|
Chrétien
opens congress with calls for new efforts in world trade
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| Prime Minister
Chretien: The developed world has an obligation to act on agricultural
reform |
Québec
City, 16 September 2003
- Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien opened ICC's 3rd World
Chambers Congress here today, telling the more than 800 international
business delegates the recent failure of WTO talks in Cancun had dealt
a blow to the world economy.
Describing the outcome
as "very worrisome", he called on the world's governments to
reconsider their positions and take action to salvage the Doha trade negotiations.
"I call on the
European Union and the United States, and all members of the WTO, to reflect
again on what happened last weekend (in Cancun) and to reconsider their
positions. It is not too late.
"Agricultural
subsidies of developed countries must be radically reduced to give developing
countries, particularly in Africa, the chance to improve the living standards
of their populations. The developed world has an obligation to act - and
to act quickly."
ICC Chairman Jean-René
Fourtou echoed the Canadian leader's concern for the failure of trade
talks in Cancun, saying the world business organization would redouble
its efforts to convince governments around the world of the urgency of
moving the Doha Development Round forward.
"If globalization
is to deliver benefits to all peoples in all corners of the globe, the
open rules-based multilateral trading system is vital," he said.
"The failure of the trade talks in Cancun is a great disappointment.
But it is only a setback. The world business community will now redouble
its efforts to convince governments to move this agenda forward. The stakes
are simply too high for us not to do so."
The Congress opening
ceremony, before a capacity audience representing business in some 88
countries, also heard from Québec Premier Jean Charest.
Mr Charest welcomed
congress delegates to Québec City, underscoring the important relationship
between chambers of commerce and their governments.
"Good governance
and stable institutions are key to the performance of the economy,"
he said. "We are committed here in Québec to providing both."
Adnan Kassar, former
chairman of ICC and of the World Chambers Federation (WCF), said the meeting
represented the continued growth in power and influence of WCF member
chambers.
"I call on chambers
everywhere to become more involved in the work of ICC," he said.
"This congress, like the two before it, will do much to intensify
cooperation between chambers all over the world."
His colleague, ICC
Vice Chairman Yong Sung Park, said the congress would "help chambers
of commerce throughout the world better participate in the world economy."
The 3rd World Chambers Congress has brought together more than 800 business
delegates from 88 countries. Delegates will spend the next two days sharing
expertise and discussing chamber best practice.
It comes nine months
before the next major world congress on international trade, the ICC World
Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco 6 - 9 June 2004. The Moroccan congress
is expected to reaffirm the commitment of world business to an open rules-based
multilateral trading system, and will inject further momentum into the
business campaign for a successful completion of the Doha Development
Round.
For further information
on the Congress, visit: or telephone ICC Communications Director, Bryce
Corbett in Quebec City: (+1 418 261 4989)
Prime
Minister Chretien's speech to the 3rd World Chambers Congress
World
Chambers Competition
3rd
World Chambers Congress
World
Chambers Federation website
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