WCO SECURE: Lessons Learnt From the Abortion Of the TRIP-Plus-Plus IP Enforcement Initiative.
The objective of this research paper is to extract lessons from the negotiation process of SECURE, an initiative to promote TRIPS-plus-plus standards on IP enforcement at the WCO, and assist developing countries in addressing the emerging global challenges in IP enforcement initiatives. (more…)
Patent Counts as Indicators of the Geography of Innovation Activities: Problem and Perspectives.
This Research Paper challenges the conceptual basis of patent counts being relied upon as indicators of innovation for assessing cross-country performance and for the purposes of understanding the geography of innovation in a particular location. (more…)
Article XXIV and RTAs: How Much Wiggle Room for Developing Countries?.
The issue of ‘WTO Compatibility’ of regional trade agreements (RTAs) has been intensely debated ever since the days of the GATT. RTAs are governed by Article XXIV in the GATT. The Article however does not have a development dimension. (more…)
Government Procurement in Economic Partnership Agreements and FTAs.
The ability of governments to procure from firms of its own choice can be an important development tool and can also be an instrument for macroeconomic management. (more…)
Controversial Points in the Discussion on Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) in the Doha Round.
The Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) is often quoted as one of the main controversial points that lead to the failure to the WTO mini-ministerial process in July 2008. Technical divergences relate to key aspects of the design and operation of the mechanism but also strong political divergences among exporters and importers. (more…)
Developing country perspectives on the role of the Development Cooperation Forum: building strategic approaches to enhancing multilateral development cooperation.
This Analytical Note follows up the study on stakeholder perspectives on the Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) prepared by the South Centre entitled “Reshaping the International Development Cooperation Architecture: Perspectives on a Strategic Development Role for the Development Cooperation Forum” (more…)
The WTO’s July 2008 Mini-Ministerial: Agriculture, NAMA, Process Issues and the Road Ahead.
This paper outlines the main events which took place during the WTO’s July mini-Ministerial. It goes on to provide a discussion of the key issues that were important in that meeting – agriculture, cotton, the non-agriculture market access negotiations, as well as systemic process concerns. (more…)
Reshaping the international development cooperation architecture: perspectives on strategic development role for the Development Cooperation Forum.
This Analytical Note presents the findings of a research project undertaken by the South Centre designed to gather insights and perspectives from various stakeholders – including developing country governments and civil society. (more…)
Sustainable development in the context of climate change: overriding priority of the South.
This Analytical Note stresses that both sustainable development and climate change are interlinked. Climate change will have impacts on the pace and progress of developing countries’ efforts to achieve sustainable development objectives, while achieving such objectives form the fundamental premise upon which developing countries are undertaking their actions to address climate change. (more…)
Fact Sheet 12: EPAs and Development Assistance: Rebalancing Rights and Obligations.
The purpose of this analytical note is to highlight the inherent imbalances interim EPA texts contain with regard to development assistance. Its analysis, furthermore, can provide guidance to regions and countries that need to (more…)
Mercosur’s experience and progress towards true regional integration.
This South Centre Analytical Note provides a background and discussion on the history of the Mercado Común del Sur – Mercosur’s regional economic and political cooperation and the insights it can provide to developing countries seeking to build greater integration in their region. (more…)
Comments on the 3rd high level forum on aid effectiveness. Final Draft of the Accra Agenda for Action.
This South Centre Analytical Note looks at the 25 July 2008 final draft text of the Accra Agenda for Action (AAA) that is being proposed for adoption by participants at the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra, Ghana, in September 2008. (more…)
