The multilateral trading system is in crisis: not only are the benefits of globalization in question but the inclusive system itself, as the backbone of international trade relations and with the WTO as its guardian, is in danger. Moreover the centrality of the WTO is under threat with partial deals being pursued through “variable geometry” channels Global leaders are re-examining their roles and strategies when it comes to trade. The crisis in multilateralism and growing uncertainty about the direction of future global trade relations heavily affects the Doha round. Before these recent developments, the Round already was in serious trouble due to the polar opposite views on how it should be concluded that are held by major developed and developing members. Poor developing countries, including LDCs, suffer as in most partial deals they do not have a seat at the table and no opportunity to voice their concerns. Their small size in terms of trade volume combined with a non-assertive approach in negotiations allows bigger players to proceed in their agenda-shaping discussions without them. Meanwhile, outside negotiating rooms, the development of new technologies is dramatically changing trade patterns worldwide. It has also enabled an unprecedented growth of e-commerce, which created previously non-existing opportunities for remote small-scale manufacturers. Poor developing countries including LDCs stand to gain from these developments only if they are well organized and work together in shaping the future multilateral rules to work for their development.
Against this backdrop the Session will examine negotiating avenues that could be pursued by poorer developing countries in the international arena to make sure that the global trading system is responsive to their development needs. The Session will discuss possible responses by those countries to various new developments such as regional integration, plurilateral and bilateral exclusive agreements as well as how they can act to minimize any negative effects of these developments on their economies. In addition, the Session will also invite panellist to brainstorm on the trade policy reform that is needed in the lesser developed countries to make sure that their own trade ecosystems are in tune with developments of the 21st Century and are aimed at integrating them into the mainstream of world trade .
