archives: WTO InfoChretien opens congress with calls for new efforts in world trade
http://www.iccwbo.org/home/news_archives/2003/stories/chretien.aspQuebec City, 16 September 2003 - Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien 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-Rene 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 Quebec Premier Jean Charest.
Mr Charest welcomed congress delegates to Quebec 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 Quebec 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 six months before the next major world congress on international trade, the ICC World Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco. 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)
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