2014-06-12-south-africa-wb-multilat-roundtable-2014-report-4507f8c1681364a4.pdf

This report documents a roundtable held in Johannesburg in June 2014, focused on revitalising multilateral trade negotiations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) following the 2013 Bali package. The discussions centered on the rise of mega-regional trade agreements, the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the future of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), agricultural impasses, and the integration of African economies into Global Value Chains (GVCs).

• Mega-regional trade agreements, specifically the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), are viewed as responses to 'Doha pessimism' and the rise of emerging economies. These agreements aim to rewrite global trade rules to be 'deeper and stronger', covering areas such as investment security, intellectual property rights, and state-owned enterprises, but are expected to contribute little to the Doha agenda because they primarily involve advanced economies and exclude most developing nations, including the BRICS.
• The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) introduces a new paradigm for Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) by linking implementation to a country's capacity. Members categorize provisions into Category A (immediate implementation), Category B (implementation with additional time), and Category C (requiring additional time and technical assistance). While the TFA is seen as a potential model for future WTO agreements, concerns exist regarding the lack of mandatory obligations for donors to provide the necessary support.
• The Doha Round's progress is considered stalled, with the 2013 Bali package described by some as an 'illusion of progress' regarding agriculture. The 'single undertaking' approach—requiring agreement on all issues before any are adopted—is criticized as a structural mistake that has led to a deadlock since 2008, particularly concerning market access in agriculture.
• To resolve the agricultural impasse, a 'critical mass' approach is proposed. This would involve a voluntary, opt-in agreement among a smaller group of WTO members (e.g., 38 countries accounting for 80% of trade in 30 key agricultural products) to eliminate barriers on an MFN basis. Simulations suggest this would achieve a larger global result than the complex Doha modalities, though some governments fear it would create a 'multi-speed WTO'.
• Global Value Chains (GVCs) present both opportunities and risks for Africa. While some argue GVCs are a 'Washington Consensus' tool for unilateral liberalization that ignores industrial development, others suggest they offer a path for African countries to move beyond raw material exports. Success in GVCs is seen as depending more on 'behind the border' factors—such as logistics, infrastructure, and human capital—than on WTO market access negotiations.
• African countries are encouraged to adopt proactive strategies to avoid being marginalized by mega-regionals and GVC shifts. Proposed responses include autonomous regulatory reform, pursuing regional and bilateral agreements, and ensuring the WTO remains a vital force. There is a specific emphasis on developing regional value chains that link to global ones rather than focusing on import substitution.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). 2014-06-12-south-africa-wb-multilat-roundtable-2014-report-4507f8c1681364a4.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2014-06-12-South-Africa-WB-Multilat-Roundtable-2014-Report.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. 2014-06-12-south-africa-wb-multilat-roundtable-2014-report-4507f8c1681364a4.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2014-06-12-South-Africa-WB-Multilat-Roundtable-2014-Report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=2014-06-12-south-africa-wb-multilat-roundtable-2014-report-4507f8c1681364a4.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2014-06-12-South-Africa-WB-Multilat-Roundtable-2014-Report.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsnd20140612southafricawbmultilatroundtable2014report4507f8c1681364a4pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{2014-06-12-south-africa-wb-multilat-roundtable-2014-report-4507f8c1681364a4.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2014-06-12-South-Africa-WB-Multilat-Roundtable-2014-Report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }