World Bank (Washington, DC)
20 July 2007
press release
World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick issued the following statement today on the current WTO consultations.
This week negotiators in the WTO working on the Doha Development Agenda brought the discussions one important step closer to bearing fruit. The chairs of two of the negotiating committees handling the most contentious topics - agriculture and non-agricultural market access - issued draft compromise texts. I know from personal experience that the negotiations have been long and arduous. These topics involve difficult choices. Probably no government will be totally pleased, and many will find much to criticize. Nevertheless, the papers reveal just how much significant progress has already been achieved, and that the remaining gaps can be specified to achieve compromise, even though the topics are contentious.
The global community should stay focused on the prize. If the draft texts eventually become the basis of an agreement, all economies should be able to benefit. It is particularly important for poor farmers and workers in developing countries to have greater opportunities to sell their products in the global marketplace and benefit from lower prices.
We know that simply opening doors to the products poor people produce is not enough. Countries have to overcome obstacles that prevent them from taking advantage of new opportunities. This is the reason why the World Bank is working closely with the WTO and development partners on - aid for trade -mobilizing resources to help poor countries capture the potential benefits of globalization. The World Bank wants to support the negotiators from all countries - but especially the poorest - to gain from a successful negotiation. A major final push will be needed to close the gaps but, with the right spirit, there is now a deal on the table to be seized.
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