G 20

The April 30 deadline for modalities was missed. This is the first Hong Kong decision that is not fulfilled and the expectations of the DDA are postponed again. This situation cannot be taken lightly. We cannot fail to meet the central deadline of concluding the Round this year and we are running out of time.

This requires a renewed commitment to a successful, ambitious Round that delivers on the development objectives of the DDA. The G-20 is determined to firmly engage in a concentrated collective effort to achieve full modalities well before summer in a transparent and inclusive way, respecting the bottom up approach that confers legitimacy to the process.

The G-20 is ready to continue working constructively on all issues. The G-20 proposals remain a sound basis for agreement. The Group will revisit its own and other Members’ proposals as may be necessary to contribute toward securing progress and convergence.

The DDA is a development Round. It will only be successful if it results in benefits for all Members, in a fair and equitable manner.

To this end, it is essential that the main subsidizers improve their proposals in domestic support and their current offers in market access to provide an adequate basis for achieving the results that we are all striving for. We call upon the developed countries to make the necessary decisions promptly.

We recall that special and differential treatment remains an integral part of all the three pillars of the agriculture negotiation. The situation of large rural poor populations in developing countries must be a central concern in the discussion of market access modalities, based on the criteria of food, livelihood security and rural development needs. An ambitious outcome in cotton is a priority in that context.

The G-20 remains committed to an ambitious, pro development, outcome from the Round in 2006. This will strengthen the multilateral trading system and inscribe development at the heart of it.