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This expert-based seminar is the first-ever major seminar to be held
on the subject of mainstreaming a trade integration agenda into
country development and poverty reductions strategies. It is also the
first joint activity to be hosted by the six core IF Agencies (ITC,
IMF, UNCTAD, UNDP, World Bank, and the WTO).
Although
the seminar focuses on least-developed countries (LDCs), the issues
raised extend well beyond LDCs to encompass developing and other
countries. The integration of trade priority areas of action with
country finance and development objectives is directly linked to
several core issues featuring in discussions amongst WTO Members,
including i) the implementation of WTO commitments and obligations as
well as the exercise of rights and use of opportunities; ii) the
efficient delivery of trade-related technical assistance within a
coherent and programmed inter-agency policy framework; and iii) the
development ends of trade reform and further multilateral trade
liberalization.
Trade
is one component of a policy framework for growth, poverty reduction
and development. Trade must be part of the equation, but it is only a
part of that framework. Sound macroeconomic policies, debt reduction,
capacity building and good governance are critical to any programme of
development and poverty reduction. These issues fall outside the WTO
mandate but are within the competence of other international
organizations including WTO partners in the integrated framework.
Governments and officials from these organizations believe a co-ordinated
programme of support from these agencies offers the world's poorest
countries the opportunity better address their development and poverty
reduction needs.
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