The forgotten Millennium Development Goal

Many of the world’s leading figures in international trade have gathered in New Delhi, India, for a conference which the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) quipped is perfect timing and a “pre-engineered plot” on the part of the organisers.

Referring to the failed Doha talks in Geneva last month, in which member countries of the WTO failed to reach an agreement on future trade negotiations, Pascal Lamy acknowledged that during these “turbulent times”, at a moment when multilateralism and international co-operation are being challenged, more partnerships are needed as global problems, such as the current food crisis, require global responses.

It is this theme – Global Partnership for Development – which is the central focus of the conference being held on 12 and 13 August 2008 and organised by CUTS, a leading civil society organisation, in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the India Office of the World Bank, and the Department of Commerce, Government of India.

At a “difficult juncture in international trade talks”, Pradeep Mehta, who heads CUTS, described the meeting as a “historic opportunity” for those present to engage in whole-hearted and frank debate.

“We owe it to the poor around the world,” he said at the inaugural session, which included trade and finance ministers, trade negotiators, academics and representatives from businesses and civil society organisations. “The question is, can we do it?”

The eighth Millennium Development Goal – Developing a Global Partnership for Development – the theme for the conference was described by Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith, as “the forgotten MDG” during his opening address.

He emphasised its importance in seeking to hold both rich and poor countries accountable for advancing the MDGs.

The two important targets under this MDG are to ‘develop further an open, rule based predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system’ and to ‘address the special needs of the least developed countries, landlocked countries and small island states’.

“In terms of these two targets it seems that very little progress has been made during the last seven years or so. The promise that the Doha Round held out in these two areas has not been realised,” Mr Smith said.

The global partnership indicated in this MDG, he added, is intended to promote poverty reduction and social and economic development.

“This cannot be achieved if trade shocks or other adjustment measures affect vulnerable groups disproportionately and exacerbate poverty.”

Another Millennium Development Goal target noted by Mr Smith is that of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.

“It is imperative that the global development community responds effectively to the current food and fuel crises. A large number of other poor and small countries are seriously affected,” said Mr Smith, adding that “it is clear that the architecture currently does not exist to provide effective support to these countries at the time when they need it most.”

Secretariat Links:

• Country Profile: India
• Economics and Trade