Notes of informal meetings of the Global Services Network meeting on 21 September 2001 at 4:30 pm at Rooms 404-405 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre at the World Services Congress (Post WSC GSN Meeting)
Co-hosts:
Dr. W K Chan (HKCSI), Mr. Bob Vastine (USCSI), and Mr. Kubota (Japan Services Network)
Approval of GSN Statement
1) Participants discussed the draft GSN paper. Modifications were suggested. It was agreed that a paper would be useful for organizations to present to their respective governments to reflect the wishes of the businesses community.
2) On the role of the GSN, Dr. Chan drew participants' attention to the last sentence of the draft, as follows:
This statement is made jointly by individuals participating in the GSN meetings in Hong Kong at the World Services Congress, and does not necessarily represent a commitment by their organizations.
3) It would be impractical to go through a formal approval process of the statement by every individual organization related to the GSN. Rather, the intention was to take advantage of the presence of GSN members at the WSC to agree on a paper to help provide further drive for liberalization. As such, this would not necessarily be a “GSN statement issued by the GSN on behalf of members”, but a GSN paper reflecting views of those who took part in the WSC.
4) There was a view that the GSN was originally formed as a network for exchange of information on the WTO negotiations and services liberalization, not as an organization that would put out policy statements. A statement of principle was developed when it was formed, and these principles could be updated but they should be kept at a high and general level and not be too specific. As the GSN developed, however, more details would naturally emerge.
5) It was agreed that the paper would be treated as one developed in the Hong Kong WSC and noted by participants of the GSN meeting in Hong Kong. Individuals or organizations may or may not have agreed to the paper although the paper was aimed to achieve a high level of consensus.
6) Some members indicated that the paper would help them develop their own statements.
7) A number of the Quad government representatives concurred that the paper would be useful for governments to note the private sector’s wishes and to set goals for the negotiations.
8) Some members suggested, and it was agreed, that the final paper, subject to modifications to resolve outstanding problems, should be presented to various governments and brought to Doha for consideration. It was noted that Mr. Mike Moore has called for open support from the business community to give politicians the endorsement and support for a new round.
9) Some organizations have developed their own policy papers already and this paper could be used as a complementary or supplementary document.
10) It was agreed that the paper would not be treated as a position statement and there would not be any approval proceeding. There was consensus that it was a useful resource despite the divergence of concerns. After suitable re-drafting, this GSN-developed paper can then be used by individual participants, put on the website, and be sent to the WTO and negotiators.
11) Some modifications were then suggested on re-drafting certain points in the paper, e.g. on impact of liberalization for developing countries, market access for developing country exporters, human resource constraints, etc.
12) The WSC summary and conclusions were tabled and noted.
Qatar/The next GSN meeting/The next WSC
13) There should be CSI meetings every year and a WSC every other year. The timing could be (i) Doha in 2001, then (ii) Geneva or elsewhere for the usual meeting in 2002, and (iii) a WSC in 2003. A number of attendees indicated that they are intending to be in Doha, and Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh kindly offered to help provide a meeting venue for the group if needed while in Qatar.
14) ESF indicated that it might be interested in organizing an interim conference in Brussels or Geneva. Funding might be a concern and sponsorship might have to be sought.
15) The possibility of a seminar in Geneva on a back-to-back basis with a planned PROGRES seminar on 12-13 September was suggested.
16) The decision on the next World Services Congress could be put off till later. Interested organizers should be encouraged to come forward at the next gathering in Geneva or elsewhere.
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