25 September 2001                            Press Release No. G/33/2001
For use by media; not an official record.

Developing Countries Need to Intensify Cooperative Efforts

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- As ESCAP member countries prepare for the next WTO Ministerial Conference, a sense of harsh reality pervades as they grapple with political uncertainties and economic slowdown, said Mr. Kim Hak- Su, ESCAP Executive Secretary.

“Nevertheless, there is an acute sense of urgency among all countries, that the mistakes of Seattle must not be repeated. I also sense a deep conviction among countries that the future export-led prosperity of the ESCAP region is critically dependent on a successful outcome at the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference,” added Mr. Kim.

Mr. Kim was concluding the first part of a week-long ESCAP/UNCTAD High-level Meeting of ESCAP Developing Countries in Preparation for the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference held from 24-25 September 2001 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.

Countries in the process of accession spoke eloquently of the need for fast track accession to enable them to participate and benefit from a future round of negotiations. LDCs or Least Developed Countries in particular stressed the importance of ensuring consistency in the terms of accession between newly acceding LDCs and founding LDCs, and some cautioned that they would not join the WTO “at any cost”.

As both developed countries and developing countries grapple with multidimensional   political   instabilities   and   economic recession, the temptation to turn protectionist increases.  A successful Fourth Ministerial Conference is therefore of critical importance, said Mr. Kim.

Multilateral cooperation through trade and investment that creates mutually beneficial interdependence among countries, can also promote greater understanding and trust, and is therefore an essential building block for both economic well being and peaceful relations.

“Developing countries need to intensify their cooperative efforts,  and  collectively press for a future trade agenda that will be balanced, and responsive to their development needs and priorities,” said Mr. Kim.

Conference participants felt implementation   issues   remained of   a   paramount  concern  of developing countries. Optimism was expressed by some that progress on this issue is underway.

A number of countries mentioned that removing imbalances in existing agreements through the built-in agenda and not through rule making in new areas, or through further liberalization should be the focus of future work at the WTO.

High-level officials from 33 ESCAP members and associate members as well as observers from over 10 countries outside of the ESCAP region attended the Meeting.

                                                                            Ends