Commonwealth Trade Ministers to meet on the eve of Doha Round Talks

"A successful Doha Round plays a critical role in enabling developing countries to attain the Millennium Development Goals and eradicate poverty."

The Commonwealth meeting will take place on the eve of the sixth WTO Ministerial Conference, which will be held from 13 to 18 December, also in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology John Tsang and WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy will address the Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting. It will provide an opportunity to consolidate the Commonwealth's position ahead of the Doha Round negotiations.

The Commonwealth accounts for 40 per cent of the WTO membership and 20 per cent of global trade.

The Trade Ministers Meeting in Hong Kong comes two weeks after the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta on 25-27 November, which issued the Valletta Statement on Multilateral Trade.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said: "The Valletta Statement on Multilateral Trade contained a powerful message from 52 Heads of Government. It calls for fairness and equity in multilateral trade issues, and for developed countries to give more than they receive. It also calls for special attention to small states and Least Developed Countries.

"The Commonwealth rejects the notion being carried by some to Hong Kong that the level of ambition for the Doha Round should be lowered. Developing countries expect much from the Doha Round, and the Commonwealth - which is present in all major WTO negotiating groups - is determined to restore development dividends to the heart of the Doha Round.

"A successful Doha Round plays a critical role in enabling developing countries to attain the Millennium Development Goals and eradicate poverty."

Click here for the full text of the Valletta Statement