Benn warns WTO over 'bias' against poorer countries

Continued bias against poorer countries in the international trading system represents a possible threat to peace and security for us all, the Secretary of State for International Development has warned negotiators at the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) General Council in Geneva this week.

In a hard-hitting speech, Hilary Benn today called on negotiators at the WTO to deliver "real benefits to the world's poorest countries" – otherwise developing nations would lose faith in the whole process.

The Minister also said that the richest WTO members needed to make the "greatest movement in the negotiations", if there was to be consensus.

"If these talks collapse, the main losers will be those the current round was designed to assist - developing countries and their citizens. We risk undermining developing countries' faith in the rules-based multilateral system if we don't reach agreement. We risk withdrawing into bilateralism and weakening the rules-based multilateral system - from which all stand to gain: rich and poor. We risk undermining global security by not tackling inequities in our global order," he said.

Mr Benn stressed that this was a "critical moment for the multilateral trading system", and for making the system work for the world's poor.

Movement is needed before the US elections and the change in European Commission later this year – as it may limit the negotiating capacity of the two major negotiating powers – he added.

More than one in four of the world's population live in extreme poverty. Governments worldwide have agreed to work together to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015, and to other targets including universal primary education and improved healthcare. The British government is "strongly committed" to the targets.

(gmcg)