December 1, 2009

WTO chief Lamy warns "time running out" for Doha deal

World Trade Organization chief Pascal Lamy said Monday (November 30) that time was running out for the conclusion of a global trade liberalization pact, saying that concrete action was vital to seal the Doha deal.

"Time is running out, and it is not credible at this stage to see issues in isolation from the work and the achievements of the past eight years," he said in opening remarks to ministers from more than 100 countries attending a key WTO meeting in Geneva.

Launched in the Qatari capital in 2001, the Doha Round of talks has foundered amid disagreements between developed and developing countries over the level of cuts to agriculture subsidies and industrial products tariffs.

World leaders have pledged on several occasions this year to conclude the negotiations by 2010, but progress has been slow.

Lamy had warned that next year's deadline would be missed if talks weren't accelerated.

"The moment of truth is fast approaching when you will have to decide whether the 2010 target can be met. Political leaders are practically unanimous that they want to meet it, but reaffirmation is not enough," he said.

"Now we need action, concrete and practical action, to close the remaining gaps."

Reflecting on the Doha stalemate, the WTO's 153 member-states didn't want negotiations officially on the agenda at the meeting, the first of the WTO's top decision-making body in four years.