WTO members suspended the Doha round of trade talks in July 2006. Trade Forum reviewed 50 media sources for their reactions.

Most opinion-makers were seriously concerned about the future of world trade. There were also those who welcomed the breakdown in negotiations. Many voices called for restarting the talks, but few provided concrete solutions on how to do so.

A new trade democracy? Perhaps not yet, but signs of change are there.

A short time ago, people saw trade policy as a matter for economists outlining trade scenarios, government officials negotiating behind closed doors or business lobbies in Washington, Brussels, Geneva and other cities.

We need to address the “double face” of globalization and work towards sustainable economic and social development for all people.

How can African countries build the expertise to promote their interests more effectively in trade talks and derive gains from the trading system? The three Geneva-based trade development organizations ­— ITC, UNCTAD and WTO­ — are working together to boost countries’ abilities to play a more active role.

Despite the setbacks in Cancún, the Doha Development Agenda still offers opportunities for developing and transition economies — as this survey of the state of world trade talks makes clear.

Those who celebrated the failure of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancún were not from the business community. Business people reacted to the news with deep concern.

For multilateral trade negotiations to be relevant to developing and transition economies, there must be a greater focus on supply-side issues. To help countries become more competitive in global markets, there is a greater need than ever for practical, trade-related technical assistance. We also need to encourage South-South trade, currently the most promising area for trade growth among developing countries.

The Doha Ministerial Declaration places technical cooperation and capacity building at the core of the development dimension of the multilateral trading system. The Declaration reaffirms support for ITC’s work and recommends that it be enhanced. This article provides a summary of ITC’s programmes, tools and working methods that support the objectives of the Doha Ministerial Declaration.

Trade Forum magazine interview with Eveline Herfkens, Executive Coordinator for the UN Millennium Development Goals Campaign

WTO rules are increasingly being adapted as national trade laws. Businesses can help shape the rules as they develop — if they are committed to dialogue. Below, ITC answers some frequent questions it receives on the subject.

by Supachai Panitchpakdi, WTO Director-General

The world’s economy needs a significant boost to push it back onto a stronger growth path. A more open trading system can be a powerful stimulus in reviving the world’s economy and in helping poorer countries grow their way out of poverty. Cancún is not just about meeting targets and completing an agenda, it is about creating conditions for advancement in all countries. By working closely with government, businesses in developing countries can help ensure that the goals of the Doha Development Agenda are met.

WTO’s new Director-General addresses ITC’s Executive Forum on National Export Strategies.