The Commission will conduct a strategic overview of the international trading system from a development perspective, with special attention to UNCTAD XI´s sub-theme of assuring development gains from international trade and trade negotiations. Several key issues will be explored.
First, the Commission will examine market access, market entry and competitiveness conditions in importing countries for commodities and manufactures, especially those with dynamic growth potential, as well as distribution networks that inhibit developing countries from responding to new trading opportunities arising from global trade negotiations and agreements. It will also consider the report of an expert meeting on this matter and interact with a panel.
Second, with regard to trade in services and development implications, the Commission will study the increasing role of developing countries in international trade in services, particularly through the movement of natural persons, and the challenges faced and experiences accumulated by these countries in the multilateral services negotiations. It will also review the report of an expert meeting on market access issues related to the movement of natural persons to supply services and effective implementation of Article IV of GATS, and it will interact with a panel.
Third, the Commission will examine trade and environment issues within a broad sustainable development agenda, focusing on key development issues including market access, trading opportunities for environmentally preferable goods and services, protection and sustainable use of bio-diversity and traditional knowledge, and effective implementation of integrated packages of enabling trade measures in multilateral environmental agreements to address global environmental problems. It will also study the report of an expert meeting on definitions and dimensions of environmental goods and services, and it will interact with a panel. Finally, the Commission will take stock of activities carried out since its last session, particularly the support to developing countries in the post-Doha negotiations under the World Trade Organization.
