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ADB Conference for WTO Negotiators

BANGKOK, THAILAND (26 July 2002) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will organize a capacity-building conference in Bangkok from 31 July to 2 August for senior government officials to better understand WTO (World Trade Organization) agreements and assist on-going trade negotiations.

This is ADB's first activity to support WTO training and capacity-building programs since the two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding recently to enhance cooperation in the Asian and Pacific region, including implementation of the Doha Development Agenda.

Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, WTO's Director-General Designate and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, will give the keynote address on the first day.

The conference will discuss the key agenda in the Doha Development Round and the experience of the People's Republic of China and Taipei,China in implementing WTO agreements and in WTO membership negotiations. It will also discuss dispute settlement mechanisms and the trade policies of the European Union, Japan and the United States.

As well as helping its developing member countries (DMCs) prepare for the next round of negotiations, ADB is assisting members that have applied for WTO membership. Currently, 20 DMCs have joined WTO and 12 are applying for membership.

"ADB has a keen interest in trade liberalization and facilitation as well as trade policy and practices because trade plays a key role in economic growth, development and poverty reduction," says ADB Assistant Chief Economist Jean-Pierre Verbiest. He adds that many of Asia's developing economies are export-oriented and rely on a fair, equitable and rule-based multilateral trading system.

Trade negotiators not only play a key role in negotiations in Geneva, but also help at home to formulate policy and coordinate implementation of WTO agreements.

The meeting is funded by ADB's Japan Special Fund, which is financed by the Government of Japan.

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