Global Trade Governance and the Role of the South:

Theory and Practice in Enhancing

the Development-Friendliness of the Doha Round

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Global Trade Governance and the Role of the South:

Theory and Practice in Enhancing

the Development-Friendliness of the Doha Round

5 October 2007

Part I - 9-11am, Room W, WTO

Part II – 430-630pm, Room CR1, WTO

South Centre, Geneva

Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi

Panel Description

This two-part panel event, co-organized by the South Centre and by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) will provide the venue for an integrated discussion to link academic and practitioner perspectives on how the rapidly changing context of global geopolitical and economic relations should be addressed through a more active role of the South in: (a) participating in global economic governance institutions such as the WTO; and (b) improving the ability of the WTO to facilitate Southern participation in its governance processes to improve the development-orientation of the ongoing negotiations. It is hoped that through this panel event, a better understanding of both the theory and practice of improving WTO governance mechanisms to enhance its ability to promote development outcomes will be obtained.

About the Co-Organizers

South Centre / Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
The South Centre (the Centre) is an intergovernmental organization and thinktank of developing countries established in 1995 and with its headquarters in Geneva. The Centre is intended to meet the need of developing countries for strong and independent analysis of development problems and experience, as well as to provide intellectual and policy support required by developing countries for collective and individual action, particularly in the international arena. The Centre’s three Programmes – Global Governance for Development (GGDP), Trade for Development (TDP), and Innovation and Access to Knowledge (IAKP) – currently provide developing countries with policy research and technical support and assistance on various international issues, including on trade, intellectual property, knowledge, global governance, financing for development, and environment. For more information about the South Centre, please see www.southcentre.org. / RIS is an autonomous non-profit policy think-tank established in New Delhi with the support of the Government of India. RIS assists developing countries in their international economic negotiations with its research and capacity building activities. Its work focuses on global economic governance, regional economic integration in Asia, South-South Cooperation and strategic responses to globalization. RIS has networked with a number of policy think-tanks in the developing world especially in Asia for collaborative work. It organizes policy dialogues on issues of contemporary relevance and conducts capacity building programmes for developing country officials. The work of RIS is published in the form of research reports such as World Trade and Development Report 2007: Building a Development Friendly World Trading System (Oxford University Press), discussion papers, policy briefs and journals. For more information , please visit www.ris.org.in

Programme

Part I – 9-11am, Room W

Moderator: Mr. Vicente Paolo Yu, Coordinator, GGDP, South Centre

Speaker / Topic
Dr. Nagesh Kumar
Director-General, RIS / Understanding the New Geopolitical and Economic Context for Global Governance: Perspectives from the South
Dr. Carolyn Deere
Director
Global Trade Governance Project
Oxford University / Enhancing Southern Participation in Global Economic Institutions, particularly the WTO: Proposals and Prospects for Integrated Approaches
Dr. Manfred Elsig
World Trade Institute
University of Bern / Improving the WTO’s Governance Ability to Deliver on Development: Academic Proposals on Changes in Institutional Decision-Making Pathways
HE Ambassador Dr. Anthony Mothai Maruping
LDC Coordinator – Lesotho / Improving the WTO’s Role as a Global Governance Institution: Practical Experiences on the Role of Developing Country Coalitions 1 (Regional or Bloc-Type Coalitions)

Part II – 430-630pm, Room CR1

Moderator: Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director-General, RIS

Speaker / Topic
HE Ambassador Faizal Ismail
NAMA 11 Coordinator – South Africa / Improving the WTO’s Role as a Global Governance Institution: Practical Experiences on the Role of Developing Country Coalitions 2 (Issue-Based Coalitions)
HE Ambassador Clodoaldo Hugueney Filho
G-20 Coordinator - Brazil / Improving the WTO’s Role as a Global Governance Institution: The Role of Large Developing Countries in Promoting Developing Country Coalitions
Mr. Mayur Patel
Global Trade Governance Project
Oxford University / Improving the WTO’s Role as a Global Governance Institution: Impact of Developing Country Participation on WTO Governance Outcomes
Mr. Vicente Paolo Yu
Programme Coordinator - GGDP
South Centre / Reflections on Improving Developing Country Participation in WTO Governance

Further Contacts

For more information regarding this event, please contact:

South Centre
Vicente Paolo Yu III
Programme Coordinator
Global Governance for Development Programme
South Centre
17 Ch. du Champ d’Anier
1211 Genève, Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 791 8050
Fax: +41 22 798 8531
Email:
Internet: www.southcentre.org / Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
Dr. Nagesh Kumar
Director-General
Research and Information System for Developing Countries
Zone IV-B Fourth Floor
Indian Habitat Centre Lodhi Road,
New Delhi-100 003, India
Phone: 24682177-80
Fax: 91-11-24682173-74
Email:
Internet: www.ris.org.in

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