Minnows to prepare for showdown at Hong Kong
VIJAY UPADHYAY
INDIA(AGRA) 13 JAN. In view of the upcoming WTO summit in Hong Kong this December and to discuss the recommendations made by the G-20 nations in the Doha Declaration, this international bloc of developing and emerging market economies, informally named the G-20 and led by India, shall be holding its seventh summit in Agra this February.
The summit, to be held on the February 19 and 20 shall decide the role to be played by developing nations like India, Brazil, China and South Africa in the upcoming WTO summit. The coordinating members of the G-90 and G-33 groupings of developing nations have also been invited to attend the summit to establish a strong lobby of developing countries against the autocratic attitude of the developed countries.
The G-90 comprises Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific nations, the African Union and Least Developed Countries, while the G-33 comprises developing countries seeking safeguard mechanisms for certain products that are vital to their respective economies.
Being the first event of its kind to be held in Agra on such a grand scale, the summit would be of great significance for the town. The Union Ministry of Commerce and industry is painstakingly preparing for the successful hosting of the summit in close cooperation with the UP Government and Agra administration. A three-member Central committee, headed by the Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Commerce, that had been sent to Agra to review the security arrangements for the summit, has finally waved the green flag after holding a meeting with the administrative and police officials of Agra recently. According to available information, Agra shall hold just a day's session after which the final ministerial discussions shall be held in New Delhi.
It is noteworthy here that the Doha Declaration holds the establishment of a fair and market-oriented trading system through fundamental reform in agriculture as its primary objective. The February summit of these largely agriculture-dependent economies would pave the way for further negotiations at the Hong Kong WTO Conference in December, ultimately building pressure on the developed nations to cut back the huge subsidies provided by them to their farming sector, while also talking of allowing greater access to developing countries into their markets.
Talking to UNN, Agra divisional commissioner Ashok Kumar said the committee consisting of senior Commerce Ministry officials had arrived in Agra to discuss and arrange the agenda and logistics for the summit, which shall address all issues pertaining to the WTO discussions regarding existing international economic issues, primarily on agriculture, it being the most extensive industry of the G-20 nations including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Venezuela. He said in all, there shall be about 90 delegations that shall be attending this summit and preparations have begun to ensure that the delegations are provided the best possible accomodation and security during their Agra stay.
The summit, to be held on the February 19 and 20 shall decide the role to be played by developing nations like India, Brazil, China and South Africa in the upcoming WTO summit. The coordinating members of the G-90 and G-33 groupings of developing nations have also been invited to attend the summit to establish a strong lobby of developing countries against the autocratic attitude of the developed countries.
The G-90 comprises Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific nations, the African Union and Least Developed Countries, while the G-33 comprises developing countries seeking safeguard mechanisms for certain products that are vital to their respective economies.
Being the first event of its kind to be held in Agra on such a grand scale, the summit would be of great significance for the town. The Union Ministry of Commerce and industry is painstakingly preparing for the successful hosting of the summit in close cooperation with the UP Government and Agra administration. A three-member Central committee, headed by the Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Commerce, that had been sent to Agra to review the security arrangements for the summit, has finally waved the green flag after holding a meeting with the administrative and police officials of Agra recently. According to available information, Agra shall hold just a day's session after which the final ministerial discussions shall be held in New Delhi.
It is noteworthy here that the Doha Declaration holds the establishment of a fair and market-oriented trading system through fundamental reform in agriculture as its primary objective. The February summit of these largely agriculture-dependent economies would pave the way for further negotiations at the Hong Kong WTO Conference in December, ultimately building pressure on the developed nations to cut back the huge subsidies provided by them to their farming sector, while also talking of allowing greater access to developing countries into their markets.
Talking to UNN, Agra divisional commissioner Ashok Kumar said the committee consisting of senior Commerce Ministry officials had arrived in Agra to discuss and arrange the agenda and logistics for the summit, which shall address all issues pertaining to the WTO discussions regarding existing international economic issues, primarily on agriculture, it being the most extensive industry of the G-20 nations including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Venezuela. He said in all, there shall be about 90 delegations that shall be attending this summit and preparations have begun to ensure that the delegations are provided the best possible accomodation and security during their Agra stay.
(UNITED NEWS NETWORK)
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