Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #MC12
Most recents (11)
As 2022 comes to a close and the world confronts the “polycrisis,” researchers across the GDP Center highlight where progress has been made, where policy movement has stagnated + what to keep an eye on for 2023.
🧵for expert insights ⤵️
gdpcenter.org/2022InReview
🧵for expert insights ⤵️
gdpcenter.org/2022InReview
1️⃣ In October 2022, @SecYellen asked for an evolution roadmap from @WorldBank to make the institution more fit-for-purpose.
@rishirbhandary says a 🔑 component of this is multilateral development banks substantially increasing their firepower.
gdpcenter.org/2022InReview
@rishirbhandary says a 🔑 component of this is multilateral development banks substantially increasing their firepower.
gdpcenter.org/2022InReview
2️⃣ @han_cecilia considers if 🇨🇳China is hitting pause on the green energy revolution as coal remains the largest share of overseas power generating capacity financed by 🇨🇳China.
She says it must scale up support for renewable energy to meet commitments.
gdpcenter.org/2022InReview
She says it must scale up support for renewable energy to meet commitments.
gdpcenter.org/2022InReview
🧵 On Sunday, the much-postponed 12th WTO Ministerial Conference #MC12 starts.
Here is another curtain-raiser, with @BobWolfeSPS
@wto Director-General @NOIweala believes it will be a success.
But what does “success” mean?
1/11 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2022/06/09/tou…
Here is another curtain-raiser, with @BobWolfeSPS
@wto Director-General @NOIweala believes it will be a success.
But what does “success” mean?
1/11 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2022/06/09/tou…
“Many gaps remain but we are making progress,” @NOIweala told members on Tuesday Jun 7
“The success of this whole endeavour is in our hands. Let us deliver. The people outside are waiting for us and, believe it or not, I really think we will do it.”
2/11 wto.org/english/news_e…
“The success of this whole endeavour is in our hands. Let us deliver. The people outside are waiting for us and, believe it or not, I really think we will do it.”
2/11 wto.org/english/news_e…
Fingers crossed, there might even be a deal on fisheries subsidies, she and the talks’ chair @WillsSantiago said.
But despite “cautious optimism” WTO spokesperson Dan Pruzin warned journalists to expect ministers to meet late into the night at #MC12
3/11 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2022/06/09/tou…
But despite “cautious optimism” WTO spokesperson Dan Pruzin warned journalists to expect ministers to meet late into the night at #MC12
3/11 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2022/06/09/tou…
It’s been clear for some time that WTO members are unlikely to agree on anything substantial on agriculture—despite declaring it a priority—when their ministers meet in Geneva Jun 12–15
Information from trade sources on a meeting last Thu May 19 reinforce that assessment🧵
1/11
Information from trade sources on a meeting last Thu May 19 reinforce that assessment🧵
1/11
The focus has changed in recent months—the Ukraine war has increased concerns about food security.
But the best binding decision that can be expected is to exempt the World Food Programme’s humanitarian purchases from export restrictions—still opposed by India & Tanzania.
2/11
But the best binding decision that can be expected is to exempt the World Food Programme’s humanitarian purchases from export restrictions—still opposed by India & Tanzania.
2/11
Expect some non-binding/“best-endeavour” statement on food security, eg, the UK-led proposal⬇️, which draws on familiar themes of keeping supplies flowing, increasing transparency, minimising market disruption.
Even transparency is a problem…
3/11 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
Even transparency is a problem…
3/11 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
WTO members on all sides were urged today to sort out their reservations over the proposed compromise, so that a deal on waiving some intellectual property protection for COVID-19 can be struck by the Jun 12-15 Ministerial Conference, trade sources say.
1/14 #TRIPSwaiver
1/14 #TRIPSwaiver
In an informal meeting of the WTO intellectual property (TRIPS) council, Director-General @NOIweala said WTO members have no option but to produce a result for the #MC12 Ministerial Conference, even if that means negotiating round the clock, the sources said.
2/14
2/14
Today's meeting was held to take stock of the first two days of real negotiations on the compromise text⬇️, on Mon&Wed, May 16&18. During those sessions, @NOIweala urged delegates to be prepared to compromise: "the perfect is the enemy of the good"
3/14 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/text-g4-trips-…
3/14 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/text-g4-trips-…
Some thoughts on the Jun 12-15 slimline WTO Ministerial Conference #DietMC12
The biggest challenge: persuading ministers it’s worth travelling to Geneva in the first place
What does “slimline” entail?
• Most decisions taken before the meeting—ministers just endorse them
1/10
The biggest challenge: persuading ministers it’s worth travelling to Geneva in the first place
What does “slimline” entail?
• Most decisions taken before the meeting—ministers just endorse them
1/10
• Those decisions will be more technical (eg extending duty-free e-commerce) than political.
• Big political decisions are unlikely before or during the conference anyway (agriculture, even fisheries subsidies, reforming dispute settlement)
2/10 wto.org/english/thewto…
• Big political decisions are unlikely before or during the conference anyway (agriculture, even fisheries subsidies, reforming dispute settlement)
2/10 wto.org/english/thewto…
• Ministers would not negotiate anything, except maybe final touches to almost-agreed non-binding packages: responses to the pandemic, food security.
• Or a decision to exempt the World Food Programme from export restrictions (only India and Tanzania holding out)
3/10
• Or a decision to exempt the World Food Programme from export restrictions (only India and Tanzania holding out)
3/10
The 12th WTO Ministerial Conference #MC12 is postponed. What now?
Can ambassadors get close to agreement on their own? They couldn’t in November.
And can ministers find the necessary compromises on Zoom?
Fingers crossed. With @BobWolfeSPS
1/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/goo…
Can ambassadors get close to agreement on their own? They couldn’t in November.
And can ministers find the necessary compromises on Zoom?
Fingers crossed. With @BobWolfeSPS
1/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/goo…
GOOD NEWS:
• ministers avoided embarrassment of a failed #MC12 meeting (although spin would have made it look like it achieved a lot, not just kicked cans)
• the approaching meeting focused minds, produced lots of work, before it was abandoned
2/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/goo…
• ministers avoided embarrassment of a failed #MC12 meeting (although spin would have made it look like it achieved a lot, not just kicked cans)
• the approaching meeting focused minds, produced lots of work, before it was abandoned
2/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/goo…
THE BAD
There was so much members disagreed about, most of it with little sign of compromise. They couldn’t even agree on what to call the statement to be issued at the end of the Ministerial Conference #MC12
For now it’s a draft “outcome document”.
3/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/goo…
There was so much members disagreed about, most of it with little sign of compromise. They couldn’t even agree on what to call the statement to be issued at the end of the Ministerial Conference #MC12
For now it’s a draft “outcome document”.
3/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/goo…
This is one of the people who’s been carrying out the EU’s deadly policy of DELIBERATELY BLOCKING wider vaccine production globally, by preventing the #TRIPSwaiver at the WTO.
And this is a lie: the EU is committed only to boosting pharma company profits, not fighting the virus
And this is a lie: the EU is committed only to boosting pharma company profits, not fighting the virus
By blocking wider production of vaccines, the EU is DELIBERATELY prolonging the pandemic, meaning:
☠️ more death;
☠️ more economic disruption;
☠️ more chances for new variants to emerge that are:
☠️ ☠️ more deadly,
☠️ ☠️ more easily spread,
☠️ ☠️ vaccine resistant.
☠️ more death;
☠️ more economic disruption;
☠️ more chances for new variants to emerge that are:
☠️ ☠️ more deadly,
☠️ ☠️ more easily spread,
☠️ ☠️ vaccine resistant.
There can be no stupider policy in a global pandemic than DELIBERATELY throttling vaccine production.
But that’s what the EU has been doing at the WTO for over a year…
But that’s what the EU has been doing at the WTO for over a year…
Next week the @WTO will hold its 12th ministerial conference.
Here's a thread w/ (most) everything you need to know about #MC12 🧵
1/16
Here's a thread w/ (most) everything you need to know about #MC12 🧵
1/16
@wto What is the WTO?
The WTO is a UN-affiliated organization of 164 members.
It has 3 functions:
- Negotiate trade deals
- Monitor trade practices
- Settle disputes
A well-functioning WTO provides businesses w/ certainty & predictability to invest & operate abroad.
2/16
The WTO is a UN-affiliated organization of 164 members.
It has 3 functions:
- Negotiate trade deals
- Monitor trade practices
- Settle disputes
A well-functioning WTO provides businesses w/ certainty & predictability to invest & operate abroad.
2/16
@wto What's happening?
On Nov. 30 some 4,000 trade officials will gather in Geneva for a meeting of the WTO's highest decision making body.
The aim is to agree to common rules to ease the burdens of cross-border trade.
Schedule:
bit.ly/3l98k0K
3/16
On Nov. 30 some 4,000 trade officials will gather in Geneva for a meeting of the WTO's highest decision making body.
The aim is to agree to common rules to ease the burdens of cross-border trade.
Schedule:
bit.ly/3l98k0K
3/16
In October 2020, India and South Africa submitted a proposal to the @wto for easing of rules that impose intellectual property barriers that restrict access to COVID-19 vaccines & treatments i.e. #TRIPSWaiver
The EU is blocking the proposal.
A thread ⬇️
left.eu/why-is-the-eur…
The EU is blocking the proposal.
A thread ⬇️
left.eu/why-is-the-eur…
During the HIV/AIDS epidemic, high-income countries had access to lifesaving drugs while millions in developing countries were left to die.
This scenario is repeating itself due to power and greed. We need #TRIPSWaiver to end the pandemic.
left.eu/4-reasons-why-…
This scenario is repeating itself due to power and greed. We need #TRIPSWaiver to end the pandemic.
left.eu/4-reasons-why-…
About 75% of the 4.12 billion vaccines administered worldwide have gone to high- and upper-middle-income countries.
Only 0.6% of doses have been administered in low-income countries.
Developed countries, including the EU, have been hoarding vaccines.
aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/5/…
Only 0.6% of doses have been administered in low-income countries.
Developed countries, including the EU, have been hoarding vaccines.
aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/5/…
A lot going on this weekend: summits in Rome (G20) and Glasgow (climate change).
Also:
Exactly one month before the @wto Ministerial Conference #MC12 starts in Geneva. The prospects are improving marginally, but still not great.
ICYMI with updates
1/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/wto…
Also:
Exactly one month before the @wto Ministerial Conference #MC12 starts in Geneva. The prospects are improving marginally, but still not great.
ICYMI with updates
1/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/wto…
@BobWolfeSPS and I remain sceptical that the Ministerial Conference will deliver much of significance out of the broad range of critical problems confronting the @wto
2/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/wto…
2/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/wto…
More positive: a possible deal on curbing harmful fisheries subsidies—fingers firmly crossed
20 years talking past each other, 2020 deadline missed—until the UN Climate Change summit #COP26 and WTO Ministerial Conference #MC12 loomed
But no details
3/7 wto.org/english/news_e…
20 years talking past each other, 2020 deadline missed—until the UN Climate Change summit #COP26 and WTO Ministerial Conference #MC12 loomed
But no details
3/7 wto.org/english/news_e…
Some thoughts on the #EUTradeReview Annex on WTO reform that was released yesterday by @trade_eu. 🧵 bit.ly/2Ncrt4o
It reflects EU global governance leadership in action, quite clearly occupying large parts of the space the Trump administration has relinquished. 1/14
It reflects EU global governance leadership in action, quite clearly occupying large parts of the space the Trump administration has relinquished. 1/14
It's a sincere and pragmatic initiative aimed at tackling reform pressures that have built up since the collapse of the Doha Round until the demise of the AB, with an increasingly bold European signature. 2/14
Much of the document embeds already existing initiatives and work done on the ground into a coherent narrative with a clear vision for the future and purpose of the WTO. 3/14
