Works of the XI Ministerial Conference continue with the parallel facilitation of 5 Ministers on the thematic areas of agriculture (Kenya), Fishery subsidies (Jamaica), Development (Norway), E-commerce (Senegal), Services and NAMA (Paraguay).
36 hours away from the official closing of the conference, no concrete result is ensured. Well know positions are reiterated between those who support the old negotiating agendas (Doha mandate, development and SDT) – the heterogeneous group of developing countries/LDC – and the proponents of new issues such as e-commerce, investments and SME. United States cautious and critical towards the system defaults. President Malcorra keeps pushing for a consensual Ministerial Declaration. Italy has reaffirmed the centrality of the WTO within the trade multilateral system and has appealed for balanced outcomes between the necessary development dimension and the new themes of digital trade and transparency for SME.
