Final round of WTO talks: Cairns Group likely to meet in Canada from September 7

Cairns Group's 36th meeting is expected to be held from September 7 to 9 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to discuss future strategy for the final round of World Trade Organisation's (WTO) talks.
The Cairns Group is a unique coalition of 19 agricultural exporting countries with a commitment to reforming agricultural trade. A diverse coalition bringing together developed and developing countries from Latin America, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, the Cairns Group has been an influential voice in the agricultural reform debate since its formation in 1986 and has continued to play a key role in pressing the WTO members to meet in full the far-reaching mandate set in Doha.
Official sources told Business Recorder that the WTO members were currently facing an especially challenging period in the Doha Round negotiations. In recent weeks, it has become apparent that it will not be possible to conclude the negotiations in 2011. Negotiators have now turned their minds to considering what can be achieved by the end of the year and what should be done about those issues, which remain outstanding.
Against this background, the 2011 Cairns Group ministerial meeting comes at a critical time, particularly in the lead-up to the 8th WTO ministerial conference in December.
" Our meeting in Saskatoon will provide us with a timely opportunity to consider the outcomes the Cairns Group is seeking from December ministerial conference, and how best to advocate these views across the broader WTO membership," said the Canadian Agriculture Minister.
According to the Group, it will be important for it to reinforce the centrality of agriculture in the WTO negotiations, and to ensure there is a clear path forward for any agriculture related issue which cannot be concluded by December.
This year's meeting will again allow Ministers to continue to consult with some of the key players in the WTO negotiations. To that end, the Group has extending invitations to China, European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco and the United States as special guests.
Pakistan is likely to be represented by the Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim in the Cairns Group meeting.
"We will also invite Russia, as this meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss its accession to the WTO, Vietnam, in its capacity as a Cairns Group observer, the WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, as well as the Chair or the agriculture negotiations," said the Canadian Agriculture Minister.
The Group expects that in addition to discussions on the WTO negotiations, this year's Cairns Group meeting will provide an opportunity to consider a second main agenda item with significant implications for trade in agriculture against the backdrop of recent discussions on food security, notably at the G20 Agriculture Ministers' meeting held in June 2011. It is important that the Cairns Group continue to show leadership on the essential role of trade in addressing the challenges of global food security.
Initiating a dialogue among Cairns Group members on how to foster a more predictable and open trading environment for agriculture products would bring a solid contribution to help shape the debate on the issue of food security. It would also help in maintaining momentum towards achieving an acceptable meeting in December.
"As is customary, Cairns Group Farm leaders are again planning to meet in parallel to our ministerial meeting, providing an important opportunity for Ministers to engage in a meaningful dialogue with our respective industry constituencies," said the Canadian Agriculture Minister to his Pakistani counterpart.