World Trade Organization
The Doha round of World Trade Organization negotiations aims to lower
barriers to trade around the world, with a focus on making trade fairer for
developing countries. Talks have been hung over a divide between the rich,
developed countries, and the major developing countries (represented by the
G20). Agricultural protectionism is the most significant issue upon which
agreement has been hardest to negotiate.
The Doha round began in Doha, Qatar, and negotiations have subsequently
continued in: Cancún, Mexico; Geneva, Switzerland; Paris, France; and Hong Kong.
The Doha round of WTO negotiations began in November 2001. The purpose was to
agree on the Doha Development Agenda, and from there negotiate opening
agricultural and manufacturing markets. The intent of the round was to make
trade rules fairer for developing countries.
In December 2001, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China or
referred to by China as Chinese Taipei (Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan,
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu) were admitted to the WTO.
BeijingPRC.net, Beijing China
The most recent negotiation was in Hong Kong. The Sixth WTO Ministerial
Conference took place in Hong Kong, December 13 - 18, 2005.
Trade ministers representing most of the world's governments reached a deal that
sets a deadline for eliminating subsidies of agricultural exports by 2013. The
final declaration from the talks, which resolved several issues that have stood
in the way of a global trade agreement, also requires industrialized countries
to open their markets to goods from the world's poorest nations, a goal of the
United Nations for many years. The declaration gives fresh impetus for
negotiators to try to finish a comprehensive set of global free trade rules by
the end of 2006. Pascal Lamy, Director General of the WTO, said, "I now believe
it is possible, which I did not a month ago."
As many as 2000 protestors demonstrated outside the Hong Kong Convention and
Exhibition Centre, the location of the talks. Clashes with the police left at
least 116 people injured, including 56 officers, although there were no critical
injuries, according to the authorities.
