He called for movement particularly from officials from the 20 countries participating in the 14–15 November Washington summit on financial markets and the world economy.

Included in the leaders final statement was a commitment to “strive to reach agreement this year on modalities” in the Doha Round.

Ambassador Falconer said if the leaders believe that agreement is possible by the end of December, then their officials must have indicated to them that it will be possible to change positions and reach consensus.

Therefore, he urged, the time has come to reveal the shifts in position that countries are willing to make. Counting back from the conclusion of work for the year, that would require major shifts within a fortnight at the latest, Ambassador Falconer said.

Use this link to download the audio file or to listen to what he said in the meeting:

Audio: Chairperson Falconer’s opening statement

Audio: Chairperson Falconer’s closing comments

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Explanation

Two G-20s:

• The 15 November 2008 Washington summit was mainly about the financial crisis, but the concluding statement included a reference to the Doha Round. This G-20 were: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US, the EU (represented by France as President of the European Council, and the president of the European Commission). Also: the Netherlands (allowed extraordinary presence), Spain (allowed extraordinary presence), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Financial Stability Forum.

• The G-20 in the WTO agriculture negotiations: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Cuba, Egypt, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zimbabwe

“Lima” is a reference to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) officials, ministers and leaders meeting in Peru, 16–23 November 2008.

Explanations of the issues are available for the chairperson’s 11 August 2008 report and 10 July 2008 draft.

This meeting

This was an informal agriculture negotiations meeting of the full membership, officially an “Informal Open-Ended Special Session” of the Agriculture Committee.

The latest texts and a number of related issues can be found with explanations here, including what “the text” is and says, and a “jargon buster”.

The chairperson refers to “Room E” or “Room D” meetings. These are talks among a group of 37 representative delegations, also part of the “multilateral process”. They normally take place in Room E at the WTO headquarters, but sometimes in another room (eg, Room D). Ultimately, the current phase of the negotiations is about “modalities”, explained here.

Ambassador Falconer uses the term “walks in the woods” to describe consultations outside the WTO. He has explained that these involve about 15 delegations, the exact numbers depending on the subject.

He has also confirmed that he will be returning to New Zealand by the end of the year to take up a new appointment, as announced in August.