Report of the Canadian Delegation to the Parliamentary Panel within the Framework of the WTO Public Forum 2010 and the 22nd Session of the Steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO

Organized jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the European Parliament

THE PARLIAMENTARY PANEL WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE 2010 WTO PUBLIC FORUM

1. Background

The Parliamentary Conference on the WTO is a joint undertaking of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the European Parliament. Its primary objective is to enhance the external transparency of the WTO and make it accountable to parliamentarians as elected representatives of the people. The sessions of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO are held once a year.

2. Program for the Parliamentary Panel

The 2010 WTO Public Forum was held on WTO premises in Geneva from September 15 to 17, with the theme “The Forces Shaping World Trade.”^[1] As part of the overall program, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the European Parliament held a parliamentary panel entitled:

Can the existing multilateral trading system cope with the emerging challenges?

This parliamentary panel took place on Thursday, September 16, 2010.

3. The Canadian delegation

Representatives from various parliaments, members of the WTO and civil service organizations participated in the Parliamentary Panel, including the Hon. Donald H. Oliver, QC, Senator.

4. Speakers

The Parliamentary Panel discussed the many challenges facing our world today with a particular focus on the role of the WTO and the contribution of Parliamentarians. The Parliamentary Panel was moderated by Professor Gabrielle Marceau from the Legal Affairs Division of the WTO, and included the following speakers:

·        Mr. Vital Moreira — Member of the European Parliament

·        Mr. Benoît Ouattara — MP and a former Minister of Trade in Burkina Faso

·        Mr. Luis Heber — Senator (Uruguay)

·        Professor Laurence Boisson-de-Chazourne — Geneva University

Panelists discussed adding a parliamentary dimension to the WTO, which would enhance the democratic and public accountability of the WTO both globally and locally. A lot of attention was devoted to the relationship between WTO agreements and the multilateral agreements on the environment: without transforming the WTO into the International Organization for Environment, it is necessary to find better ways for the international community to work together.  The role and capacity of the poorer countries to benefit from the system was also debated, including on the sensitive issue of whether emerging developing countries should still claim special and differential treatment. Panelists also indicated that more should be done for a real inclusiveness towards non state actors.

5. The next parliamentary session on the WTO

The date of the next parliamentary session on the WTO has yet to be determined. The Steering Committee met on September 16, 2010, and submitted a number of proposals for the next meeting.

 

THE 22ND SESSION OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE ON THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

1. Background

The Parliamentary Conference on the WTO is a joint undertaking of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the European Parliament. Its primary objective is to enhance the external transparency of the WTO and make it accountable to legislators as elected representatives of the people. The sessions of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO are held once a year and on the occasion of WTO Ministerial Conferences.

The Steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO is responsible for all matters relating to the organization of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO.

2. Agenda

The Steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO met on September 16, 2010 on WTO premises in Geneva, Switzerland. The session included the following agenda items:

·        Update on recent WTO developments with the WTO Director General, Pascal Lamy;

·        Discussion about the 2010 WTO Public Forum;

·        Preparation for the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO in 2011.

3. The Canadian delegation

The Steering Committee meeting welcomed 29 participants from 14 national parliaments and regional parliamentary assemblies, including the Hon. Donald H. Oliver, QC, Senator of the Parliament of Canada.

4. The meeting

A summary of the discussions with WTO Director General Pascal Lamy can be found in Appendix 1. The IPU report on the 22nd Session of the Steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference, which includes a summary of decisions taken by the Committee, can be found in Appendix 2.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

The Hon. Donald H. Oliver, QC, Senator
President, Canadian Group IPU