We, members of the International Parliamentary Network (IPN), founded on occasion of the World Parliamentary Forum in Porto Alegre/Brazil, are deeply committed to the idea that another economic and trade paradigm is possible, which benefits the majorities of the populations all over the world.

We believe that the present economic world order, with the Bretton Woods organisations as the leading institutions on economic and financial questions on the one hand, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the other, does not lead to this aim. Since the creation of the WTO, in 1995, the gap between the rich and the poor has widened dramatically. The Doha Development Agenda, agreed upon at the Fourth Ministerial in November 2001 in the capital of Qatar, is not worthy of its title.

In the run up to the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the WTO, which is going to take place in Cancún/México, on September 10-14, 2003, we as parliamentarians, propose the following minimum set of demands to be covered by the conference agenda. We engage ourselves to support these demands in all parliamentarian debates and resolutions before the Ministerial and to lobby for them during the Conference itself.

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10 Demands in the run up to Cancún

1. Ensure Democratic Scrutiny

The WTO process of negotiating, concluding and implementing binding agreements cannot only be an intergovernmental affair. We believe that elected bodies should play their role in the whole process of the negotiating and implementing WTO agreements. Governments’ positions on trade issues should be discussed beforehand in parliaments and be co-decided by elected bodies in all WTO member states.

2. Settle pending issues first and build consensus

The time is not ripe for the negotiation of new WTO treaties on investment, competition, public procurement or customs regulations (the so-called “Singapore Issues” or “New Issues”). It is not acceptable to enlarge the WTO’s competencies in this way whilst at the same time side-stepping the settlement of issues that promote the aim of sustainable development. A large number of issues pending since the creation of the WTO are still not being sufficiently negotiated, concluded and implemented. The WTO has missed the deadlines on Implementation issues, Special and Differential Treatment, TRIPS and Public Health and Modalities on agriculture, amongst others. The launch of negotiations on the “Singapore Issues” would unduly enlarge the competencies of the WTO and serve the interests of corporations in the EU and the US, against the interests of the developing world.

3. Maintain and strengthen core public services

The present negotiations on GATS (General Agreements in Trade of Services) put into danger affordable access to public services. No demands should be imposed on WTO members, particularly developing countries, to privatise their public services, especially water collection, treatment and distribution, energy, education and health. Certain service sectors, such as water and sanitation, have a special status in developing and least developed countries, impacting directly and dramatically on people’s daily lives, and therefore require special treatment.

4. Access to Medicines must be guaranteed - public health comes first

At the WTO Ministerial in Doha in November 2001 an agreement was reached on the issue of access to essential medicines. We call on all WTO members to stick to the Doha commitment concerning the outstanding question of compulsory licences for imports (paragraph 6 of the Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health). In this context we remind them that to impose new constraints as part of the solution to the paragraph 6 problem would violate the spirit of that Declaration and be justifiably seen by developing countries as evidence of bad faith. Each country must have the ability to produce or import generic medicines if needed to protect public health.

5. No patents on life

Patenting of life forms must be prohibited in order to preserve biodiversity, food security and indigenous peoples’ rights and protect them from corporate control of genetic resources. At present, patenting is governed by the WTO Agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Its Article 27.3b however, allows a revision of provisions dealing with patents on life forms. We support the developing countries in their demand to implement Article 27.3b and particularly the position taken by the Africa group. This calls for a clarification that plants, animals and micro-organisms should not be patentable; that a “sui generis” system of plant varieties protection can include systems that protect the intellectual rights of indigenous and farming communities; that TRIPS be made to harmonise with the Biodiversity Convention and the FAO Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources.

6. Protect the independence of Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs)

The WTO is the only international set of rules with sanctioning power. This, however, does not mean that it is superior to any other internationally agreed set of rules. Environmental concerns, for instance, should not be subject to the WTO. The protection of the environment is not a trade distorting measure to be sanctioned by the WTO, but a necessary means to guarantee our common future. Therefore we object to any moves/wording towards WTO-compliance for MEAs, as proposed by US and EU, but rejected by the majority of the participants of the WSSD in Johannesburg.

7. Uphold perspective on “multifunctionality” in agriculture worldwide

Consumers and producers worldwide are interested in rural development, environmental protection and animal welfare. The right of peoples to nourish themselves, as well as the issues of food and water security are fundamental for our common future. Trade rules can and should be consistent with these objectives.

8. Meet the needs of Developing Countries - abolish export subsidies

Subsidies and other export support mechanisms distort the agricultural supply chain. They mainly serve the profit aims of big agroindustrial exporters, putting into danger the survival of small peasants everywhere, in the North as in the South. Only a sustainable practice and fair trade are able to guarantee the existence of agriculture and food security for the future. We ask for the suppression of agricultural export subsidies of all countries, especially industrialised countries.

9. Improve workers rights

We call on WTO members to respect the ILO Convention and its core labour standards especially freedom of association for workers. International regulations on labour standards must remain a competence of the ILO and cannot be used as a projectionist or trade barriers mechanism. We ask for the WTO to respect ILO decisions and to grant observatory status for the ILO in the WTO.

10. Apply precaution and sustainability principles systematically

The one size-fits all approach cannot be applied to unequal partners. Trade is a means, not an end in itself. In order to avoid adverse effects - market access often turns into market displacement - impact studies concerning the sustainability of trade measures in its three aspects (social, environmental and economic) should be carried out, before negotiations start. Each country shall be free to make its own determination of risks to the health and well-being of its citizens and its environment and to take precautionary measures accordingly.

Signatures to the Declaration of the IPN on the WTO Ministerial in Cancún

19/09/05

Members of the European Parliament

1. AINARDI, Sylviane GUE/NGL France
2. AUROI, Danielle Greens/EFA France
3. BERTINOTTI, Fausto GUE/NGL Italy
4. BOUDJENAH, Yasmine GUE/NGL France
5. BOUMEDIENE-THIERY, Alima Greens/EFA France
6. CARLOTTI, Marie-Arlette PES France
7. CARNERO GONZáLEZ, Carlos PES Spain
8. CAUDRON, Gérard GUE/NGL France
9. CERDEIRA Carmen PES Spain
10. DEHOUSSE, Jean-Maurice PES Belgium
11. DE KEYSER, Véronique PES Belgium
12. DE ROO, Alex Greens/EFA Netherlands
13. DE ROSSA, Proinsias PES Ireland
14. DESIR, Harlem PES France
15. DHAENE, Jan Greens/EFA Belgium
16. DI LELLO, Giuseppe GUE/NGL Italy
17. EVANS, Jill Greens/EFA Wales
18. FERREIRA, Anne PES France
19. FIGUEIREDO, Ilda GUE/NGL Portugal
20. FRAHM, Pernille GUE/NGL Denmark
21. FRAISSE, Geneviève GUE/NGL France
22. FRASSONI, Monica Greens/EFA Italy
23. GEBHARDT, Evelyne PSE Germany
24. ISLER BEGUIN, Marianne Greens/EFA France
25. JONKHEER, Pierre Greens/EFA Belgium
26. KRIVINE, Alain GUE/NGL France
27. LANNOYE, Paul Greens/EFA Belgium
28. LIPIETZ, Alain Greens/EFA France
29. LUCAS, Caroline Greens/EFA UK
30. MARKOV, Helmut GUE/NGL Germany
31. MARSET CAMPOS, Pedro GUE/NGL Spain
32. MARTINEZ Miguel Angel PES Spain
33. MAYOL i RAYNAL, Miquel Greens/EFA France
34. MENDILUCE PEREIRO, Jose Maria PES Spain
35. MIRANDA, Joaquim GUE/NGL Portugal
36. MORGANTINI, Luisa GUE/NGL Italy
37. NOGUEIRA, Camilo Greens/EFA Galicia/Spain
38. PATRIE Béatrice PES France
39. ROD, Didier-Claude Greens/EFA France
40. SAUQUILLO PEREZ del ARCO, Francisca PES Spain
41. SAVARY Gilles, PES France
42. SCHOERLING, Inger Greens/EFA Sweden
43. SCHROEDTER, Elisabeth Greens/EFA Germany
44. THEORIN, Maj Britt PES Sweden
45. TRENTIN Bruno PES Italy
46. TURMES, Claude Greens/EFA Luxemburg
47. VACHETTA, Roseline GUE/NGL France
48. VALENCIANO, Elena PES Spain
49. VAN LANCKER, Anne PES Belgium
50. VINCI, Luigi GUE/NGL Italy
51. WUORI, Matti Greens/EFA Finland
52. WURTZ, Francis GUE/NGL France
53. WYN, Eurig Greens/EFA Wales
54. ZRIHEN, Olga PES Belgium

Argentinian Parliament

55. CASTRO Alicia Frente para el Cambio

Austrian Parliament

56. LUNACEK, Ulrike Greens
57. MANDAK, Sabine Greens
58. VAN DER BELLEN, Alexander Greens

Belgium Senate

59. CORNIL ,Jean PS
60. DEROECK Jacinta Agalev
61. MAHOUX, Philippe PS
62. VAN DUPPEN Jos SP.A

Belgium Chamber

63. DI RUPO, Elio PS
64. LALIEUX, Karine PS
65. BOUKOURNA, Mohammed PS
66. GERKENS, Muriel Ecolo
67. VAN DER MAELEN Dirk SP.A

Brazilian Parliament

68. Dr ROSINHA PT
69. ZIMMERMAN Tarcicio PT
70. MURAD Jamil PCdB

Canadian Parliament

71. NYSTROM, Lorne New Democratic Party
72. PAQUETTE Pierre Bloc Québécois
73. BLAIRIE Bill
74. CRETE, Paul Bloc Québecois

Chilean Parliament

1. AVILA Nelson

Colombian Parliament

75. ALMENDRA, Lorenzo
76. ARENAS, Pedro
77. ALVEIRO SILVAS, Venus
78. BORJA DIAZ, Wilson
79. LOPEZ, Alexander
80. NAVAS TALERO, Germán
81. PETRO, Gustavo
82. SINESTERRA, Herminsu
83. ZARRATE, Hugo

Congo senate

1. ISSANGA

Cuban Asambla Nacional

84. 1. CERFARTY, Osvaldo PCC
85. 2. GONZALES Leonel PCC

East African Legislative Assembly

86. 1.OVONJI-ODIDA Irene

El Salvador Parliament

87. 1. AYLES Anacristina FMLN
88. 2. BONILLA BLANCA FMLN

French Senate

89. AUBAN Bertrand PS
90. AUTAIN, François Loire/Atlantique
91. BEAUDEAU, Marie-Claude CRC
92. BAUFILS, Marie-France CRC
93. BIDARD-REYDET, Danielle CRC
94. BLANDIN Marie-Christine Verts
95. BORVO, Nicole CRC
96. BOYER Yolande PS
97. BRET, Robert CRC
98. CAZEAU, Bernard PS
99. CERISIER-BEN GUIGA Monique PS
100. COQUELLE, Yves CRC
101. DAVID, Anne CRC
102. DEMESSINE, Michelle CRC
103. DIDIER, Evelyne CRC
104. DOMEIZEL Claude PS
105. FISCHER, Guy CRC
106. FOUCAUD, Thierry CRC
107. FRAYSSE, Jacqueline CRC
108. LAGAUCHE, Serge PS
109. LE CAM, Gérard CRC
110. LUC, Hélène CRC
111. MATHON, Josiane CRC
112. MUZEAU, Roland CRC
113. POURTAUD Danièle PS
114. RALITE, Jacques CRC
115. RENAR, Yvan CRC
116. TERRADE, Odette CRC
117. WEBER, Henri PS

Assemblée Nationale, France

118. BARTOLONE, Claude PS
119. BIANCO Jean Luc PS
120. BOUSQUET Danielle PS
121. BRAOUZEC, Patrick CRC
122. CARRILLON-COUVREUR, Martine PS
123. CHANTEGUET, Jean-Paul PS
124. CHARZAT Michel PS
125. CHASSAIGNE, André CRC
126. BOCQUET, Alain CRC
127. DESALLANGRE Jacques
128. DRAY, Julien PS
129. DUTOIT, Frédéric CRC
130. EMMANUELLI, Henri PS
131. FLOCH, Jacques PS
132. GERIN, André CRC
133. GLAVANY, Jean PS
134. GOURIOU Alain PS
135. GREMETZ, Maxime CRC
136. HOLLANDE, François PS
137. JAMBU, Janine CRC
138. KUCHEIDA Jean-Pierre PS
139. LE DEAUT Jean-Yves PS
140. LE GUEN Jean-Marie PS
141. LEBRANCHU, Marylise PS
142. LEFORT, Jean-Claude PS
143. LE ROUX Bruno PS
144. LINIERES-CASSOU Martine PS
145. LONCLE François PS
146. MONTEBOURG Arnaud PS
147. PEREZ Jean-Claude PS
148. TOURTELIER Philippe PS
149. QUILES Paul PS
150. VIDALIES, Alain PS

German Bundestag

151. PAU Petra PDS

Honduras Parliament

152. ALEGRIA, Rafael UD
153. GUTIERREZ, Gladys UD

Indian Parliament

154. KHARABELA Swain BJP

Italien Congress

155. DONATI, Anna Greens
156. SERENI, Marina DS
157. CRUCIANELLI, Famiano DS

Italian Senate

158. MARTONE, Francesco Greens

Israeli Knesset

159. BRONFMAN, Roman Meretz/The Democratic Choice

Mexican Senate

160. BURGOS OCHOA Leticia PRD
161. COLDWELL Addy PRI
162. ESCALANTE Aracely PRI
163. GARCIA MEDINA Maura PRD
164. HIGUEIRA GERARDO Ricardo PRD
165. SARCEDO Mario PRD

Mexican Chamber

166. ARMAND Francisco PVE
167. BOCERRA Enrique PRD
168. GARCIA OCHOA Juan Jose PRD
169. GARCIA IAGURRA Eliana PRD
170. MICHER Martha PRD
171. ORTEGA Hector PRD
172. PORTILLO Cristina PRD

Nicaraguyan Parliament

173. PALACIOS Alba FSLN

Norwegian Parliament

174. LANGELAND, Hallgeir H. SV
175. JACOBSEN Bjon SV

Spanish Parliament

176. BORELL, Josep PSOE
177. LLAMAZARES, Gaspar IU
178. PAJIN IRAOLA, Leire PSOE
179. SAURA LAPORTA, Joan Iniciativa per Catalunya Verds

Scottish Parliament

180. RUSKELL, Mark Scottish Green Party
181. BALLANCE, Chris Scottish Green Party

Uruguayan Parliament

182. BARAIBAR Carlos Frente Amplio

Venezuela, Asamblea Nacional

183. GUTIERREZ, Ricardo MVR
184. SAAB, Tarek William MVR
185. VIVAS Darrio MVR
186. CHAVEZ, Virgilio MVR
187. VARELA RANGE, Iris MVR

Venezuela (Parlatino)

188. CORREA, Rafael MVR
189. DURAN, Filinto MVR

Venezuela (Parlandino)

MADRIZ Janne