The on-going World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires (MC 11) are headed towards a lacklustre finish with no concrete outcome expected in important areas such as public stockholding, fisheries subsidies and services.
Instead, member countries have to satisfy themselves with work programmes with a hope that some tangible result would be delivered at the next Ministerial meeting two years later.
On agriculture and public stockholding, the group's chair said that consensus was eluding on the matter. "In public stockholding, the chair said that there was a clear stalemate and post-Ministerial work needed to begin," pointed out WTO spokesperson Keith Rockwell.
In the area of fisheries subsidies, there could not be an agreement on interim solution for banning illegal, unregulated, unreported (IUU) fishing. The proposal that members will try and reach an agreement by MC 12 was something members could endorse, Rockwell said.
On e-commerce, Rockwell said the chair was trying to find a landing zone and will hold bilaterals. The best way forward is to continue the existing structure with some improvements in role of GC pertaining to cross-cutting issues.
In investment facilitation, the chair said those who supported the talks will continue their discussion post Buenos Aires regardless of the situation.
On MSME, a draft ministerial declaration has support from 84 WTO Ministers, but also strong opponents. It calls for a work programme and working group under the General Council.
"Opponents said that while they are ready to support MSMEs, they fear that this may lead to negotiations," Rockwell said.