Press release 05.11.2012
Regional Dialogue on the challenges of multilateral trade
Civil society, private sector and media call for coherent policies of regional trade development in Africa Accra (05 november 2012) – Fifty experts Non-state-actors Non (Civile Civile society and private sector) and economic journalists West and Central Africa countries pleaded last week in Accra (Ghana) for "a coherent policy polic on regional trade, prior to a better positioning of Africa in the multilateral trading system. Current Challenges and This plea was held during the second day of the Regional Dialogue on : "Current Future of the Multilateral Trading System - Perspectives from West Africa", Africa organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO) at Labadi Beach Hotel of Accra from 29 to 31 October 2012. During the work, the discussions focused on : the functioning of the multilateral trading system - the Doha Agenda and the WTO work for the future - market access for African countries co - agricultural issues in multilateral trade – impact of non-tariff non measures for African exports - the need for reform – the preferential trade agreements - the settlement of commercial disputes - as well as the specific roles of civil society, private ate sector and the complexity of the media to cover the activities of the WTO. According to the representatives of WTO Secretariat and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Friedrich Stiftung, "The " dialogue aims to develop a better understanding of the WTO and its role in the international international trading system as well as provide a platform for a depth and critical discussion on the ideas that exist in West Africa on the multilateral trading system and its implications for development. development " For those who participate in this dialogue, Africa should use trade negotiations (multilateral, or bilateral) in coherence with its strategies and policy instruments to boost its regional trade The work was led by representatives of the WTO (Keith Rockwell, Rockwell, Director, Information and External Relations and Kuiten Bernard, Head of External Relations, Division of Information and External Relations) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Stiftung (Mrs Daniala Kuzu. Kuzu. and Mr. Constantin Grund). They were supported by various west-African frican experts and diplomatic personalities resident in Accra (Thomas Wimmer, Deputy Head of Mission and Acting German Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of Germany in Ghana and Claude Maerten, Head of EU Delegation).
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Cotonou EMail:
[email protected] westafrica.org;
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