises the cooperation between the two organisations on matters of mutual interest.

The signature ceremony took place on Friday 25th April 2008 in Accra, Ghana, during the 12th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XII).

Through their cooperation, AITIC and UNIDO intend to exploit their respective strengths in order to offer trade-related assistance to less-advantaged countries. AITIC and UNIDO look forward to working together at the service of their members.

AITIC participated in UNIDO Workshop on Aid for Trade and the Integrated Framework in LDCs

On 8-9 September 2008, AITIC took part in a Workshop on Aid for Trade and the Integrated Framework in LDCs, organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Kigali, Rwanda, as a follow-up to the Vienna Ministerial Declaration adopted by LDCs on 30 November 2007.

The workshop assisted in the preparation for the LDCs Ministerial Conference of 19-20 November 2008 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Discussions were based on a Concept Paper on “AFT: An Industrial Agenda for LDCs” recently issued by UNIDO and WTO. The workshop focused in particular on the pilot EIF programmes prepared by UNIDO for eight countries: Benin, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal and Yemen.

WTO

AITIC Session during the WTO Public Forum 2008

In the context of the WTO Public Forum 2008 – “Trading into the Future” – AITIC held a Session on “A GSP for Services: An Essential Tool or a Gimmick?”. The session took place on Thursday 25 September 2008, in the Centre William Rappard.

The Session aimed to explore how to provide special and differential treatment to developing countries, in particular LDCs, in trade in services. In this regard, AITIC invited representatives from a preference-granting country, an LDC and the private sector to discuss possible solutions that negotiators may wish to consider to advance their work on special and differential treatment in services. A general discussion with the floor followed the presentations of the three speakers.

The Session was attended by officials from governments, non-governmental organisations, academia and the private sector.

WTO / OIF

Cooperation between AITIC, WTO and OIF in Central Africa

Together with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), AITIC took part in the Sub-Regional Trade Policy Course in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) from 10 to 13 June 2008. The course was organised by the WTO and the OIF for the French-speaking African member countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

The course brought together 45 participants from countries of the sub-region (Burundi, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tomé and Principe), ECCAS and CEMAC.

After a reminder of the basic principles of the multilateral trade system, the course provided an update on the state of play of the WTO negotiations as well as the EPA negotiations between the European Union and the Central African region. AITIC contributed to answer the participants’ questions on a variety of subjects and made presentations on the Enhanced Integrated Framework, Aid for Trade and the negotiations on trade in services.

The Sub-Regional Course was very successful amongst participants. They appreciated the quality of the information and analyses that were presented to them as well as the excellent cooperation between the WTO, OIF and AITIC on this occasion.

AITIC takes part in the Sub-regional Trade Policy Course in Guinea Bissau

From 24 to 27 June 2008, AITIC took part in the Sub-Regional Trade Policy Course in Bissau, Guinea Bissau, jointly organised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) for the member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

As well as representatives from the country hosting the event, the course brought together 31 participants from the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger Senegal and Togo.

The course focused mainly on the WTO negotiations and the EPA negotiations between West Africa and the European Union (EU) and provided a reminder of some of the basic principles of the multilateral trade system. In addition to its contribution to the discussions, AITIC made presentations on Aid for Trade, the Enhanced Integrated Framework and the negotiations on trade facilitation.

ILI

Flash Meeting: Moving Forward the WTO Rules Negotiations

AITIC held a Flash Meeting on “Moving Forward the WTO Rules Negotiations” on Friday 6 July 2007, from 10.00-13.00 at the Centre de Conférences de Varembé in Geneva. The meeting was organised in cooperation with the International Law Institute (ILI), as part of AITIC’s Programme on technical assistance and capacity building on WTO issues and the Doha negotiations. The purpose of the session was to discuss with WTO members and observers progress achieved so far in the Negotiating Group on Rules on disciplining subsidies and on antidumping measures.

Ambassador Guillermo Valles Galmés (Uruguay), Chairman of the Negotiating Group on Rules, presented positions taken by WTO members and key challenges in taking a balanced approach to subsidies in general, and fisheries subsidies in particular. This was followed by a presentation on antidumping by Mr Charles Verrill, President of ILI, as well as a discussion with the floor.

ITC

AITIC participation in the World Export Development Forum

AITIC contributed to the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) that the International Trade Centre (ITC) held from 8 to 11 October 2007 in Montreux, Switzerland. This Forum enabled senior public-sector decision makers and business leaders to debate "best practice" in national export strategy design and management.

AITIC financed the participation of five developing country delegations. AITIC Executive Director addressed the Session Attracting Buyers and Fencing in Investors – The Business Environment Imperatives. This Session focused on the requirements imposed by the business environment as well as the need to build sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships between buyers and investors.

ITC / Cambodia

National Workshop on Trade Policy Opportunities and Development Challenges

In cooperation with Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), AITIC organised a National Workshop on “Trade Policy Opportunities and Development Challenges”. It took place on 10 and 11 July 2007 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Thematic sessions addressed trade and development policy issues specific to Cambodia. The workshop explored ways forward for Cambodia in using trade as an engine of economic growth and development. It examined implications of the Doha Round trade negotiations at the WTO and the ongoing work on Aid for Trade. Roundtable sessions fostered stakeholder exchanges on issues related to trade facilitation and the implementation of the Enhanced Integrated Framework in Cambodia.

ITC / Lao People's Democratic Republic

Capacity Building Workshop on Trade Policy Opportunities and Development Challenges

AITIC and the International Trade Centre (ITC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), held a Capacity-Building Workshop on “Trade Policy Opportunities and Development Challenges”, which took place on 17 and 18 July 2007, in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The aim of this two-day meeting was to update participants on the current state of play of Lao PDR’s accession to the WTO and to consider the way forward. Other thematic sessions focused on the Aid for Trade and the Enhanced Integrated Framework initiatives with a view to identifying Laos’ priority needs and follow-up actions required.

OAPI

Working Session between AITIC and OAPI

On 26 September 2007, Mr Paulin Edou Edou, Director General, and Mr Maurice Batanga, Head of the Service of Legal Affairs and Cooperation, of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), visited AITIC.

The meeting paved the way for future institutional collaboration between OAPI and AITIC so that intellectual property rights’ protection be increasingly used to support development and trade-related capacity building in Africa. Almost all of the members of OAPI are least-developed countries (LDCs), a prime target of AITIC, of which many of them are also Participating Members.

UN-OHRLLS

Forum to debrief LLDCs delegations on the state of play of the WTO Doha negotiations

AITIC and the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and the Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) jointly organised a Forum to debrief LLDCs delegations on the state of play of the WTO Doha negotiations. The meeting took place on Thursday 11 October 2007 at the United Nations in New York.

This Forum followed the successful conclusion of the UNCTAD Thematic Meeting on International Trade and Trade Facilitation which was held in August 2007 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and allowed for a fruitful exchange of views on the Doha negotiations among LLDCs delegations at a time when crucial developments appear to be taking place. Geneva-based LLDCs representatives participated in the meeting, in preparation for UNCTAD XII, to be held in April 2008 in Accra, Ghana.

UNIDO

AITIC took part in the LDC Ministerial Conference

On 29 and 30 November 2007, AITIC took part in the Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) Ministerial Conference Meeting, organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in Vienna, Austria.

The meeting included various sessions on specific issues such as the role of Aid for Trade in the transformation of LDCs; the integration of LDCs into the global economy and the role of duty-free-quota-free market access; capacity building for economic transformation; and South-South cooperation and the cotton issue. Some of these issues were taken up again during AITIC’s Flash Meeting on 14 December 2007.

The conference was followed by the twelfth session of the General Conference of UNIDO from 3 to 7 December 2007.

AITIC recently concluded a relationship agreement with UNIDO, formalising the cooperation between the two organisations on matters of mutual interest. This cooperation aims to greater effectiveness in the provision of technical assistance to LDCs.

WTO

2007 WTO Public Forum

In the context of the 2007 WTO Public Forum (4-5 October 2007), AITIC held a session on The Trade Dimension of Globalisation: Multilateral (WTO) or Regional (RTAs)?, on Friday 5 October 2007, in the Centre William Rappard.

The role of the WTO is the creation of a more participatory and all-inclusive trading system which would enhance economic opportunities and provide the means for all to share these benefits. However, given the recent proliferation of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), in particular between developed and developing countries, it would seem that it is them and not the WTO that are being the conduits for globalisation. Issues that developing countries rejected for negotiation in the WTO, such as investment or competition policy, regularly feature in north-south bilateral trade arrangements. The AITIC Session endeavoured to contribute constructively towards strengthening the role of the WTO at the centre of the multilateral trading system.

On AITIC’s invitation, Dr Craig VanGrasstek, an independent consultant with vast experience in trade and development and Prof. Arvind Panagariya, a representative from the academia, provided their personal views on the subject and set the scene for a lively discussion with the floor.

WTO / ITC / ICPE

AITIC contributes to the Symposium on Emerging Multilateral Trading System and the WTO

AITIC, together with the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Trade Center (ITC), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia and the International Center for Promotion of Enterprises (ICPE), held a one-week Symposium on Emerging Multilateral Trading System and the WTO in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 15 to 19 October 2007.

The Symposium aimed to give policy makers and business community representatives engaged in international trade a clear understanding of the evolving trade environment. AITIC’s Executive Director gave presentations on Aid for Trade, the dispute settlement as well as on the present state of play in the Doha negotiations, particularly NAMA.

ICPE’s mandate is to promote and support enterprise development in the developing and transitional economies with the view of fostering their economic development in the regional and global context. Earlier this year, AITIC developed an initiative to enable the transfer of skills between the private sectors of both developing and developed countries. For more information on this programme, please click here.

Commonwealth Secretariat / ACP Group Secretariat

Briefing Session on Trade Facilitation

A Briefing Session on Trade Facilitation, jointly organised by AITIC, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Geneva Office of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) took place on 21 July 2006 in the Centre William Rappard.

iDEAS Centre

Cotton Negotiations, State of Play Post Hong Kong and Future Prospects

AITIC organised a briefing session on “Cotton Negotiations, State of Play Post Hong Kong and Future Prospects” in collaboration with iDEAS Centre, on Tuesday 21 February 2006, at 15.00 in Room B, of the Centre William Rappard. The meeting was organised to facilitate the interaction of capital-based officials from the Cotton Initiative countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) with representatives of other African cotton-producing LDCs as well as with the relevant development partners from both bilateral and multilateral organisations. Participants discussed some of the latest developments on the cotton issue in the wake of the recent WTO Ministerial Conference and examined the issue of the development aspects which form part of the demands of the cotton-producing countries. Mr Nilo Dytz, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Brazil in Geneva, gave a summary of the present situation of the cotton dispute between Brazil and the US, and highlighted some of the most relevant findings of the Dispute Settlement Panel and the Appellate Body of the WTO. Ms Krista Lucenti, from the World Bank informed participants on the World Bank’s perspective on the cotton issue. The briefing session was part of AITIC’s Programme of continued assistance to the LDCs and the Non-Residents.

ILI

Memorandum of Understanding AITIC / ILI

As part of its Programme of Collaboration with Other Institutions, AITIC signed on 13 March 2006 a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Law Institute (ILI), a private, not-for-profit organisation based in Washington D.C., that conducts scholarly research, publishing, and practical legal training and technical assistance on many aspects of international legal and economic policy and practice.

Cooperation between AITIC and the ILI seeks to strengthen their respective activities in terms of technical assistance in favour of developing countries on international trade issues with a view of improving their participation in the ongoing multilateral negotiations and their understanding of the various WTO Agreements.

WIPO

Observer Status at the IGC of the WIPO

AITIC was granted observer status at the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) at its Ninth Session held on 24-28 April 2006. AITIC’s Executive Director, Dr Esperanza Durán stated that the observer status in the IGC would facilitate the coordination and cooperation between the two institutions with respect to activities geared towards the less-advantaged countries on intellectual property issues.

WTO

2006 WTO Public Forum

Within the framework of the WTO Public Forum, AITIC organised a session on “Beyond Doha: In Search of the Multilateral Trading System” on 26 September 2006 from 10.00-11.30 in Room E, Centre William Rappard. HE Ms Rosalie Koudougueret, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises, of the Central African Republic, HE Mr Carlo Trojan, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the European Commission to the WTO and Mr Constantine Michalopoulos, Consultant, presented their views on the current and future challenges developing countries are facing in the multilateral trading system.

ABPEG

Workshop on: The Small and Vulnerable Economies in the WTO and the Doha Work Programme

On the occasion of the WTO Public Symposium (20-22 April 2005), AITIC organised on 21 April 2005, jointly with the Bolivian Association for the Political Economy of Globalisation (ABEPG), a workshop on: The Small and Vulnerable Economies in the WTO and the Doha Work Programme. This workshop aimed to identify the main characteristics and the common difficulties of small economies and to analyse the progress achieved by those countries in the context of the Doha Work Programme. The workshop provided the opportunity to establish a dialogue among those interested in the issue of small economies in the WTO and gave an NGO from a Small Economy, i.e. from Bolivia, the possibility to express its views, to share its views and proposals on the issue with delegates and representatives of other NGOs. It also gave ABEPG the chance to hear the observations of delegates involved in the negotiations in Geneva that will be transmitted to the concerned members of the Bolivian civil society.

IPU

Statut d’observateur auprès de la Conférence parlementaire sur l’OMC

L’ACICI a obtenu le statut d’observateur auprès de la Conférence parlementaire sur l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC), lors de sa session annuelle tenue le 15 décembre 2005, dans le cadre de la sixième Conférence ministérielle de l’OMC à Hong Kong, Chine.

La Conférence parlementaire sur l'OMC est une initiative conjointe de l'Union interparlementaire (UIP) et du Parlement européen. L'objectif principal de la Conférence est de rendre l'OMC plus transparente vis-à-vis de l'extérieur et de faire en sorte que cette organisation intergouvernementale rende compte de son action aux élus, en d’autres termes, aux législateurs.

Les débats de cette session ont porté sur la contribution du commerce à la réalisation des Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement, le Programme de Doha pour le développement, la cohérence entre la politique commerciale et d'autres défis de la politique publique, ainsi que sur des exemples de bonnes pratiques du contrôle parlementaire en matière de commerce.

ITC / Benin

Seminar on Multilateral Trade Issues under Negotiation at the WTO, Market Access and the Promotion of Exports

At the request of the Government of the Republic of Benin, AITIC organised a seminar on “Multilateral Trade Issues under Negotiation at the WTO, Market Access and the Promotion of Exports” in Cotonou from 3-6 October 2005. The seminar was inaugurated by Mrs Massiyatou Latoundji Lauriano, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment Promotion. The objective of the seminar was to review the “July 2004 package”, particularly in terms of agriculture, non-agricultural market access (NAMA), services and trade facilitation. The International Trade Centre (ITC) took an active part in the meeting and gave presentations on market access search tools such as “MacMap” and “TradeMap”. The meeting also aimed at providing assistance to Trade Officials from Benin in the preparation of the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in December 2005 in Hong Kong, China. Besides government officials, representatives from the civil society and the private sector as well as members of the media and academics participated.

ITC / WTO / UNESCAP

A Business-Government Forum in Hong Kong, China

AITIC and the International Trade Centre (ITC), in close cooperation with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), organised a two-day side event at Hong Kong: “Fostering Trade through Private-Public Dialogue” on 11-12 December 2005 i.e. two days before the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference began. This joint initiative aimed at increasing the common understanding of WTO negotiations and provided a forum for the business community and the negotiators from less-advantaged countries to jointly define their priorities. The key areas addressed during the event were: State of Play of WTO Negotiations; Mainstreaming Business into WTO Negotiations; the Agricultural Negotiations; Trade Facilitation; NAMA Negotiations; GATS Negotiations; WTO and the Parliamentary Process; and Regional and Bilateral Trade Negotiations. Besides government officials, parliamentarians, representatives from the civil society, business community, the private sector as well as members of the media and academics actively participated in the event. The event was held at the Regal Hong Kong Hotel, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.

UNECE

Workshop on Trade Facilitation A Tool for Development

During the WTO Public Symposium, a workshop on Trade Facilitation a Tool for Development was organised by AITIC and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), on 21 April 2005. Trade facilitation, the only one of the four Singapore issues on which negotiations are proceeding, has been widely recognised as a potentially powerful instrument to assist the less-advantaged countries—in particular the landlocked developing countries, least-developed countries and low-income transition economies—to have a more efficient customs clearance, to improve national competitiveness as well as to increase public revenues. AITIC’s personalised and targeted approach to trade-related technical assistance, together with the UNECE’s vast experience on the technical aspects of cross-border movement of goods and services, made this workshop particularly useful. It was aimed at giving a bird’s-eye view on the various issues involved in trade facilitation, especially from the perspective of landlocked countries and countries with economies in transition.

Launching of the Russian-language version of AITIC’s Glossary<

In collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), AITIC hosted a seminar at the Palais des Nations on 7 April 2005 to mark the launching of the Russian-language version of AITIC’s Glossary of Commonly Used International Trade Terminology with Particular Reference to the WTO. Prepared at the request of several economies in transition, the Glossary aims to provide a better understanding of the WTO language and terminology to Russian-speaking trade officials of economies in transition and to serve as a reference for the private sector and academia following the WTO negotiations. The seminar under the theme Economies in Transition and the WTO discussed the challenges facing economies in transition in the multilateral trading system.

AusAid

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid), fully aware of trade needs of small island States, in particular those of the Pacific region, made a grant of A$ 500.000 to AITIC in August 2002 and a similar amount in June 2003. These grants enabled AITIC to organise seminars aimed at enhancing the representation of these countries within the WTO. AITIC organised three seminars each in 2003 and 2004, financed by the contributions of AusAid:

• Tonga: national seminar from 19 to 21 July 2004 (“Trade-Related Capacity Building for Tonga: National Seminar on WTO Issues”);
• Rarotonga, Cook Islands: regional seminar from 14 to 16 July 2004 (“Trade-Related Capacity-Building for Small Pacific States: International Trade and WTO Issues”);
• Papua New Guinea: national seminar from 8 to 10 July 2004 (“Trade-Related Capacity Building for Papua New Guinea: National Seminar on WTO issues”).

Commonwealth Secretariat / ACP Group Secretariat

Workshop on the WTO Decision on Access to Medicines at Affordable Prices by Countries with Insufficient or No Manufacturing Capacities for Pharmaceutical Products

A workshop on the WTO Decision on Access to Medicines at Affordable Prices by Countries with Insufficient or No Manufacturing Capacities for Pharmaceutical Products was jointly organized by the Commonwealth and ACP Group Secretariats and AITIC from 12 to 14 October 2004. The purpose of the workshop was to assess the legislative and institutional framework that could be adopted by certain countries to benefit from and comply with the WTO TRIPS Council Decision of 30 August 2003.   The workshop consisted of a two-day experts’ meeting held in the Palais des Nations. This was followed by the discussion at WTO headquarters of the conclusions of the experts’ meeting by the ambassadors and representatives of the countries concerned (including those of some developed countries).

UNECE / Bosnia and Herzegovina

Seminar on Globalisation, Trade Facilitation and WTO Accession

AITIC has organized a seminar on globalisation, trade facilitation and WTO accession in Sarajevo, on 3-4 June 2004 in collaboration with the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

AusAid

As in 2004, the AusAid funding enabled AITIC to carry out the following activities.

• Brisbane, Australia: regional seminar from 9 to 11 December 2003 (“Trade-Related Capacity-Building for Small Pacific States: The Doha Development Program Negotiations – Review and the Way Ahead”);
• Port-Vila, Vanuatu: national seminar from 3 to 5 December 2003 (“Trade-Related Capacity-Building for Vanuatu: National Seminar on Accession to the WTO”);
• Suva, Fiji: national seminar from 14 to 16 May 2003 (“Trade-Related Capacity-Building for Small Pacific States: Agriculture, Services and Implementation”).

UNCTAD

Seminar on Anti-dumping Rules

AITIC and UNCTAD co-organised a seminar on 28 February and 1 March 2002, covering anti-dumping rules and their implementation, disputes that have arisen in the WTO and practical exercises on dumping margin calculation.

Brainstorming Session on Trade and Environment

As part of its collaboration with UNCTAD, AITIC organised a brainstorming session on trade and the environment, on 25 February 2002. The purpose of this first meeting was to open up a dialogue amongst the delegates who attended, on questions of particular importance to less-advantaged countries in this area. The next session will be held in three months' time.

Memorandum of Understanding

On 6 February 2002, AITIC has formalised its collaboration with UNCTAD and the Intergovernmental Agency of the Francophonie (IAF). A Memorandum of Understanding was concluded with UNCTAD in order to strengthen the trade-related negotiating capacity of developing countries, economies in transition and in particular the least-developed countries (LDCs), including those countries not represented in Geneva. A Protocol was also signed with the IAF, under which it will finance a position for a francophone trade expert, intended to assist non-resident LDCs as well as to take part in some of AITIC's translation activities. (UNCTAD press release).