°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ NOTICIAS: DISCURSOS DG PASCAL LAMY
24 de septiembre de 2005
La Conferencia Ministerial de Hong Kong es la última y la mejor oportunidad de concluir la Ronda para el año próximo — Lamy
Remarks at the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the IMF
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Pascal Lamy
Mr. Chairman,
My message today will come as no surprise. We are less than three months
away from the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ's Hong Kong Ministerial Meeting, four years after the
Doha Round was launched, and well past the deadline set for its
completion. Hong Kong is not just another checkpoint in the
negotiations. It is our last and best chance to move this Round to a
successful conclusion by the end of 2006.
We have little time, and a lot of work to do. In agriculture, by Hong
Kong, we need to set a date for the elimination of export subsides,
figures for slashing trade distorting farm support and a package of
equivalent ambition on market access. We need to agree on the big
numbers to cut substantially but fairly tariffs on manufactured
products. In services, where developing countries have now become
increasingly important players and which are an ever-increasing part of
economies, we also need a big push. We need to arrive, as near as
possible, to draft negotiated texts in areas such as anti-dumping and
subsidies. Finally, on measures to cut down red tape at the border,
trade facilitation in our jargon, the good progress achieved needs
consolidation.
Above all, we need to remember the development objective of this Round.
It will be one of the benchmarks of success. By Hong Kong, substantial
results must be in sight in each particular area of negotiations, if
their sum is to deliver on the promise of the Doha Development Agenda.
But there is also a growing recognition that part of the challenge lies
outside the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ, if we are to translate improvements in market access or
in new trade disciplines into realities for developing countries.
Building the capacity they need to take advantage of open markets or
helping them to adjust is now part of our common global agenda. The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ's core role is trade opening, we are not a development agency. This
is where the Bank, the Fund and other donors come in.
I am convinced that an Aid for Trade initiative is crucial for
developing countries, who represents today two thirds of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ
membership. I will spare no effort over the coming months to work with
you, with °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ developing country members and with Fund and Bank staff,
to make it a reality. At a minimum, I hope that by Hong Kong we can
reach consensus on a decision to enhance our common existing mechanism
for trade related technical assistance for least developed countries,
which we call the Integrated Framework. Looking to the conclusion of the
Round, I believe we should arrive at a more ambitious package of
commitments for technical and financial assistance by the end 2006.
It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of this Round. Its huge
potential for contributing to global growth, correcting imbalances, and
promoting development is obvious. Just as important, a successful Round
would provide a bulwark against protectionism — and make no mistake,
signs of resurgent protectionism are all too evident. Last but not
least, a breakthrough in the Round, after so many disappointments, would
send a much needed message of confidence, that we remain committed to
open markets and multilateral rules, and that the foundations of the
global economy are reinforced.
The world economy will not come to an end if Hong Kong fails and the
Round drifts. But it will be left significantly weaker, perhaps more so
than we can envisage today.
We are not attempting to do the impossible. On the contrary, success is
entirely within reach. Anyone who remembers the Uruguay Round knows that
it went through numerous crises and set backs only to pull together
spectacularly in the final months. The challenge is less technical, than
political. It is about leadership, about compromise, about countries
recognizing their common interest in success, and the collective costs
of failure. As in other Rounds, US-EU leadership is indispensable.
Unlike previous Rounds, leadership from key emerging players and
ownership by developing countries is now just as important.
A final thought: a strong multilateral trading system is one part — vitally important
— of an emerging system of global governance, where
trade, finance, development and many other policies are increasingly
intertwined. Some areas of this Round, like financial services, are your
direct responsibility. Others are the responsibility of ministers of
agriculture, health or the environment.
You are not silent observers of the Doha show, but major stakeholders. I
appeal to you to put your energy and commitment behind a positive
outcome in Hong Kong, not only at the global level, but in national
capitals where more coherence is necessary. The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø×ÊÁÏ needs your support.
I look forward to working with you.