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Janneh, Lamy urge resolution of Doha Round impasse

January 17 2007, Addis Ababa

United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Abdoulie Janneh, met with the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Mr. Pascal Lamy, at ECA headquarters in Addis Ababa on 16 January 2007. The discussions of the two Chief Executives focused on the stalled Doha Trade Negotiations; the need to enhance cooperation and collaboration in providing and delivering trade-related technical assistance to African countries; and the role the Economic Commission for Africa can play in the Aid for Trade Initiative. The meeting took place as the African trade ministers held an extraordinary session in Addis Ababa to agree on a common position on the future of the WTO Doha Round negotiations.

During their discussions, the ECA Executive Secretary and the WTO Director General agreed on the importance of African countries sending a clear message to major players in the WTO and the international community concerning the need to breathe new life into the stalled Doha Trade Negotiations and for the successful conclusion of this Round as it could have a significant bearing on future development of Africa.

They both agreed that despite numerous pronouncements of good will and intentions by major players in the WTO, these intentions have yet to be translated into tangible shifts in negotiating positions of these countries needed to unlock the negotiations. They also welcomed the commitment by African countries to remain engaged in the negotiations.

The Executive Secretary and the Director General also exchanged views on modalities for enhancing cooperation between the ECA and WTO in the provision of trade and WTO-related technical assistance to African countries. They noted that while a significant amount of collaboration between ECA and the WTO already exists in research, training and other areas, this could be strengthened and institutionalized.

In the area of research, the two Chief Executives agreed that the two organizations would work together to identify synergies in research between them; identify priority areas of relevant research for African and collaborate in undertaking appropriate studies; and promote networking among research networks in Africa. As regards training of African policy makers, trade negotiators and the private sector, the two Chief Executives agreed that ECA and the WTO would collaborate in identification of training needs of African countries in prioritizing such needs; mainstreaming trade in national development strategies of African countries; identification of trade-related development priorities; and in identifying and disseminating best practices in trade capacity building and delivery of trade-related technical.

Mr. Janneh and Mr. Lamy also exchanged views on the Aid for Trade Initiative. The Director General indicated that he would like ECA to play a more active role in the Aid For Trade Initiative. In this respect, he informed the Executive Secretary that ECA would be invited to future consultations on Aid for Trade to provide the African perspective on the Initiative and also may be called upon to undertake some relevant work assessing and evaluating Africa's technical assistance needs. Mr. Pascal Lamy stated that an Aid for Trade Forum will be established, which will meet once a year to deliberate on modalities for implementation of the Initiative. ECA would be invited to contribute substantively to these Forums.

The two Chef Executives concluded their consultation by pledging to work together for the effective integration of African in the global trading system and also ensure that Africa will benefit from the subsequent outcome of the Doha Trade Round.