Daily update from Jo Leadbeater, European Health NGOs representative in Cancun.
Agriculture
The focus of the summit is agriculture.
The G20 is a major new initiative of developing countries, and is creting a major stir.
They are demanding major reform and confronting the traditional negotiation system which has seen the EU and US proposals adopted with little revision.
This is a substantial confrontation. The US and EU are madly briefing that this is a short term tactical alliance which will fall apart.
That was not the sense that the G20 sought to give at their press conference.
They spoke of a strategic alliance prepared to enter into a stand-off with the rich countries to make the world trade system in agriculture fairer.
They demand to be heard because ’their countries constitute half the world’s population, and the rationale of our position is fairness’.
We are being very supportive of the stance of the G20. There is some concern as to whether all members are equally committed to special and differential treatment for poor countries.
Gaining support from African countries, other than RSA, will be important in the coming days.
Investment
On Investment, the EU is sounding bullish and refusing to water down or reduce the number of ’Singapore issues’. Zoellick was luke warm, and no-one else is expressing strong support, but the bad news is that the Chair designated for this issue is from Canada.
TRIPS
Zoellick said how pleased he was with the result - "a demonstration that the WTO can change its rules to serve humanitarian need".
Oxfam and all of the health organisations issued a press release today on TRIPS - and we did a stunt and a press conference. For additional details see the website.
More information
If there are any questions that you would like to put to the Commission please send an email to the European Health NGOs representative, Jo Leadbeater.
