2.
Since
thefirst session
of theParliamentaryConferenceontheWTOnearlyadecade
ago,theinternational
tradelandscape
hasundergoneconsiderable
changes
andbecome morecomplex,multi-polarizedandregionalized.
Thevectoroftransformation points
to increasedfragmentationofproductionintheglobalsupplychain,withamarkedshiftalong theSouth-Southaxis.
Theexistingmultilateraltradearchitecture,withtheWTOatitscore, continuestoplayacrucial role,acting
asastabilizeroftheglobaleconomy. The importanceofarules-based
trading system
as acontributorto economicgrowth
was affirmedduringtheglobalfinancialandeconomiccrisis,whenprotectionismwasrelatively containedandstrict
adherencetoWTOrulesandcommitments
wasanimportantgoal.
Nevertheless,
given theuncertaineconomicoutlook,weremainconcernedaboutthe
growingtendencytowards
protectionist measures.
4. We draw attention
to the
fact that
the Doha Round
was launchedas a
“developmentround”whichgivesprioritytothe needsandinterestsofdeveloping
countries,especiallytheleastdevelopedones,toensurethat allpeoplesandcountriesget anequitableshareoftheopportunitiesandbenefitsoftradeliberalizationandenhanced interdependenceamong economies.
Achievementof
these
aims requires
afairand
balanceddealthatreinforcesarules-basedmultilateralsystemand enhancesthenecessary
supportmechanisms
thatprovideappropriatetrade-related
technicalassistance
and capacity-buildingtotheleast developedcountries.
5. Thenewrealitiesofinternational tradehavehadatransformative impactonthe
scopeoftradepoliciesat thenational,regionalandinternationallevels.
Sustainabletrade
liberalization,freemovementof capital,advancements
in transport
infrastructure and
progressininformationandcommunicationtechnologies–allfacilitatethecomplexwebof
tradeflows,
includingcomponentssuchasthemovementofintermediategoodsthrough globalvaluechains. Asaresult,thefocusoftradepolicieshasshiftedfrom
thenarrowfield
ofimportandexport
controlstothepromotionofcompetitivenessandexport diversification,intunewiththechangesintheglobaleconomy.
6. Internationaltradepolicyisnotonlyaboutmakinglawsandratifyinginternational agreements,
butaboveallaboutcreating atradeenvironmentthatgenerates revenue,
providesemploymentandstimulatesallstakeholders,includingtheprivate sector-
especiallymicro, smallandmedium-sizedenterprises-tobeproactiveandinnovative.We recognizethatthebenefitsoftradearenotautomaticandthattradeitselfisanecessarybut insufficientconditionfortriggeringandsustaininggrowthanddevelopment. Tradepolicy
canalsocontributesignificantlytopovertyreduction,especiallyindevelopingcountries.To
bearfruit,tradepolicies mustbediscussed also
inthecontextoffurtherdevelopment
objectives,suchasemploymentgeneration,enhancedproductivecapacity,sustainedand
inclusive economicgrowth,foodandenergysecurity,
improvedpublichealth,access
to essentialmedicinesandservices,efforts tocombatcorruption,etc.Tradepoliciesshouldbe complementedbyappropriatemacroeconomicmeasures, including effectivefiscal
and monetarypoliciesthatarespecifically
aimedatamoreequitablesharing ofwealthand
opportunities
withinandacrosscountries.