ICC recommendations for completing the Doha Round

As a strong supporter of the rules-based multilateral trading system, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) -- which represents thousands of enterprises of all sizes and sectors in 130 countries -- calls upon all members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to redouble their efforts to bring the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations to a successful conclusion by the end of 2006.

Time is running out. Governments must undertake every effort to make progress on the core issues in concert in order to meet the deadlines established at Hong Kong and to achieve an ambitious, comprehensive and balanced result in the time remaining.

ICC believes that the objective of completing the Doha Round by the end of 2006 set at the Hong Kong ministerial conference remains achievable and that this constitutes the last best chance to arrive at a final substantial agreement acceptable to all members. The challenge is more political than technical. It requires the commitment of governments at the highest levels to find the political will to make compromises and difficult decisions on opening markets that recognize the common interest in success and the collective cost of failure.