Trade and Sustainable Development Symposium

The WTO XI Ministerial meeting will be held in Buenos Aires Argentina in December of this year. In Agriculture the Agenda being discussed is mainly a carry-over of the themes that have been on the table for some time. Although there is still room for negotiation on the three pillars the Argentine government and the conversations undergoing in Geneva are giving considerable attention to Domestic Support where it is considered that progress is more likely.
The XI Ministerial meeting will take place within a complex and uncertain international context. Growing sentiments against globalization in many developed countries and increasing political pressure in favor of protectionist policies have deteriorated the trade environment and the possibilities to advance in multilateral negotiation processes
Given this international situation it is unlikely that great progress can be made in the areas of the three pillars. For this reason it seems especially important to make a special effort in the identification of new themes on which a constructive dialogue may be initiated for a more formal consideration in subsequent Ministerial meetings.
Two new themes will be presented and analyzed in the proposed Session; a) Elimination of export restriction in food products and c) Special agreement on environmental standards related to Carbon and other GEIs footprint.

Watch this session on YouTube