ICDA Secretariat | EU NGO Dialogue with Civil Society--Re-vamped: 28 April 2003

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Latest Position of European NGOs on Trade-related issues(as of April 2003)

"EC Sustainability impact assessments: greenwashing or real political will?"

Read the joint NGO statement on the SIAs that was written in collaboration with other European Civil Society organisations in February 2003: "Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) is a central plank of the European Commission's strategy to mainstream sustainable development into EU trade policy. Correctly conducted and used, SIA can help deliver more sustainable trade by highlighting the potential social, environmental and developmental impacts of trade agreements and identifying measures to mitigate negative impacts."

Acrobat Reader needed to read this report (Feb.2001)

"Recommendations for ways forward on institutional reform of the World Trade Organisation : A discussion paper compiled by ActionAid, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Consumers International, FIELD, Oxfam, RSPB, WDM"

Latest News (Updated: Monday 19 May, 2003)

ICDA Member CUTS has written a report analysing the investment agreements in the WTO. It is entitled "Putting our Fears on the Table". You can read the report here.[posted:19 May'03]

OXFAM International sent a report yesterday through the ETN List-serv. A 43-page briefing paper, it calls on WTO members to "reject the launch of investment negotiations in Cancun". Read the report here[posted:30 April'03]

BIRDLIFE International's Brussels office have written a paper that aims to provide an environmental perspective of the Common Agricultural Policy. You can read the report here.[posted:6 May'03]

ICDA's Special Pages on Trade

Check out ICDA's Special Page on the 7-8 May NGDO Conference
Development NGO Conference in preparation for the 5th WTO Ministerial Meeting in Cancún, Mexico Brussels, 7-8 May 2003 "The Doha Round - What's In It For Development?"

The purpose of this Conference is to question and challenge the European Union's negotiating proposals in the run up to the Cancún WTO Ministerial Meeting, and in particular the attempts to put 'development' at the heart of the Doha Round. The Conference is organised by development NGO networks, but there will be participation from the wider European civil society and from the South. EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy has confirmed his participation in the 8 May afternoon panel debate and in the ensuing press conference.

Highlights of the February 2001 Issue Group Report

The meeting brought together 17 NGOs

The EU also needs to address the issue of Transparency before the Qatar Ministerial in November

Developing countries have a problem with Civil Society, too, in the sense that they could potentially undermine these countries' already very limited capacity to influence the WTO.

There is a question over what preconditions will have to agreed to in order for both developing and LDC countries to participate effectively to the vote.

NGOs could be granted Observer status in certain WTO committees, as well as be briefed earlier on certain upcoming issues.

NGOs argued that Parliamentarians of all shades could be more actively involved.

NGOs felt that the transparency of current EU policy with respect to trade policy is insufficient.

Civil Society at this discussion agreed that adequate weight ought to be provided in panel decisions to other international rules that potentially conflict with WTO provisions.

Special Reports

Visit ICDA's SOD Page

The summer month of August saw some interesting initiatives raised here at ICDA. One of these was the creation of the Summary, Overview & Development report -- otherwise known as the ICDA SOD Report. It's principal aim is to provide a 3-4 page overview of the main issues covered in one month's Impact List.

Useful Links

WTO Impact List website