News

Change Trade, Not our Climate!

Original Publication Date: 
6 October, 2009
Source: 
Ronnie Hall
One way or another change is on the way: if we don’t change the rules of the global economy we won’t be able to limit climate change.

Global Turn Around!

A call to unite and confront the converging global crises of our times, replace the trade and investment pacts and related juggernauts of the corporate-driven global economy, and start building a sustainable economic future together.

End WTO Deregulation of Finance (OWINFS Financial Services Brief 1)

Original Publication Date: 
8 June, 2009
Source: 
SOMO

END WTO DEREGULATION OF FINANCE

"Free Trade" Agreements Contribute to Financial and Other Crises (OWINFS Financial Services Brief 2)

Original Publication Date: 
8 June, 2009
Source: 
SOMO
While the financial crisis and its consequences are spreading around the world and even the most erstwhile ‘free market’ governments are discussing how to re-regulate the financial sector, bilateral and regional ‘free trade’ agreements continue extreme deregulation of the financial industry. The terms of these agreements prohibit countries from reforming their financial sector so as to remedy the financial, economic, environmental, food and social crises now growing, and from ensuring that finance is directed towards the transformation to sustainable societies.

The Financial Crisis Does Not Justify a WTO Deal (OWINFS Financial Services Brief 3)

Original Publication Date: 
8 June, 2009
Source: 
SOMO
Many political leaders have been calling for the conclusion of the ‘Doha Round’ negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as a solution to the financial crisis, in order to provide a boost to the world economy and a signal of confidence to multilateralism. They argue that WTO rules prevent “protectionist measures”, closing of borders, and beggar-thy-neighbour policies, which led to the economic depression in the 1930s and the consequent wars.

The OWINFS Statement of Political Unity

STOP CORPORATE GLOBALIZATION:
ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE!
 
A Statement of Unity from
the OUR WORLD IS NOT FOR SALE Network:

INTRODUCTION: OUR CHALLENGE

“Our World Is Not for Sale” is a worldwide network of organizations; activists and social movements committed to challenging trade and investment agreements that advance the interests of the world’s most powerful corporations at the expense of people and the environment.

Global trade must serve the interests of sustainable development

Original Publication Date: 
2 December, 2009
Source: 
Trade Union Central of the Americas (TUCA)

Trade Unions in the Americas urge governments and trade negotiators gathered in Geneva to fulfill the commitments of the Global Jobs Pact
Victor Baez*

The trade union organizations affiliated to the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) have been closely following the Doha Round negotiations since they were reactivated in 2007. The trade union movement remains mobilized before the 7th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva.

Pronunciamiento de la ASC ante la nueva cumbre ministerial de la OMC

Original Publication Date: 
30 November, 2009
Source: 
Alianza Social Continental

Entre el 30 de noviembre y el 2 de diciembre de 2009 se realizará en Ginebra la VII reunión ministerial de la OMC. Será un nuevo esfuerzo de reanudar las negociaciones de la Ronda de Doha, iniciada hace 8 años, y un escenario donde los países desarrollados nuevamente intentarán imponer su propia agenda de liberalización y desregulación de los mercados.

Analysis of the new WTO Agricultura, NAMA texts of 6 December 2008

Original Publication Date: 
10 December, 2008
Source: 
Third World Network

Analysis of December 2008 draft texts by Chairs of the agriculture and NAMA negotiations at the WTO
By Martin Khor, Third World Network (www.twnside.org.sg) 10 December 2008

 

The Meaning of Seattle: Truth Only Becomes True Through Action

Original Publication Date: 
1 December, 2009
Source: 
YES! Magazine

WTO+10: Before 1999, the momentum of globalization seemed to sweep everything in front of it, including the truth. But in Seattle, ordinary women and men made truth real with collective action.

Abandon Doha -- Confront the Crisis!

December 4, 2009

Governments: Listen to Your People! Abandon Doha—Confront the Crises!

The U.S. needs a new deal on trade with more opportunities for American exports

Original Publication Date: 
30 November, 2009
Source: 
The Times
FOR weeks before the 1999 World Trade Organization Ministerial meeting in Seattle, state and local authorities had known that peaceful protests were being planned around the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. But as I drove through downtown on the night of Nov. 29 and saw waves of people returning from a rally waving placards, I got a sinking feeling that the anti-trade sentiment was stronger than people had anticipated. Was it ever.

Legitimacy of WTO Hangs by a Thread

Original Publication Date: 
30 November, 2009
Source: 
South African Civil Society Information Service
I've also just returned from a protest march against the WTO here in Geneva, attended by many people, including activists from many parts of the world.

G-10 COMMUNIQUE: November 30, 2009

Original Publication Date: 
30 November, 2009
Source: 
G-10
Ministers of the G-10 met in Geneva today (Monday 30 November 2009) ahead of the 7th Session of the WTO Ministerial conference that will start this afternoon. They assessed the state of play of the DDA negotiations and their priorities in the negotiations on agriculture.

Informal Group of Developing Countries COMMUNIQUE November 30, 2009

Original Publication Date: 
30 November, 2009
Source: 
Informal Group of Developing Countries
We, Ministers of the informal Group of Developing Countries met in Geneva on 30 November 2009 on the occasion of the 7th WTO Ministerial Conference, to coordinate positions and assess the ramifications of the rapidly changing international trading environment on our countries’ interests;

G-20 COMMUNIQUE November 29, 2009

Original Publication Date: 
29 November, 2009
Source: 
G-20
On the occasion of the VII WTO Ministerial Conference, the Ministers of the G-20 met in Geneva on 29 November 2009 to discuss the state of the play of the WTO Doha Round negotiations.

International Gender and Trade Network at the WTO Ministerial in Geneva

Original Publication Date: 
29 November, 2009
Source: 
IGTN

International Gender and Trade Network at the WTO Ministerial in Geneva

30 Nov – 2 Dec 2009

Nothing more could attest to the failure of the neoliberal dogma than the current global crises. Pure faith in the market as the sole and most efficient allocator of resources for society has dominated all aspects of economic policy (finance, trade, investments, public services delivery) and had negative consequences on people’s lives across nations, classes, ethnicities and gender. 

Derailing Doha and the pathway to a new paradigm: How WTO’s collapse clears the way to solve today’s food, fuel, and financial

Original Publication Date: 
30 July, 2009
Source: 
Victor Menotti
As experts dissect the collapse of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Doha round of global trade talks to explain its causes and effects, many are missing how it signals a shift in the sensibilities of people everywhere to end of the era of global free trade and renew government’s rightful role in regulating commerce, especially in the critical areas of fuel, food, and finance.