Dhaka Roundtable: Summary of Discussion

The Dhaka Roundtable brought together experts to discuss the future of the WTO in the face of evolving global trade patterns, such as the rise of mega-trade blocs and global value chains. Key deliberations focused on the viability of plurilateral negotiations as an alternative to the stalled Doha Round, the search for a permanent solution to public food stockholding, and the necessity of strengthening special and differential treatment (S&DT) for LDCs. Participants emphasized that LDCs face significant barriers to participating in global value chains, with LDCs accounting for only 8% of total value added. The summary also outlines the need to implement the Bali LDC Package, specifically regarding duty-free and quota-free market access and the operationalization of the services waiver, to ensure trade serves as a vehicle for socio-economic development post-2015.

• The WTO must reposition its negotiating modalities and operational approaches to remain relevant amid changes in global trade, including the rise of services trade, expanding global value chains (GVCs), and the emergence of mega-trading blocs like the TPP, TAIA, and RCEP.
• There is a lack of consensus on using plurilateral negotiations as a modality; supporters argue they can rescue the WTO from its current crisis and allow LDCs to remain engaged, while critics fear they create a "big boy’s club" that undermines multilateralism and the single undertaking principle.
• Regarding public food stockholding, participants sought a permanent solution to allow developing countries to buy food from low-income producers at administered prices for food security, though they disagreed on the specific mechanism, such as accepting the G-33 proposal or refixing reference prices.
• LDCs are severely underrepresented in global value chains, contributing only 8% of total value added compared to 27% for developing countries and 65% for developed countries, hindered by poor connectivity, landlockedness, and cumbersome business processes.
• The implementation of the Bali LDC Package requires rigorous analysis to ensure duty-free and quota-free (DF-QF) market access is commercially meaningful and that preferential rules of origin are not overly onerous.
• The Monitoring Mechanism for Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) should be evolved from a diagnostic forum into one with a prescriptive role to effectively address LDC concerns.
• To improve trade facilitation, LDCs need more than just customs-related support; they require financial and technical assistance for broader trade-related infrastructure, including transport and seamless connectivity, potentially through the BRICS Bank or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

APA

Rahman, M. (2014). Dhaka Roundtable: Summary of Discussion. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2014-11-22-WB-Roundtable-Dakar-Summary-of-Discusisons.pdf

Chicago

Rahman, Mustafizur. Dhaka Roundtable: Summary of Discussion. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2014. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2014-11-22-WB-Roundtable-Dakar-Summary-of-Discusisons.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rahman |first1=Mustafizur |title=Dhaka Roundtable: Summary of Discussion |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=November 2014 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2014-11-22-WB-Roundtable-Dakar-Summary-of-Discusisons.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rahman2014dhaka, author = {Rahman, Mustafizur}, title = {{Dhaka Roundtable: Summary of Discussion}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2014}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2014-11-22-WB-Roundtable-Dakar-Summary-of-Discusisons.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }