Talal Abu-Ghazaleh & Co International and the Center for Applied Studies in International Negotiation (CASIN) jointly hosted an initiative launching meeting announcing the establishment of Abu-Ghazaleh CASIN Multilateral Trade Capacity Building.
The meeting which was followed by a dinner was well attended by representatives of the Arab League, special advisor to the WTO General Director, and representatives of the diplomatic mission in Geneva.
The new initiative was presented by Mr. Jean Freymond and Talal Abu-Ghazaleh. It should be worth noting that all the participants thought that the new program is urgent and timely, and were strongly supportive without limitations. The meeting was very interactive and the diplomats presented very constructive and useful remarks that will help in developing the program. It was agreed that the first program will be “Train the Trainers” in Geneva for 6 weeks in English and the rest will be in Arabic.
The following four programs are offered and prepared by CASIN:
A Train the Trainers Program;
Wide-ranging Introductory Programs for Varied Audiences;
Issue Centered Programs, addressing selected issues, such as
implementing a specific agreement, dispute resolution, etc. and designed for technical staff from participating countries, responsible for the specific issue;
Country Programs, which would be tailored, to respond to expressed national interests country by country. These would focus on chosen trade negotiation issues decided in close cooperation with the specific country.
Meanwhile, TAGI will aim to make these programs meet the Arab needs and to ensure that they are delivered in the Arab World in Arabic on a continuous basis because negotiations is an ongoing process. The programs will serve all the needs of all the Arab governments and private sector stakeholders for the broad Multilateral Trading System.
The following recommendations were made by their excellencies Arab mission representatives to be taken in to the program development:
Take into consideration the need of generalization, such as the
models, and simulations will be based on Arab Free Trade Area project in order to meet the Arab economy needs.
To have a special program for Capacity Building in accession
negotiations in view of the fact that many Arab countries are in that phase and others will follow.
It was recommended that the programs will be both Arab regional and country oriented.
AGCASIN will offer a list of the programs to the capitals out of
which they may choose or request additional prams and indicate priority order.
That AGCASIN will coordinate and develop these programs in
collaboration with the Arab League office in Geneva.
That the programs address the subjects listed in the Doha Round as a priority in view of the fact that the Arab governments will have more impact on the forthcoming multilateral negotiations particularly in services.
To consider as a program or an MBA in World Trade in collaboration with the WTO and universities.
The Arab diplomats emphasized that such training programs need to be in Arabic and of a practical nature in order to address some of the differences particularly in legislative changes to adapt with the WTO agreements.
In addition to the funding by the Arab countries, funding should be sought from the Arab funding agencies in addition to the international funding being sought.