WORLD TRADE WT/FIFTY/H/ST/11
19May1998
ORGANIZATION(98-2081)
Original: English 50thANNIVERSARY
Geneva, 19May1998
NORWAY
Statement byH.E. Mr.Kjell Magne Bondevik,
Prime Minister
Halfacentury agoforward-looking representatives from 23countries -including myown-
adopted asystem ofbasicrulesforinternational trade. Therecent experience ofthesefounding fathers
hadbeenavicious circle ofincreased protectionism, economic stagnation, chaos andwar-inthatorder.
Against thisbackdrop, andtoprevent history fromrepeating itself, theyweredetermined tostimulate
growth bycreating aneworder based onrights andobligations between States. Theframework has
since beenfurther developed, bothinscope andsubstance. Butthecoreprinciples haveremained the
same: gradual andmutually agreed market opening, non-discrimination, predictability, transparency
andconsensus.
Noonecantellwhatadifferent system -orindeed whatanabsence ofmultilateral traderules -
might haveledto.Looking back, Ibelieve itisfairtosaythattheprovisions andprinciples ofthe
GATT -andlateroftheWTO -havemade adecisive contribution totheprogress large parts ofthe
world havewitnessed during thelatter partofthiscentury. Iamnotspeaking ofeconomic growth
alone, butjustasmuch ofthesocial achievements, employment andpolitical stability which prosperity
generates. These arefundamental values. Themultilateral trading system oftoday thusconstitutes
animportant partofaglobal framework thatfosters stability andpeaceful relations.
Theviability ofthissystem isproven bythefactthatithasincreased itsmembership from
23to132countries. Inaddition 31applicants areintheprocess ofacceding, withmajor players like
China andRussia among them. Iwelcome them tojoinonagreed terms, toobtain therights andto
takeontheobligations inlinewithother Members. Iamconfident thatinthenearfuture wewill
beabletocalltheWTO atrulyglobal organization. Thepolitical significance ofthiswillbemajor.
Asweapproach universal WTO-Membership itisincreasingly difficult, andimportant, tofind
abalance ofMembers 'interests. Inparticular Iamconcerned about thecurrent situation ofthe
least-developed countries. Together these48countries account foramere0.4percentofworld trade.
Halfofthemarenotmembers ofWTO. Their exportable products often meetmarket access barriers.
Thismarginalization ofthepoorest countries must becountered. Trade-related technical assistance
programmes should befurther developed andinternational coordination ofsuchactivities should be
improved. Market access should bewidened. WTO 'sability tobring thebenefits ofincreased trade
toallthepeoples oftheworld willbeafundamental criterion forfuture assessment ofitssuccess.
Globalization hasbecome afrequently used expression. Theprocess ofglobalization is
transforming ourworld andeconomic structures inanunprecedented manner andspeed. Itisa
revolutionary process. Forsome thisisseenasapositive development, creating closer tiesand
interdependence between countries andpeoples around theglobe. Others haveadifferent andmore
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sceptical perception oftheglobalization: Theyquestion theeffects oftradeandinvestment liberalization
andfreecapital flows. They fearthatourdemocratic institutions arelosing control oftheinternational
economic forces andthatenvironmental andsocial costs willbehigh. These arelegitimate concerns
related tofundamental issues regarding thewellbeing ofmankind. Ifglobalization cannot answer
these concerns, many people willnotseeitasapositive development.
Globalization isacomplex issue. What wehaveseensofarisonlythebeginning. Yetitsends
astrong message. Asglobalization accelerates, itsimpact willbefar-reaching -onworld trade, and
onthedevelopment ofoursocieties inthewider sense. Itis,therefore, important thatwehavethe
bestpossible understanding oftheconsequences ofthese processes -oftheopportunities which they
open, andthedilemmas thattheypose.
Onthisbackground myGovernment hasdecided toorganize inNorway early nextyear, an
international symposium ontheeffects ofglobalization. Itisourambition thatsuchaconference can
provide usnotonlywithabetter understanding oftheissues athand, but,alsocontribute tobuilding
aconsensus onhowweshould address them. Important issues fortheconference willbetrends and
prospects forthedevelopment oftheworld economy -consequences fordemocratic governance, the
environment, andforthedeveloping countries. Ihavenoted withinterest thatformer Director-General
ofthisOrganization, Peter Sutherland, hasadvocated theneedforabroad international debate onthese
issues. Thepurpose ofoursymposium istocontribute tothatend.
Withregard totheWTO, Ialsoseeaneedtodiscuss howqualitative aspects -suchashealth,
consumer protection, foodsafety andenvironment -could bebrought more intofocus. Although ILO
hasthemainresponsibility, labour standards should alsobeanissuefortheWTO. Byworking towards
continued improvements, intherules concerning these issues, wewillstrengthen thecredibility of
thesystem anddemonstrate theneedforinternational cooperation inthese areas.
Although increased regional cooperation continues tobeanecessary andwelcome development
inaddressing common problems between countries, theglobal character ofsome ofourmostpressing
challenges mustbemetthrough improved andexpanded multilateral cooperation. Representing asmall
country,withahighdegreeofdependenceoninternationaltradeandinvestment,Icannotover-emphasize
this.
Themultilateral trading system hasalways responded inapragmatic waytothechallenges
ithascome upagainst, largely duetotheprinciple ofconsensus indecision-making. Thisisavaluable
feature thatshould besafeguarded asweenteranewerainthehistory ofthemultilateral trading system.
Further improvements andfine-tuning ofthetraderuleswillundoubtedly befeltnecessary. Increased
openness isimportant, Letuswalkthispathtogether, inthepositive spirit ofcooperation thathasbeen
present sofar.
Icongratulate alltheMembers, theDirector-General andtheSecretariat oftheWTO onthese
first50years,andpledgethatNorwaywillcontinuetocontributeconstructivelytothesystem'scontinued
success.
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