Summary
The meeting organized by the United Nations Executive Committee on Economic and Social Affairs Working Group on Trade.
Representatives from developing countries said the Aid for Trade initiative was an opportunity to help trade serve as a catalyst for progress in their nations, especially considering the increased globalization and economic liberalization expected to result from the Doha Round and other trade talks and agreements.
Participants in the meeting said the Aid for Trade initiative must be sizeable and an addition to current aid programmes to respond to the vast needs for trade development in developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
Speakers, which included international agencies and representatives of the donor community, called for national, regional and global coherence in the Aid for Trade programme, and said the contribution of the UN system in implementing Aid for Trade Initiative through trade-related technical assistance and capacity building programmes is particularly important.
They noted that UNCTAD XII can contribute to strengthening such international efforts.