World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy is prepared to tell G20 leaders that preparing the next steps in the Doha Round of trade negotiations has been done; the road is mapped out, but they still have to walk it. The G20 leaders meet in Pittsburgh this Thursday and Friday. The plans were outlined in Geneva by capital-based senior officials, who want to conclude the Round by 2010.
An intensive, structured program for work is scheduled over the next three months with the participation of senior officials each month. "This is what Ministers in Delhi asked us for," Lamy said. "It is also what the objective needs of the negotiating process require if we are to be back on track, and stay on track, to conclude next year. It is an important step, and I appreciate the effort."
Lamy says he is cautious in his forecast and it would be premature to predict today that the necessary political engagement will in fact take place over the next three months. The Director–General expects to be in a position to judge by December whether or not this has happened.
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