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International Trade and the Doha Round

Summary

Date: 7-11 July 2008

Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York

Background:
This seminar, organized by UNITAR in cooperation with the World Trade Organization, is designed to provide participants with an overview of the Doha Development Agenda, the status of the negotiations in the various areas and the contentious issues involved that have prevented the conclusion of the Round. It will also look beyond the WTO to discuss the interlinkages between trade and development, and the different dimensions of sustainable development more specifically.

Objectives


To equip participants to make substantive contributions to the work of their governments in the field of trade negotiations and trade policy through:

  • familiarizing them with the multilateral trading system, the institutional structure and decision-making process of WTO;
  • enhancing their knowledge of the Multilateral Agreements concluded during the Uruguay Round;
  • briefing them on the Doha Development Agenda, the main negotiating issues and the positions of the major players, including the United States, the European Communities, the G-20, the G-33 and the African Group; and
  • discussing possible scenarios for the future of the Doha Round.

Additional Information


Organization:
The seminar will be divided into two parts. The first of five days will be devoted to an introduction to the international trading system, WTO and the issues of the Doha Round. The subsequent full and half-day sessions will deliver more detailed information on these issues, focusing on: the negotiations on agriculture and non-agricultural market access (NAMA), trade in services (GATS), the participation of developing countries in the multilateral trading system (special and differential treatment, implementation issues, Aid for Trade), the TRIPS and TRIMs Agreement, WTO rules relating to regional trade agreements, anti-dumping, and dispute settlement within the WTO, and the interlinkages to trade and sustainable development issues, including environmental aspects, climate change, and employment. 

Participants:
The seminar is intended for members of permanent missions in New York who are involved or interested in trade-related issues, in particular those following the work of the Second and Sixth Committees of the General Assembly. A few candidates from other entities within the United Nations and the private sector may be admitted.

Dates and Venue:
The seminar will be held on Monday, 7 July 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Conference Room 9, United Nations Headquarters; Tuesday, 8 July 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., Conference Room 9 ; Wednesday, 9 July, and Thursday, 10 July, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Conference Room 9 respectively, and Friday, 11 July 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Conference room A.

Language: English

Contact: David Koschel


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