WTO Public Forum 2010: The Forces Shaping World Trade

Following decisions taken by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in August 2009, PACER Plus (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations) negotiations have begun, aiming to deepen economic cooperation between the 14 developing Pacific island countries (PICs) and Australia and New Zealand through a comprehensive, reciprocal regional trade agreement. PACER Plus builds on previous agreements within the Pacific region (SPARTECA, PICTA etc). The session discussed the aims of PACER Plus to assist the long-term economic development of the PICs through closer integration with two neighbouring developed countries, as well as implications for their integration into the global economy, and reinforcing WTO disciplines with potential value-add. The session included expert speakers and participants from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), the Institute for International Trade (IIT) at the University of Adelaide, and H.E. Mr Tim Yeend, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the WTO. Hosted by IIT, the session was moderated by Mr Raul Torres, Counsellor in WTO’s Development Division, a recent Visiting Fellow at IIT.