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press releases
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Mike Moore's speeches
Renato Ruggiero's speeches,
1995-99
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The three day
meeting was organized by the WTO Secretariat, with the financial support of the
governments of Norway, Korea and the Czech Republic. Its main objective was to assist
Ministers from Least Developed Countries to better appreciate the WTO, its objectives and
functions, assessing the importance of a strengthened role in the multilateral trading
system as well as discussing the requirements and opportunities arising from the new
trading environment. Addressing the audience, Mr.
Renato Ruggiero emphasized three immediate priorities for the future :
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to assist Least Developed Countries in finding a stronger voice in the
WTO and using the system more, as developing countries already do;
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“to use new technologies to widen trade knowledge and expertise
and to help your policy makers and traders become more aware of opportunities in the
global system, and better equipped to seize them”. The development of new
technologies of information would also “open up new exciting possibilities for
tapping into the potential of the developing world's most precious asset - its
people”.
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to further develop collaboration between multilateral institutions in
programmes of technical assistance. The WTO and UNCTAD, with the International Trade
Center, have already taken some important steps in favour of Least Developed Countries.
“This kind of collaboration is a good start, but we need to work closely with all
other relevant organizations - whether in the United Nations system, the Bretton Woods
organizations, or the various regional bodies - to ensure that the resources and expertise
of the international community remain focused, coordinated and relevant to the most
pressing needs. More important, our collaboration has to be directed towards a larger goal
or vision”.
Mr. Rubens
Ricupero, Secretary General of UNCTAD, spoke on the participation of Least Developed
Countries (LLDCs) in the multilateral trading system and the promotion of equitable
development. Mr Ricupero urged common and coordinated efforts of all donors, including
international organizations and advanced developing countries.
“Bilateral
and multilateral support would be invaluable for programmes to reduce Developing
Countries' debt stock, improve physical infrastructure and social services necessary to
“crowd-in” private investment, strengthen technological capabilities and improve
local skills, increase market access for LLDCs, promote regional cooperation, and enhance
negotiating capacities of LLDCs to enable them to participate effectively in future trade
negotiations at the WTO as well as to articulate their development priorities and
safeguard their trading interests within the framework of the multilateral trading
system”.
The meeting
covered aspects relating to trade and development under the Uruguay Round Agreements and
scope for supportive policy formulation to assist Least Developed Countries to overcome
supply-side blockages and to make full use of trade opportunities available. Special
attention was given to multilateral technical cooperation that can be provided through the
WTO.
The meeting
also tried to assist and facilitate advance preparation to ensure effective participation
in the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Conference in Singapore in December 1996. Some of the
main issues that are included in its agenda were specifically addressed. The participation
of Ministers of Least Developed Countries in the Singapore Ministerial Conference (SMC) is
essential as WTO Members will take full stock of the operation of the multilateral trading
system, address issues regarding implementation and determine the future course of
activities in the WTO. The participation at the SMC by Ministers and accompanying senior
officials from WTO LLDC Members will be made possible through a special fund that has been
put together for this purpose from generous financial contributions committed by the
European Union, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Australia and Singapore. In
addition, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Germany) is providing financial assistance to
facilitate journalists coming from least developed and some other developing countries to
attend and report on the Ministerial Meeting.
The meeting
was opened by H.E. Mr. William Rossier, the Chairman of the General Council of the WTO. It
included keynote speeches by H.E. Mr. Alec Erwin, Minister for Trade and Industry of South
Africa, H.E. Mr. Tofael Ahmed, Minister for Commerce and Industry of Bangladesh, H.E. Mrs.
Kari Nordheim-Larsen, Minister for Development Cooperation of Norway, H.E. Mr Nacer
Benjelloun-Touimi, Chairman of the Committee on Trade and Development.
All speeches
are available in the WTO Secretariat. |
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