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Fairtrade News |
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World Trade Talks Fail to DeliverDecember’s world trade talks in Hong Kong failed to agree moves to ensure a fairer deal for poor countries, according to ministers and campaigners. It was hoped that December’s talks would make significant progress in the fight for free and fair trade for the world’s poorest nations. But UK trade secretary Alan Johnson admitted the outcome was “disappointing”. An agreement was reached to reduce farm subsidies in the developed world by 2013. But Live 8 organiser Sir Bob Geldof said the deal failed to fulfil the hopes of anti-poverty campaigners. “It wasn’t total failure but it was very thin gruel after such an immensely successful year,” he said. Mr. Johnson agreed the summit had produced “limited progress” but said at least the talks hadn’t broken down altogether without agreement. He said he was hopeful that further advances could be made during 2006. “Overall the outcome was disappointing. While it was good the talks didn’t break down, it is fair to say we wanted much more progress than we achieved. “We should not underestimate the challenges ahead. Talks have moved slowly over the past four years and some of the trickiest terrain lies ahead. But we remain passionately committed to a successful round which has the potential to lift hundreds of millions of the world’s poorest out of poverty for good and entrench prosperity and security across the world. “This is a huge prize which we will continue to pursue with vigour,” he said. Oxfam, whose Make Poverty History campaign was the focus of Sir Bob Geldof’s Live 8 concert in Hyde Park in June, said an opportunity had been “squandered” to strike a deal that would relieve the suffering for millions worldwide. The charity said the trade talks had failed to deliver the trade
justice deal needed to make poverty history and the agreement reached
was “far from just” for the poor of the world. Call or email us now on 0845 6120 690site developed by Buzzin' Fly
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