Question: Where was the ’11th WTO Ministerial Conference’ organized during December 10-13, 2017?
(a) Muscat
(b) Doha
(c) Buenos Aires
(d) Jakarta
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- During 10-13 December, 2017, the ’11th WTO Ministerial Conference ‘was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- This conference was chaired by the Argentine Minister Susana Malcorra.
- Representatives of 164 member countries participated in this conference.
- Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu led the Indian delegation to this conference.
- It is notable that the Ministerial Conference is the top decision unit of this organization.
- The four-day meeting ended without any ministerial declaration or any concrete results.
- The key reason for this is the withdrawal of America from the commitment to finding a permanent solution to the public food storage issue.
- With the failure of talks in the conference, other developing countries like India have been disappointed.
- The United States refused to reach at a common platform about the demand for food security raised by India, which made this conversation unsuccessful.
- Only a slight progress has taken place in the field of fishery and e-commerce, as it has been agreed on the working programs.
- Significantly, India has been advocating a permanent solution to the food stock issue and a positive result was expected in this negotiation.
- The Indian delegation led by Suresh Prabhu and the group of G-33 countries of the world was also emphasizing its permanent solution.
- Because it is essential for providing food to millions of poor in developing countries of the world.
- Under the Global Business Rules, food subsidies of member countries of the organization should not exceed 10 percent of the value of production based on the value of 1986 to 1988.
- India has been demanding amendment in the formula for assessment of food subsidy limits.
- It says that due to the implementation of the food security program, there will be a violation of the WTO set limits.
- All developing countries, including India, believe that the priority of the WTO should not be confined to agricultural products, but it must also include the manufacturing and service sector.
- It is noteworthy that for the last two decades, the meaning of international trade has changed, in which the developing countries in the field of manufacturing and service sector are putting tremendous challenge to developed countries.
- After this, developed countries have tried to provide protection to their industries, which is being opposed by developing countries.
- Having a no outcome of the meeting has raised a big question about the relevance and reliability of this organization.
Reference:
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/mc11_e/mc11_e.htm
http://bit.ly/2yIzkch
http://ddinews.gov.in/business/suresh-prabhu-argentina-attend-11th-ministerial-conference-wto