WORLD TRADE WT/L/200
28November 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-5032)
Original: English
SIXTH SUMMIT MEETING OFTHE SUMMIT LEVEL
GROUP OFDEVELOPING COUNTRIES
(GROUP OFFIFTEEN)
Communication from Zimbabwe
Thefollowing communication, dated 18November 1996, hasbeenreceived fromthePermanent
Mission ofZimbabwe.
_______________
ThePermanent Mission oftheRepublic ofZimbabwe totheUnited Nations Office andother
International Organizations atGeneva presents itscompliments totheDirector-General oftheWorld
Trade Organization (WTO) andhasthehonour toforward tothelatterthefollowing documents obtaining
fromtherecent Summit Meeting oftheSummit Level Group ofDeveloping Countries (Group ofFifteen,
G-15) heldinHarare, Zimbabwe from 3to5November 1996:
(i) TheJoint Communique oftheSummit entitled "The Current International Trading
System andProspects forthePromotion ofTrade among Developing Countries".1
(ii) Statement bytheG-15 Heads ofState/Government ontheWorld Trade Organization
ontheoccasion oftheSixth Summit Meeting.2
Initscapacity astheImmediate PastChairman andmember oftheTroika oftheG-15, the
Permanent Mission ofZimbabwe kindly requests theDirector-General tocirculate thedocuments to
allmember States oftheWTO fortheirinformation. ThePermanent Mission would bemostgrateful
ifthedocuments could becirculated ahead oftheforthcoming WTO Singapore Ministerial Conference.
1Reproduced inAnnex I.
2Reproduced inAnnex II.WT/L/200
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ANNEX I
Joint Communiqué oftheSixth Summit oftheSummit
Level Group ofDeveloping Countries
(Group ofFifteen)
TheCurrent International Trading System and
Prospects forthePromotion ofTrade
Among Developing Countries
We,theHeadsofStateandGovernmentoftheSummitLevelGroupforSouth-SouthConsultation
andCooperation -theGroup ofFifteen havemetinHarare, Zimbabwe, from 3-5November 1996
forourSixthSummit, devoted toareview oftheinternational economic situation andcooperation among
developingcountries.Followingcomprehensiveandin-depthdiscussion,wehavearrivedatthefollowing
conclusions:
A. OVERVIEW
1. World economic growth continues tobedriven byarapidly growing international trade and
investment flows compared toworld output. Theeconomies ofallStates areincreasingly geared to
suchflows andtheinterdependence derived fromthem accentuates theneedforapositive integration
ofallcountries intotheglobal economic system. Theprospects forspreading growth across countries
andregions largely depends upongreater participation ofdeveloping countries incurrent flows oftrade
andinvestment.
2. While potentially creating prospects fortradeandinvestment expansion andgrowth, thecurrent
trends ofglobalization andliberalization haveavariable impact oneconomies depending ontheirdegree
ofdevelopment andtheirability toadapt totheincreased dynamism oftheglobal market. Theuneven
impact ofglobalization andliberalization isfurther compounded bynewchallenges toourcountries
confronted withincreasing competition andissues ofaccess tomarkets, capital andnewtechnologies.
3. Thecurrent discussion ondevelopment isincreasingly sidelining itsexternal dimension.
Development canonlytakeplace inasupportive international economic environment inwhich major
industrial countries shoulder aspecial responsibility. They should coordinate astrategy ofeconomic
expansion toraise demand, accelerate andstabilize world growth, undertake significant policy
adjustments, promote sustained andsubstantial flows ofOfficial Development Assistance (ODA), and
promote asystem offinancial cooperation capable ofpreventing theemergence ofserious financial
crises andreducing theleveloffinancial volatility.
4. Intheareaoftrade, wehavewelcomed theUruguay Round results andtheWorld Trade
Organization (WTO) system asamilestone towards liberalization andreinforcing multilateralism and
avoiding unilateral actions. Liberalization hasaccelerated thegrowth ofinternational trade and
consequently, improved theprospects foreconomic growth. Atthesame time, forsome developing
countries rapid trade liberalization hascaused short-term difficulties andtheriskofmarginalization.
5. Intheareaofinvestment, newphenomena related totherapid transfer ofvolatile capital require
examinationbytheinternationalcommunity.Inthisregard,volatilityofcapitaldemandsurgentdecisions
ontheneedforstronger action andgreater coordination onmonetary andfinancial issues inorder toWT/L/200
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dealwithemergency situations thatthreaten theprospects ofsustainable development ofdeveloping
countries aswellastheeffective functioning offinancial institutions.
6. Although thedevelopment process hasbeenuneven andgeographically concentrated inlimited
areas andnations, inrecent years thecontribution ofdeveloping countries tothegrowth andtheinter-
dependence oftheglobal economy andtrade hasbeenfarinexcess oftheirrelative economic weight.
They nowaccount forasubstantial share oftheadditional external demand andtherefore constitute
asignificant growth factor forinternational tradeandtheworld economy. Developing countries today
areattheforefront oftradeliberalization andhavetelescoped thisprocess intoamuch shorter time-frame
compared toliberalization byother countries overthepastfewdecades.
7. There hasbeenanotable upsurge inthegrowth ofintra-regional trade, including sub-regional
tradeamong developing countries. Thetrendhashowever beenunevenly spread, withthemostdynamic
increases inAsiaandLatin America. Africa haswitnessed onlymarginal growth ofintra-regional
trade.Theemergenceofdynamicgrowthpointswithinthedevelopingworldoffersunexploredpotentials
forincreased trade among these countries andregions.
8. Among developing countries there aremany, particularly theleastdeveloped andweakest,
whocontinue tofaceableak future duetostructural impediments. International cooperation isvital
toassist these countries toovercome poverty andmarginalization anddependence onprimary
commodities, indebtedness, economic stagnation andlackofinvestment resources.
9. Wewelcome theconsensus reached attheNinth Session oftheUnited Nations Conference
onTradeandDevelopment(UNCTADIX)onthechallengesandopportunitiesarisingfromglobalization
andliberalization andonthepartnership fordevelopment reaffirmed intheimpetus given bytheMidrand
Declaration tothe"solidarity inaction" thatshould guide international cooperation onthese issues.
Forglobalization tobemeaningful andbeneficial todeveloping countries itmustbefacilitated bythe
international community, since thefullintegration ofdeveloping countries intotheworld economic
system constitutes theveryessence ofthephenomenon ofglobalization.
B. INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
10. Trade, investment andtechnology continue tobekeyelements toeconomic development and
arethemaindriving forces behind increasing interdependence andtheemergence ofaglobal market.
Increased access ofproducts andservices ofdeveloping countries toglobal markets would havean
important effect onindividual welfare anddevelopment oftheireconomies.
11. Developing countries looked tothesuccessful conclusion oftheUruguay Round sothatthe
international community seizes theunprecedented opportunity ithastobuild anequitable, secure and
rule-basedtradingsystem,andthatitwouldopenopportunitiesforthebeneficialintegrationofdeveloping
countries intotheinternational trading system andworld economy. TheWTO thathasemerged from
theUruguay Round iscomprehensive initscoverage oftheMarrakesh Agreements. Italsoincorporates
amultilateral disputes settlement mechanism which cansafeguard therights ofdeveloping countries.
12. Adiversity ofother challenges stillabound: Inanumber ofcrucial areas, thenegotiated results
oftheUruguay Round fellshortoftheexpectations ofdeveloping countries andtheyhaveyettorealize
theexpected welfare increase andbetter market access. Inanumber ofdeveloping countries theoutcome
ofmacro-economic reforms andtheliberalization initiatives linked totheUruguay Round remained
unpredictable duetoquestions overtheircompatibility withdevelopment needs andinterests andtheir
sustainability.WT/L/200
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13. Furthermore, theimplementation oftheUruguay Round inareasofexport interest todeveloping
countries hasbeeninadequate andtardy. Trading opportunities ofdeveloping countries arebeing
neutralized through theuseofprotectionist measures including those taken unilaterally andintheguise
ofenvironmental, social orquality related concerns. Thissituation needs toberemedied. Inrespect
ofsectors andareas oftrade ingoods andservices where developing countries haveacomparative
advantage, thereisneedforfurther liberalization andincreased market access forexports ofdeveloping
countries. Alsothere isarealriskthatsome developing countries, particularly theleastdeveloped
among them, willbefurther marginalized unless assistance isprovided bytheinternational community.
14. Thecurrent trading system ischaracterized byanunbalanced international trade growth. It
isalsocharacterized byanewcommercial geography withthecoming intotheinternational trading
scene bysome developing countries. Asmall butdynamic number oftrading nations, areseemingly
achieving thebreakthrough from thetraditional circle ofdeveloping countries. Thisisapositive
development thatholds valuable experience andmotivation forother developing countries. Developing
countries havealready taken andshould endeavour tocontinue topursue measures aimed attrade
liberalization andincreased participation ininternational tradeincluding thereduction andconsolidation
oflowtariffs, theelimination ofquantitative restrictions, andtheremoval ofadministrative, import
andother trade impediments. Trade liberalization measures adopted bysome developing countries
have notyetresulted intheir increased participation ininternational trade. Greater international
cooperation should beexerted tothatend.
15. Tobenefit fullyfromthemultilateral trading system, developing countries should enhance their
capacities ofutilizing allthetrading opportunities created bytheUruguay Round. Export conditions
fordeveloping countries goods andservices willbeenhanced bythetradeliberalization process triggered
bytheUruguay Round, including thestaged reductions ofindustrial tariffs, phasing outofrestrictive
quotas under theAgreement onTextiles andClothing, reduction ofbarriers andsubsidies affecting
agricultural trade andliberalization intheservices sectors. However, there areanumber ofrelated
difficulties facing developing countries inmajor markets, particularly tariffpeaks, preference erosion,
tariff escalation andtheabuse ofanti-dumping measures andcountervailing duties. Further trade
liberalization should beundertaken fromadevelopment perspective. Demands forconcessions from
developing countries overandbeyond whatisprovided forintheUruguay Round Agreements would
adversely affect theability ofdeveloping countries tomanage theirsmooth integration intotheworld
trading system.
16. Appropriate macroeconomic frameworks andinfrastructures willbenecessary fordeveloping
countries torespond tomarket access changes created bytheUruguay Round. Capacity building will
therefore playacrucial role. Developing countries efforts inthisareashould becomplemented by
technical assistance fromboththetradeandfinancial institutions aswellasbilaterally andshould focus
onhuman resources development, institutional building, strengthening oftheprivate sector, especially
thesmall andmedium enterprises.
17. Animportantchallengefordevelopingcountriesisthatofactivelyparticipatinginthemultilateral
trading system toexercise andsafeguard theirrights, promote theirtrade anddevelopment interests
andensure thatthese aretaken intoaccount intheevolving andfuture international trade agenda.
18. Thecredibility ofthemultilateral system would bestrengthened byuniversality ofmembership
ofWTO. Acceding totheWTO remains achallenge tosome countries theachievement ofwhich could
enhance thecollective impact ofdeveloping countries within theinternational trading system. Subject
tocompliance withWTO rules, examination ofapplications formembership should beaccelerated
intheworking parties inview oftheimpact ofglobal membership bothwithin national economies
andontheinternational trading order. Inthisregard, there should beflexible consideration towardsWT/L/200
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applications foraccession bydeveloping countries andtechnical assistance should begiven uponrequest,
tothecountries concerned inorder tofacilitate theprocess.
19. Theexperience oftheWTO during itsfirsttwoyears ofexistence clearly defines theneed
fortheeffective implementation ofexisting agreements fortheconsolidation ofthemultilateral trading
system. Atthesametimethisexperience hasbrought totheforeconsiderable pressures anddifficulties
fordeveloping countries. Institutional andother requirements likemeeting notification obligations,
thechanging ofdomestic laws, areproving acomplex anddifficult task.
20. Interest inregional trading arrangements continues unabated. Ononehand, thereareconcerns
thatthesearrangements could result intradedistortions andpolarization intoexclusive economic zones.
Ontheotherhand,andfordevelopingcountriesinparticular,sucharrangementscouldcreateanenabling
environment forthedevelopment ofcompetitive industries andnewexport markets, strengthen their
economies andincrease their integration andparticipation ininternational trade. TheWTO has
established amechanism toexamine andmonitor theevolving relationship between regional trading
arrangements andthemultilateral trading system. Itisvitalthatthesupremacy ofthemultilateral
trading principles andrulesshould beupheld andatthesametimeensure thatthebenefits andnecessity
ofregional cooperation berecognized. Emphasis should hence beplaced onconsistency and
complementarity between thetwoprocesses.
21. TheGeneralizedSystemofPreferences(GSP)continuestobeimportantfordevelopingcountries
inexpanding trade andinvestment. Theerosion ofpreferences andgraduation clauses areissues of
serious concern todeveloping countries. Schemes under GSPshould berenewed andadjusted toensure
meaningful emergence ofpreferences, expanded product coverage toinclude products ofexport interest
todeveloping countries, andliberalization ofnon-tariff measures associated withGSP.
22. Theninth session ofUNCTAD agreed onfar-reaching proposals toensure thatdeveloping
countries facethechallenges andseizetheopportunities oftheinternational trading system. Wewelcome
these proposals whose faithful implementation isintheinterest ofbothdeveloped anddeveloping
countries, andthepositive reassertion ofUNCTAD 'sanalytical andconsensus-building roleintrade
anddevelopment issues. Itisalsointheinterest ofallcountries thatamutually beneficial trading
system continue todevelop through further consolidation andthestrengthening oftherules-based system
oftheWTO. Ourcountries willshoulder theirresponsibilities toachieve these objectives andcall
onourdeveloped country partners todotheirpart.
C. WORLD TRADE AGENDA
23. TheforthcomingfirstWTOMinisterialConference,tobeheldinSingapore,offersanopportunity
totakestock oftheimplementation ofUruguay Round Agreements, thedirection ofthemultilateral
trading system anditscontribution toultimate objectives ofgrowth anddevelopment. Clearly themost
overriding taskbefore theMinisters willbeareview oftheimplementation oftheUruguay Round
agreements since theentry intoforce oftheWTO inJanuary 1995. Such areview should identify,
ononehandprogress thathasbeenmade andontheother, shortcomings thatwillrequire renewed
andconcerted effort withaviewtostimulating implementation inareasofexport interest todeveloping
countries. Onthebasis oftheprevailing situation itisreasonable toassume thatthisissuealone will
occupy aconsiderable partofthefocus oftheMinisters.
24. Compliance withnotification requirements oftheUruguay Round Agreements isessential for
thefunctioning ofthemultilateral trading system. Itisonthisbasisthatourcountries canassess whether
other members liveuptotheircommitments which impact onourcountries ability tobenefit from
theresults oftheRound. However, thefulfilment ofWTO notification requirements hasbecome a
burdensome taskparticularly forsome developing countries. Theenormous amount ofnotificationsWT/L/200
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tobepresented andthedoubts onhowtocomply withsuchrequirements hasincreased thedifficulties
fordeveloping countries tobenefit from theresults oftheRound.
25. TheSingapore Ministerial meeting oftheWTO should initsreview address issues ofincreased
market access fordeveloping countries, forexample intheareaoftextiles andclothing, agriculture,
footwear andleather goods, tropical products, manufactures, etc.Ministers should alsoreview the
increased useoftradepolicy instruments astradebarriers suchasexcessive useoftransitional safeguards
andproliferation ofanti-dumping actions bysome developed countries.
26. Itwillbeimportant fortheMinisters toassess therespect for,andtheimplementation of,
commitments inthevarious WTO agreements onmarket access liberalization andtrade rules.
Appropriate emphasis should beputontheneedtostrengthen thecapacity ofdeveloping countries
tobenefit from trade inservices package oftheUruguay Round andtoparticipate innegotiations on
further liberalization inthisarea.
27. Ithasbeenrecognized thatduring thereform program leading togreater liberalization oftrade
inagriculture, Least Developing Countries (LDCs) andnetfood-importing developing countries may
experience negative effects interms oftheavailability ofadequate supplies ofbasic foodstuffs from
externalsourcesonreasonabletermsandconditions,includingshort-termdifficultiesinfinancingnormal
levels ofcommercial imports ofbasic foodstuffs. TheMarrakesh Ministerial decision inthisregard
should beeffectively andspeedily implemented.
28. Thedispute settlement mechanism oftheWTO isafundamental guarantor ofthesurvival and
well-being ofthemultilateral trading system. Thetrend bybothdeveloped anddeveloping country
members tohaverecourse tothemultilateral dispute settlement iswelcome. TheroleoftheDispute
Settlement Body (DSB) willbestrengthened byprompt response torequests from members forthe
treatment ofdisputes andmonitoring prompt compliance withitsrecommendations. Ontheotherhand,
theDispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) willbeweakened byunilateral measures. Thus far,the
DSB hasfunctioned inamanner thatstrengthens thecodified rules, andpromotes theprogressive
development ofinternational trade law.
29. Inaddressing thebuilt-in agenda, theWTO should adhere tothetime-tables setintheUruguay
Round Agreements. Attempts toadvance andreopen issues onlyjustpainstakingly settled willcall
intoquestion thecredibility oftheWTO. Thepursuit ofthebuilt-in agenda should include areas of
export interest todeveloping countries. Developing countries arehardputandneedtimetoabsorb
andadjust tothevastsetofrules andinstruments ofWTO. WTO alsorequires timetostrengthen
itsmonitoring mechanisms andthefunctioning ofitsdispute settlement body. Acomprehensive and
balanced preparatory work forfurther liberalization oftradeinagriculture should beundertaken after
theSingapore Ministerial Conference.
30. Trade andenvironment policies should reinforce oneanother andbemade mutually supportive
inorder toattain thegoalofsustainable development. Itneeds toberecognized thatlinkages between
trade andenvironment arecomplex. Trade isnottheprimary cause ofenvironmental problems.
Linkages requiring further examination include therelationship between theprovisions ofMultilateral
TradeSystem(MTS)andMultilateralEnvironmentalAgreements(NEAs),andtheeffectofenvironmental
measures onthemarket access ofdeveloping countries. Itshould berecognized thatenvironmental
standardsshouldreflectthedevelopmentalcontext(Rioprinciple11),avoidtheestablishmentofdisguised
protectionistmeasureswithenvironmentaljustifications(Rioprinciple12)andthatinaddressingcommon
environmental problems there aredifferentiated responsibilities. Insuggesting effective approaches
toaddress environmental problems, consideration should begiven tothetransfer ofenvironmentally
sound technologies andproducts todeveloping countries onfavourable, non-commercial andequitable
terms. Great importance isgiven totheremoval ofalltraderestrictions anddistortions having anegativeWT/L/200
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effect ontheenvironment. Inseveral areas, further study andempirical work arerequired inorder
toclarify trade andenvironment linkages.
31. Developing countries havebeencarrying outtrade andmacroeconomic reforms aiming at
sustained economic growth. Their efforts canbeimpeded bytheuseofunilateral actions bymajor
economies inparticular thosewithextraterritorial effects. Suchactions poseadanger forthemultilateral
trading system andthedevelopment prospects forourcountries. Furthermore thelinkage ofissues
totrade andthethreat tousetrade measures toachieve domestic objectives poses adanger forthe
multilateral trading system andthetrade prospects forourcountries.
32. Agrowing anddiverse number ofissues havebeenproposed fordiscussion andplacement
ontheagenda oftheWTO. Most ofthese issues arecomplex. Member States havetaken divergent
positions ontheappropriateness oftheproposed introduction oftheseissues attheWTO. Some consider
theproposed newissues aspresenting risksofoverload andcontroversy forthetrading system whereas
others deem theissues asappropriate, strengthening andincreasing thepotential benefits ofthe
multilateral system. Having regard forthedivergencies, itisnecessary tofirstthoroughly review and
build consensus ontheproposed newandother issues outside acontractual framework. Thereview
should bebased ontheirtrade-relatedness, theappropriateness oftheWTO asaforum fordiscussions,
theextent towhich theissues either strengthen orweaken theMTSandaffect thecomparative advantage
ofdeveloping countries andcompetitive advantage oftheirfirms.
33. Thetradeandinvestment relationship isofamulti-faceted nature encompassing interaliaissues
oftechnology transfer, industrialization andnational development objectives. Itisnecessary tolay
theground forconsensus building inaforum suchasUNCTAD todetermine theimplications for
developing countries andarrive ataconsensus before embarking onrule-making inanyforum.
34. Another issueisthedevelopment ofmultilateral competition policies. Considerable work has
beengoingon,especiallyinUNCTAD,onthelinkagebetweentradeandcompetition.Thereistherefore
abasis forfurther analytical work andclarification ofthisinterface inpreparation fornegotiating a
possible multilateral instrument.
35. Thequestion oftherelationship between trade andinternationally recognised corelabour
standards hasrecurrently beenmentioned asanewissuetobeincluded within theworld tradeagenda.
Theissue clearly fallswithin themandate andspecific competence oftheInternational Labour
Organization (ILO).
36. Theoverall trading anddevelopment prospects ofdeveloping countries arealsolinked to
"coherence" intheformulation andimplementation ofmonetary, financial andtradepolicies. National
policies anddecisions onthese areas affect policies andeconomic performance ofother nations.
Developing countries inparticular, remain vulnerable toexternal economic developments. These
developments haveserious implications fortheirtrade, Balance ofPayments (BOPs) debtservicing,
investment flows, sustainable growth anddevelopment. TheMinisterial Declaration inMarrakesh
ontheissue ofglobal coherence wasinrecognition oftheimportance ofmultilateral action onthis
front. There isroom foraninitiative topropel forward work inthisareaandtheSingapore conference
provides Ministers withsuchanopportunity.
D. PROMOTING SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION
37. UNCTAD IXaptlystated that"no-one candoforuswhatwewillnotdoforourselves". The
primary responsibility forthedevelopment andintegration ofourcountries intotheglobal trading system
restswithourselves. Cooperation among developing countries istherefore animportant element in
thechain ofthenecessary conditions forourcountries tomaximally gainfromthetrading opportunitiesWT/L/200
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created bydomestic reform, globalization andliberalization andregional trading arrangements. The
economic success ofsome developing countries aswellastheemergence ofdynamic regional groupings
ofdeveloping countries could beasource ofimpetus toSouth-South cooperation.
38. Some developing countries haveachieved significant regional cooperation intrade, investment
andothereconomicareaswithsubstantialandpositivechangesintheirproductioncapacities,international
competitiveness andinvestment attractiveness. These regions represent notonlypositive experiences
fromwhich other countries canbenefit butalsoimmense potential forincreased cooperation withother
developing countries. Within theframework oftheSouth-South cooperation, thosedeveloping countries
which areinaposition todoso,would bewilling toshare experiences andtooffertechnical assistance
totheLDCs inorder toincrease theircapacities inmeeting thecommitments oftheUruguay Round
andfurther, toenhance theircapabilities toutilise more fullythebenefits from theRound.
39. Theinternational trading system presents fresh challenges andopportunities forcooperation
among developing countries. Duetointensifying economic convergence developed anddeveloping
countriesincreasinglysharecommonconcernsincertaintradeissues.Inotherareashowevertheinterests
ofthetwogroups aredistinctly divergent. Consultation andcoordination among developing countries
could foster theirsolidarity andmutual support during tradenegotiations toensure thattheircommon
anddiverse trade anddevelopment interests aretaken intoaccount.
40. TheGlobalSystemofTradePreferences(GSTP)remainsthemostimportantandvalidmechanism
fortherealisation ofincreased tradeamong developing countries. Thatitsimpact onpromoting South-
South cooperation hasremained marginal isamatter ofconcern. Thestrengthening oftheGSTP
following theconclusion ofthesecond round ofnegotiations isnecessary toenhance itseffectiveness,
coverage andmembership, including expanded preference toleastdeveloped countries.
41. TheGroup of15hastaken somesignificant initiatives topromote cooperation among developing
countries, including trade, investment, information exchange andbusiness development. The
operationalization oftheCommittee onInvestment Trade andTechnology (CITT) should deepen and
intensify thiscooperation when ourcountries begin implementing theprioritized work programme of
thecommittee.
42. Thiswork programme isaimed atincreasing thecapacity ofdeveloping countries tocopewith
thechallenges ofthenewtrading environment. Itwillalsoenhance thework ofother related
arrangements forSouth-South cooperation, particularly theBusiness andInvestment Forum (BIF).
43. Priorities willfocus ontheimprovement ofsources andresources forthedissemination of
business information, including information networks, tradeinformation inventories; tradepromotion,
including trade fairsandbusiness exhibitions; technology cooperation; investment promotion; and
policy consultations ontrade liberalization andnegotiations. These arealsoareas withconsiderable
scope fortechnical cooperation among ourcountries.
44. Wewelcome andaccept theoffermade bytheGovernment ofMalaysia tohostourSeventh
Summit Meeting in1997.
45. Wethank thepeople andtheGovernment ofZimbabwe fortheirhospitality andtheexcellent
arrangements made fortheholding oftheSixth Summit Meeting oftheGroup ofFifteen.WT/L/200
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ANNEX II
Statement bytheG-15 Heads ofState/Government onthe
World Trade Organization ontheoccasion oftheSixth Summit Meeting
We,theHeads ofState/Government oftheGroup ofFifteen, meeting attheRetreat, discussed
atlength issues pertaining totheWorld Trade Organization (WTO). Inthisregard, wedeclare as
follows:
Development andtheimprovement oftheeconomic well-being ofallnations should underpin
allactivities oftheWorld Trade Organization (WTO).
Wehadplaced great expectations ontheUruguay Round negotiations. Wehadhoped that
thefinalresults would reflect theinterests ofallparticipants andcontribute especially tothedevelopment
ofthose ofourcountries thatmost needed thesupport oftheinternational community.
TheWTO Agreements thatemerged from theUruguay Round failed tomeetsome ofthese
expectations. Nonetheless, wecommitted ourselves toabide bytherules, meet thechallenges and
explore theopportunities arising from thebirthoftheWorld Trade Organization.
Ourcountries continue tofacetremendous difficulties inimplementing thepresent Agreements.
Wehaveagreed thattheforthcoming firstbiennial Ministerial Conference oftheWTO inSingapore
shouldconcentrateonreviewingthefunctioningandimplementationofexistingagreements.Themeeting
should focus onasearch forconcrete andmeaningful measures tofurther theimplementation ofthe
agreements. Inthisconnection, particular attention should bepaidtotheneeds oftheLeast Developed
Countries.
Wewould liketoreiterate thattheWTO isconcerned withrules oftrade between nations.
Wehaveagreed toresist anyattempts tobring labour andother social issues under theumbrella of
theWTO. There areother fora,including theInternational Labour Organization (ILO), where these
matters canbediscussed.
Wecommit ourselves toengage inconsultations within ourregional organizations onthese
pressing matters before theSingapore Conference.
Weareinstructing ourMinisters responsible fortrade issues tomeetprior toorduring the
Ministerial Conference withaviewtoreaching common positions onthese issues.
Weexpressedseriousconcernovertherecentenactmentofnationallegislationandotherunilateral
measures having extra-territorial effects. These measures violate theaccepted norms ofinternational
lawandconstitute aserious threat tothesovereignty ofnations. Thefuture oftheworld trading system,
thelegitimacy oftheWTO andtheprosperity ofbothdeveloping anddeveloped countries depend on
therespect byallnations forestablished principles andrulesofinternational jurisprudence. Weshare
theinternational community 'sfirmcondemnation ofthesedevelopments andurgeallcountries torefrain
from suchpractices.