UN's Asia-Pacific gathering wraps up with call for better trade deal for poorer States

Exports from the world?s poorest countries should be granted duty- and quota-free access to markets, according to government officials, economists and academics attending a regional United Nations trade meeting as they warned against a turn towards protectionist policies.

Friday, November 06, 2009

Article Tools

ESCAP Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer

Exports from the world"s poorest countries should be granted duty- and quota-free access to markets, according to government officials, economists and academics attending a regional United Nations trade meeting as they warned against a turn towards protectionist policies.

More than 100 participants at the first session of the Committee on Trade and Investment of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which wrapped up today in Bangkok, said protectionism could undermine the multilateral trading system and delay recovery from the global economic crisis.

They called for the poorest States, classified as least developed countries (LDCs), to be granted better export rights, even without waiting for the completion of the so-called Doha round of negotiations on reducing international trade barriers.

ESCAP Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer told the gathering that they were enormous opportunities for growth in South-South trade and investment, but high tariffs and procedural obstacles were the biggest stumbling blocks to that goal.

Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said the Asia-Pacific region must not let the recovery from the current economic crisis be a jobless one.

UN chief mourns death of former Nepalese prime minister

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today paid tribute to Nepal's former prime minister and head of the Nepali Congress party Girija Prasad Koirala, calling his death a “huge loss” both for the country and for its peace process, which ended a decade-long civil war.

Tibet: China: Tibetans non violent protests go on. Monks and students Arrested

In Qinghai pro-Dalai Lama leaflets are distributed, the police occupy the nearby monastery and arrest three monks at random. Secondary school students in Gansu praise the Dalai Lama, the police arrest at least 20 young people.

"This financial crisis has turned into a social crisis for some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with job losses and deterioration in social well-being," he said.

Source: UN News

Filed under geopolitics, asiapacific, poorer, trade, wraps, un

Global

Featured

UN chief mourns death of former Nepalese prime minister
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today paid tribute to Nepal's former prime minister and head of the Nepali Congress party Girija Prasad Koirala, calling his death a “huge loss” both for the country and for its peace process, which ended a decade-long civil war. more
Tibet: China: Tibetans non violent protests go on. Monks and students Arrested
In Qinghai pro-Dalai Lama leaflets are distributed, the police occupy the nearby monastery and arrest three monks at random. Secondary school students in Gansu praise the Dalai Lama, the police arrest at least 20 young people. more
Iran: Us: Obama renews offer of dialogue with Tehran, but emphasizes its "isolation"
In a video message on the occasion of Nowruz, the U.S. president stresses that the policy of a "helping hand" is always valid, even if Iran has chosen “isolation". He hopes for more cultural and educational exchanges between young Iranians and Americans, and free internet access. more
Philippines: Through the Gospel Catholic volunteers help prisoners to hope for a new life
The program is run by Caritas and the Philippines Association of lay Dominicans. Since 1976, over 10 thousand prisoners have been reintegrated into society through training and psychological and spiritual help inside and outside prison. more
Pope: those who abused children will answer before God
In a Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, Benedict XVI returns to openly confront the issue of paedophile priests, who must also go before the courts. "Shame and remorse" for what happened. Critical of the bishops who failed to safeguard, instead suppressed and concealed. He reminds victims that ... more
Bangladesh: Dhaka, towards Easter by reflecting on "sacrifice, service and spiritual growth"
In the church of the Holy Cross, a parish in the capital, over 120 children have prayed and meditated on the themes of "sacrifice, service and growth in spiritual life." A seminar in the Lenten season to "welcome and celebrate the risen Christ." Local priests: the children learn the value of the ... more
Obama Says Still Open To Dialogue, Diplomacy With Tehran
U.S. President Barack Obama has renewed his administration's offer of dialogue and diplomacy with Tehran. more
Thousands Take Part In Antigovernment Protests Across Russia
Thousands of protesters gathered across Russia to protest the authorities' handling of the economic crisis and demand the resignation of Vladimir Putin's government. more
Clinton To Host Top-Level Strategic Talks Between U.S., Pakistan
The United States and Pakistan will hold a round of strategic dialogues in Washington next week, the first to be held at the ministerial level. more

Comments

Be the first to comment on this article!

View all comments

RSS
Spero News on Twitter
Spero News on Google Buzz
Submit a tip
Advertise
Terms of use
Privacy Policy
Contact