EPA Negotiations in Southern Africa: Some Issues of Concern.
This Analytical Note explores some of the main challenges related to the EPA negotiations in the SADC region, particularly with respect to Market Access and regional integration, Agriculture, and trade in Services. (more…)
Reform of World Bank governance structures.
This South Centre Analytical Note discusses potential governance reforms in the World Bank’s governance structures, with an understanding that some reforms become more or less imperative depending on the direction of the discussions around the long-term strategic direction of the Bank. (more…)
Mandatory Disclosure of the Source and Origin of Biological Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge under the TRIPS Agreement.
The discussion on TRIPS and CBD in the WTO demonstrates the growing convergence on content, scope, relevance and effectiveness of an international mandatory obligation on disclosure of source and country providing biological resources and traditional knowledge. (more…)
South Centre Comments on Draft Modalities for Agriculture.
This note contains comments on the Draft Agriculture modalities submitted by the Chairman of the WTO Committee on Agriculture in Special Session. While the text will be discussed, amended and, if agreed, adopted at a later stage, it is a capital document as it will constitute a yardstick against which positions will be assessed. (more…)
Why Inclusion of Services in the EPAS is Problematic: Legal and Development Implications.
Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) are an important instrument in international trade. RTAs create bigger markets through reduction or elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade between members. Traditionally, these Agreements have focused on the liberalization of merchandise trade among members. (more…)
Comments to the Draft Modalities for WTO NAMA Negotiations dated 17 July 2007.
This note contains preliminary comments on the Draft NAMA Modalities submitted by the Chairman of the WTO Negotiating Group on Market Access (Job (07)/126). While the text will need to be discussed, amended and, if agreed, adopted at a later stage, (more…)
Changes in the Governance of Global Value Chains of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Opportunities and Challenges for Producers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Horticultural trade, especially fresh fruits and vegetables from Sub-Saharan African to European market, has received a great deal of attention over the past decade due to the rapid and sustained growth of its exports to Europe. This impressive growth has undoubtedly contributed to increased national incomes and has reduced rural poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. (more…)
EPA Negotiations in the Central African Region: Some Issues for Consideration.
This Analytical Note explores some of the main challenges that the countries of the EPA Central African region face in the EPA negotiating process, including with respect to its interfaces with WTO negotiations. (more…)
Trade Negotiations in the West African Region: Issues for Consideration.
This Analytical Note explores some of the main challenges that the countries of the EPA West African region face in the EPA negotiating process, particularly with respect to its interfaces with WTO negotiations. (more…)
One United Nations: placing development front and centre.
This South Centre Analytical Note discusses the key recommendations of the Report on the UN Panel on System-Wide Coherence (UN Doc. No. A/61/583, 20 November 2006). It points out some key issues that will need to be considered by the UN management and UN Member States in their discussions and deliberations on the way forward for the implementation of the report’s recommendations. (more…)
The Development Dimension of the Agriculture Negotiations.
In view of the role of agriculture in the social and economic development of developing countries and their experience implementing rules and liberalization commitments related to agricultural trade, the need to redefine the boundaries of the development dimension in multilateral rules governing agricultural trade has emerged. (more…)
GATS Dispute Settlement Cases: Practical Implications for Developing Countries.
Developing countries should be aware of the implications of the WTO dispute settlement reports on US – Gambling1 and Mexico – Telecommunications as they continue participating in the WTO negotiations. (more…)
