Special

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Special Differential Treatment and the
Doha Development Agenda
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Special Differential Treatment in the WTO

• Rationale for SD Asymmetry in economic power
• and unequal gains from the
• trading system
• Main Elements of SD in GATT / Uruguay Round
• Agreements
• Market Access ? Preferential Access Limited
  Reciprocity
• Flexibility of Rules ? UR limited this to
  longer transition periods
• Capacity Building ? best endeavour clauses

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Change in Objective Conditions

• Greater integration of some developing countries
• Increased membership of developing countries in
  the WTO
• More complex development challenges for many

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Developing Countries Call for More Effective SD

• Since Doha, Developing Countries have tabled 88
  proposals to strengthen SD provisions and make
  them more precise, effective and operational
• The proposals address provisions in almost all
  GATT/WTO Agreements calling for
• Deeper Market Access
• Increased flexibility and
• Enhanced Capacity Building

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Nature of Debate Before July 2004 Polarization
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Emerging Convergence Post-July

• Conceptual Approach ( framework )

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Emerging Convergence Post July 2004

• Address each Agreement - Specific proposal with
  following
• options
• redraft using above approach
• merge, withdraw or include in negotiations
• underlying issues address in cross-cutting
  clusters

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Emerging Convergence Post July

• Establish the following cross-cutting thematic
• groups
• A. (1) Flexibility and (2) Monitoring Mechanism
• B. (3) Capacity Building and (4) Coherence

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Emerging Platform to Advance Dialogue and
Negotiations for Successful Development Round
Develop proposals in Cross-cutting
thematic clusters
Address all Agreement Specific Proposals

• Conceptual
• Approach
• 1.
• 2.
• 3.
• 4.
• 5.

• Options
• Redraft
• Merge, Withdraw, negotiate, address in
• Cross-cutting clusters

• Flexibility and
• Monitoring Mechanism
• Capacity Building
• and Coherence

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Conclusions (1)

• Mainstream Development Dimension in WTO
• SD ? Development but essential component of
  Development Dimension
• Development Dimension of multi-lateral trading
  system has 4 elements
• Fair Trade
• Capacity Building
• Balanced Rules
• Good Governance

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Conclusions (2)

• Build on the Advances of the July 2004 GC
  Decision
• Market Access
• differentiated reduction commitments based on
  level of development - SP
• NAMA ? ?
• Balanced Rules
• differentiated implementation of disciplines
  based on level of development e.g. de minimis
  exemption for resource poor farmers
• Capacity Building
• Implementation obligation linked to capacity
  building requirements in Trade Facilitation