The development dimension of the Doha Developmental Round and its impact on developing countries

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Evolution of the trading system
• Relationship between development and trade
• Special and differential treatment
• Negotiating objectives of specific country coalitions within WTO (NAMA)
• Effects of WTO negotiations on developing countries
• How should the WTO accommodate the interests of developing countries?

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper assesses the development dimension of the Doha Developmental Round negotiations within the World Trade Organization (WTO), focusing on the policy space and flexibilities offered to developing countries in pursuing developmental objectives. It examines whether special and differential (S&D) treatment is sufficient for development and considers alternative approaches.

• Evolution of the global trading system from GATT to WTO
• Relationship between trade and development, particularly concerning NAMA and S&D treatment
• Impact of WTO negotiations on developing countries
• The need for WTO restructuring to better accommodate the interests of developing countries
• The limitations of special and differential treatment for developing countries

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction establishes the context of the Doha Developmental Round and its focus on the developmental needs of low-income countries. It outlines the paper's structure and its focus on the sufficiency of S&D treatment.

The section on the evolution of the trading system traces the development from GATT to the WTO, highlighting key changes in trade regulations post-Uruguay Round, such as reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers and the impact on developing countries. It also contrasts the nature of GATT and the WTO as international organizations.

The chapter on the relationship between development and trade discusses the need for the multilateral trading system to effectively address development concerns. It analyzes the disparities between developed and developing countries within the WTO and the criticisms leveled by low-income countries regarding the system's focus and impact.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Doha Developmental Round, World Trade Organization (WTO), General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), special and differential (S&D) treatment, developing countries, trade policy, NAMA, multilateral trading system, development, capacity building, fair trade.