The Two-Thirds Minority

Developing Countries in the WTO

International Conference by GERMANWATCH
Bonn, 30-31 October 2000

Time: Monday 30th October 2000, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (reception) and Tuesday 31st October 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (lunch)
Venue: CJD Gästehaus, Graurheindorfer Str. 149 53117 Bonn
Organisation: GERMANWATCH, Phone/Fax ++49-228-60492-13/ -19
Fees: DM 30,- / day incl. lunch or DM 150,- full board and lodging
Provisional programme

Lack of internal transparency and hurdles for the participation of Developing Countries are re-garded as two of the factors responsible for the failure of the 1999 WTO- Ministerial Conference in Seattle. In informal „Green Room“-meetings important strategic decisions are made by only 15-25 WTO members, usually excluding devel-oping country representatives.

Following wide public criticism, several proposals for the improvement of internal transparency and participation within the WTO have been made, especially by developing countries. In mid-July 2000 the General Council chairman, Kåre Bryn, has presented a highly controversial paper on the subject.

Equally controversial is the overall treatment of developing Countries (LDCs) in the multilateral trading system, as they differ considerably from industrialised Countries. In recognition of that fact, the concept of Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) has been developed. Recently some proposals for SDT have been presented especially by Developing Countries.

One year after Seattle, the Conference “The Two-thirds Minority – Developing Countries in the WTO” will present some of these views and proposals especially from Developing Coun-try representatives and open them to discussion by WTO representatives, European government officials and NGO representatives.

Both parts of the Conference are interlinked but can as well be attended separately.

This Conference is co-financed by the EU Commission DG Development.

zuletzt geändert am 28 Oct 2000