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Established in 1983-84 as a rural development communications initiative, Consumer Unity & Trust Society

(CUTS) is now at the cutting edge of the consumer movement in India as well as across the globe, and

has expanded into trade and development, competition, investment and economic regulation, and human

development. Today, CUTS, with a staff strength of over 100, operates out of:

three programme centres in Jaipur (CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics &

Environment, CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research and Training, and CUTS Centre for

Competition, Investment & Economic Regulation), one in Chittorgarh (CUTS Centre for Human

Development)

an advocacy centre in New Delhi, and a Centre in Calcutta (focusing on Consumer Safety and

Grassroots Economic Development), India, and

four centres at Lusaka, Zambia; Nairobi, Kenya; Hanoi, Vietnam and Geneva, Switzerland.

The organization elects its Board/Executive Committee every fourth year, while the Secretariat is headed

by the Secretary General. Over 1200 individuals and 300 organisations are its members. The

organization is accredited to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and

the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development (UNCSD).

CUTS works with several other regional, national and international organizations, such as: Consumer

International (CI); the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD); South Asia

Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment (SAWTEE); World Trade Organisation (WTO); the World

Bank; International Finance Corporation (IFC); Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

(OECD); the Commonwealth Secretariat, East Africa Community Secretariat; various development

cooperation and trade ministries all over the world, and in India, various federal and state ministries and

departments, National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD), the Consumer

Coordination Council of India etc. It also serves on several policy-making bodies of the Government of

India.

The vision of CUTS is consumer sovereignty in the framework of social justice and equality, within and

across borders. In all its work, it follows the method of research based advocacy and connects the

grassroots with the international policy making processes.

CUTS International, Geneva was established with initial inputs and support from CUTS, in 2008 under

the name CUTS Geneva Resource Centre and has since been renamed CUTS International to better

reflect the spread of the activities of the Centre beyond Geneva and their international character.

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From the Secretary General, CUTS ............................................................................................................... 5

From the Chairman of the General Assembly................................................................................................ 7

An overview by the Executive Director .......................................................................................................... 9

I. The Organisation ................................................................................................................................ 11

1.1. Introduction and Establishment .................................................................................................... 11

1.2. Strategy ........................................................................................................................................ 12

1.3. Organisational Structure .............................................................................................................. 12

II. Projects ................................................................................................................................................ 15

2.1. Facilitating Equitable Agricultural Development in Africa (FEAD) Project ................................... 15

2.2. Reflections from the frontline: Developing Country Negotiators in the WTO ............................... 18

2.3. The PACT EAC project ................................................................................................................ 19

III. Other initiatives ................................................................................................................................... 24

3.1. Fourth United Nations conference on Least developed countries ............................................... 24

3.2. Symposium on Trade in Primary Products Markets and Competition Policy .............................. 24

3.3. Assisting Developing Countries in the WTO ................................................................................ 25

IV. Partnerships and Outreach ................................................................................................................ 27

4.1. Partnerships ................................................................................................................................. 27

4.2. Joint events .................................................................................................................................. 27

4.3. Outreach events ........................................................................................................................... 29

4.4. Representations ........................................................................................................................... 30

4.5. Other Outreach Activities ............................................................................................................. 32

V. The Road Ahead .................................................................................................................................... 33

5.1. Consolidation – Value-Added Delivery ........................................................................................ 33

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5.2. Expansion – Growth with Sustainability ....................................................................................... 34

VI. Audit Report ........................................................................................................................................ 37

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The first year of the second decade of the 21st century accentuated many of the trends and challenges

that we have been witnessing. The world is changing before our eyes and old ways of thinking and

managing global issues must be adapted to suit the changing realities. It is useful to outline the major

drivers of this change to better understand and respond.

New global economic geography. While the OECD countries continue to face economic

slowdown, BRICS contribution to global GDP, trade and investment flows, development

assistance and ultimately to innovation and technology development is growing. They also

provide alternative and growing markets to other developing countries as well as lessons for

poverty-reducing growth.

Proliferation of bilateral, sub-regional, regional, and intra-regional agreements. They are diverting

attention and resources from multilateral approaches and solutions, creating a web of overlapping

and inconsistent rules and marginalizing smaller developing countries.

Growing demand for natural resources. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in emerging

economies, global population growth, expanding world middle class, and inefficient resource use

is contributing to growing demand for raw materials, water, land and energy with long-term

increase in prices of land, water and ecosystems leading to volatility and increase in relative price

of food commodities, rise of disputes over allocation of resources between countries (e.g. water)

and more export restrictions on natural resource-based products.

Global value chains (GVCs): Innovation-production-marketing networks are now dispersed across

firms and countries. This has led to greater fragmentation of manufacturing, lengthening of

supply chains and growing trade in intermediate parts and components. These GVCs present

two main challenges. First relates to the need to re-think trade flows and their origins as trade in

tasks with incremental values being added at each stage, located in different countries. This re-

think can fundamentally alter the content and dynamics of international trade negotiations.

Second issue relates to the governance of private standards in agro-industrial value chains which

are being developed outside formal national and international standard-setting bodies and where

compliance has become a problem for SMEs in developing countries.

Climate change. This will necessitate changes in what is produced, what is traded and how it is

traded. It will also increase uncertainty (e.g. extreme weather leading to greater volatility in

commodity prices) and frequency of shocks to production, productivity and trade flows.

Resilience of existing productive structures in developing countries will be severely tested; and so

will be the resolve of developed countries against adopting border measures that can be

protectionist.

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Last year also saw further setbacks to multilateral approaches at a time when multilateralism offers the

best hope for global peace and prosperity. The 8th Ministerial Conference of the WTO finally decided to

admit that the Doha Round is stalemated but, on a rather positive note, refused to give up. UNCTAD XIII

brought to fore some old ideological debates and the divide between the North and the South, exposing

the institutional shortcomings of current global governance structures. Climate change negotiations

continued to struggle and expectations from Rio+20 are being moderated.

These are formidable challenges. However, the response should not be despondency, unilateralism, and

protectionism. Multilateralism has not failed. Nor has the human spirit and creativity to face the

challenges. Together we can and must rise to the occasion. It is often through adversity that new

thinking and cooperation emerge.

Our task therefore should be to understand the major challenges and drivers for change through

dispassionate and objective analysis, and to find new approaches through collaborative and out-of-the-

box thinking. Three principles should guide our endeavours:

Embrace change. We should not hanker after a world that is not there anymore. The courage to

accept the new and emerging realities and accept out-of-the-box solutions are urgently needed.

We should not be afraid to accept this new world: it may very well have new and better

opportunities for all of us.

Strengthen multilateralism. This is the need of the hour and our best defence against old and

merging challenges. Global issues require globally coordinated approaches. Bilateral and

regional arrangements have their role but ultimately they should contribute towards global

solutions.

Adopt inclusiveness. The problems affect us all, from the local to national to regional to global

levels; and from policy makers to entrepreneurs to farmers to consumers. The solutions must

also be found together with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. Inclusivity will bring

fresh approaches and a sense of collectiveness.

I am proud to state that this thinking and approach is the torch-bearer for CUTS family of organisations as

it continues to work towards its objectives. This is also the vision that CUTS International, Geneva is

pursuing in all its projects and programmes. I am confident that it will continue to get the support of all its

stakeholders to realise the vision.

Pradeep S. Mehta

Secretary General

CUTS

May 2012

Jaipur, India

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It is a great pleasure for me to present to you this fourth annual report of CUTS International, Geneva.

The report covers the period from April 2011 till March 2012: a period that witnessed many positive

developments in the growth of this institution. While challenges continue, our achievements in the past

year have proved the need for an organisation like ours to work in Geneva with its links in the grassroots.

Our key achievements in the past year include:

Launch and successful implementation of a project titled “Facilitating Equitable Agricultural

Development in sub-Saharan Africa (FEAD)” with funding support from the William and Flora

Hewlett Foundation of the US, that further built on our work at the interface of trade, agriculture

and food security in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

Preparing and publishing a volume on the experience of developing countries’ negotiators in the

WTO. Titled “Reflections from the Frontlines: Developing Country Negotiators in the WTO” and

funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and FES Geneva Office, the publication

includes sixteen chapters contributed by developing country ambassadors on their personal

experience of Doha Round negotiations, thus preserving the invaluable knowledge and insights

for their successors as well as all those who are interested in the multilateral trading system

Organisation of a Symposium on Trade in Primary Products Markets and Competition Policy, to

bring to the attention of Geneva trade and development community this very important subject

that has not received due recognition

Continued identification of gaps in the current trade and development related capacity building

initiatives for smaller developing countries and addressing them through innovative responses,

e.g. utilizing WTO Geneva Weeks and country Trade Policy Reviews, establishing informal,

quarterly forums for smaller groups of developing countries (i.e. for EAC and SAARC), focusing

on LDC issues in the run up to and at the 4th UN LDC Conference in Istanbul, Turkey in May

2011, and building alliances with like-minded NGOs and IGOs

Launch of an ambitious 3-year project titled “Promoting Agriculture-Climate-Trade Linkages in the

EAC (PACT EAC)”. With funding support from the Swedish International Development

Cooperation Agency (SIDA), this project aims to build multi-stakeholder capacity in the EAC

region to deal with the impact of climate change on food security through trade. It also aims to

build Geneva-grassroots linkages and assist EAC countries in their better, more informed and

coordinated participation in the WTO. This path-breaking initiative addresses several gaps in the

current thinking, policies, and interactions by providing avenues for creating and sharing

knowledge on the linkages of issues as well as between stakeholders and policy

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makers/negotiators, thus leading to holistic and coordinated policies at the national, regional and

multilateral levels.

I am proud to say that despite our limited human and financial resources, we have been able to firmly

establish CUTS International, Geneva as a small but dynamic pro-trade, pro-equity credible Southern

NGO voice in Geneva, distinguished by its unique methodology of inclusive and integrated research-

advocacy-networking (RAN) and grassroots linkages. Our work and contributions are recognised by both

our stakeholders and donors. This success would not have been possible without the dynamic and

visionary leadership of our Executive Director, Ramamurti Badrinath, ably supported by a committed and

dedicated technical team headed by Rashid S. Kaukab, the Associate Director and the administrative

support of Josiane Rufener, all of whom have worked tirelessly as a cohesive team with a clear vision and

direction.

We have moved closer to building CUTS International, Geneva as an international NGO partner and

service provider to developing countries on trade and related issues on a sustained basis. Our organic

relationship with the CUTS family of organisations will remain invaluable in this endeavour.

I invite you to read this annual report that gives an overview of our main activities during the past year as

well as our vision for the next. As always, your comments and feedback will be most welcome.

Philippe Brusick

Chairman

CUTS International, General Assembly

May 2012

Geneva, Switzerland

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The renaming of CUTS Geneva Resource Centre as CUTS International in May 2012 was a reflection of

our moving one step closer during the year 2011-2012 to our objective of establishing ourselves as an

international NGO partner and service provider to developing countries on trade and related issues on a

sustained basis. The new name better reflects the nature and activities we undertake in our evolving role

as a service based organization.

The year witnessed the continued focus on trade and food security in the East African region with

increasing focus on climate change.

The main highlight was the launch of the PACT EAC (Promoting Agriculture-Climate-Trade Linkages in

the EAC) project. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), has financed this

3-year project to build linkages between Agriculture, Climate Change and Trade in the five countries of

the East African Region. Work on the field is gathering momentum for strengthening multi-stakeholder

capacity to deal with these three critical and interlinked issues. This is an innovative programme which

brings together the perspectives of these critical areas, each of which might have been studied in great

detail but seldom by establishing appropriate linkages between them. The programme promotes linkages

between Geneva and the grassroots in the region.

The publication “Reflections from the Frontlines: Developing Country Negotiators in the WTO” has been

very well received as a unique documentation of the hands-on experience of developing country

negotiators in the Doha Round. This effort, supported by the Swedish Foreign Ministry and the FES

Geneva Office captures knowledge and insights which would otherwise have been lost to posterity.

The year also saw the launch and implementation of the FEAD project which picks up where the earlier

FEATS project left off. The Hewlett Foundation gave a tie-off grant for this project to further work on trade,

agriculture and food security in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Full details of these and other initiatives are contained in this Annual Report.

We propose to intensify our work in the areas of our specialisation both in terms of subject matter and of

geographic region while gradually diversifying to other areas. We propose to launch a new initiative to

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restore confidence in the multilateral trading system which has been adversely affected by numerous

recent developments.

Ramamurti Badrinath

Executive Director

CUTS International

May 2012

Geneva, Switzerland

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CUTS International, Geneva, is a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), launched in July 2008 under the

name of Geneva Resource Centre (GRC) as a part of the CUTS family of organisations to provide a

credible pro-trade, pro-equity Southern NGO voice in the Geneva trade policy making circles. The Centre

has since been renamed CUTS International, to better reflect the spread of the activities of the Centre

beyond Geneva and their international character.

Over the past years, the Centre has established itself and contributed effectively in the International and

National policy making process, particularly in Eastern and Southern Africa. The strength of the

organisation lies in its work methodology viz. organically linked research, advocacy, networking, as well

as in its capacity to bridge existing gaps between all actors, from the grassroots to global leaders.

Potential beneficiaries of the work of CUTS International Geneva include all the key stakeholders in and

from developing countries: governments and inter-governmental organisations, parliamentarians, civil

society organisations and the private sector.

To pursue social justice and economic equity within and across borders by persuading governments and

empowering people

To establish and promote a pro-trade pro-equity credible Southern NGO voice as well as the means to

achieve this in the policy making circles working on trade and development and other related issues in

Geneva.

The goal of CUTS International, Geneva is to contribute to the achievement of development and poverty

alleviation through trade in its economic, environmental, social and political dimensions. Its objectives

include:

contributing to a better understanding of development concerns in trade and related policies;

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enabling participation of developing country stakeholders in trade and related policy making and

its implementation;

stimulating interest of key actors working on trade, development and poverty alleviation; and

bridging the information gap for and among the trade and related policy communities.

The Strategic Plan for the year envisages the use of the following elements to achieve its goals and

objectives:

Working on issues of direct relevance to domestic policy makers and other stakeholders in

developing countries.

Involving officials from developing countries and inter-governmental organisations in Geneva and

Brussels in determining issues and areas for its work.

Leveraging CUTS partners at the national, regional and international levels in developed and

developing countries.

Developing an implementation plan to undertake identified activities related to policy research;

advocacy and awareness raising; and networking.

Facilitating dialogue between stakeholders from the South and the North and providing

information and support services to its Southern constituency, including research support.

Seeking support/resources to execute its activities.

Ensuring long term impact by focussing on outcomes and not just outputs.

Regular monitoring and evaluation of performance against stated goal and objectives.

Periodically reviewing the strategy based on experience gathered through its work.

The main organs of CUTS International Geneva are the General Assembly, the Executive

Committee, the Stakeholder Forum and the Secretariat.

The General Assembly now comprises eight members, including its President, Secretary and Treasurer.

The General Assembly meets at least once a year. Under circumstances requiring urgent action,

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decisions by circular letter, telephone or email conference are admissible. The General Assembly takes

its decisions by consensus. If there is no consensus then decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of

those present.

Mr. Philippe Brusick | Chairman

Former Head Competition Branch, UNCTAD

Mr. Pradeep S. Mehta | Member

Secretary-General CUTS

Mr. Ramamurti Badrinath | Secretary

Executive Director CUTS International Geneva

Mr. Bipul Chattopadhyay | Treasurer

Deputy Executive Director CUTS

Prof. Lichia Saner-Yiu | Member

President Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development

Dr. Maria Livanos Cattaui | Member

Vice Chairman International Crisis Group

Mr. Khalil Hamdani | Member

Visiting Professor Pakistan Institute for

Development Economics of Islamabad

Dr. Anh-Nga Tran-Nguyen | Member

Growth and Development Bridge, Geneva

The Executive Committee of CUTS International, Geneva is composed of six persons and is headed by

the President of the General Assembly. Executive Director and a staff member are ex-officio members of

the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets twice a year. For decisions to be valid, at

least half of the Executive Committee members must be present. By mutual agreement, decisions by

circular letter, telephone or email conference are admissible. Decisions of the Executive Committee are

taken by consensus. If there is no consensus then decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of those

present.

Mr. Philippe Brusick | Chairman

Former Head Competition Branch, UNCTAD

Mr. Pradeep S. Mehta | Member

Secretary-General CUTS

Prof. Lichia Saner-Yiu | Member

President Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development

Mr. Bipul Chattopadhyay | Member

Deputy Executive Director CUTS

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Mr. Ramamurti Badrinath |

Member Secretary (Non-Voting)

Executive Director CUTS International Geneva

Mr. Rashid S. Kaukab | Member

(Non-Voting)

Associate Director and Research Coordinator,

CUTS International Geneva

The Secretariat is managed by the Executive Director of CUTS International Geneva. The duties of the

Executive Director include the preparation of annual programme of work for approval by the Executive

Committee, the management of CUTS International Geneva in accordance with the administrative and

financial rules, and the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly and the Executive

Committee.

The Stakeholder Forum monitors the activities of CUTS International Geneva and offers advice to the

Executive Committee and General Assembly. Current membership of this forum includes 21

representatives of inter-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, developing and

developed country missions in Geneva, relevant government agencies in capitals, academics, and the

media. The Forum is due to be reconstituted in 2013.

Ramamurti Badrinath, Executive Director

Rashid S. Kaukab, Associate Director and Research Coordinator

Josiane Rufener, Administrative Officer

Julian Mukiibi, Programme Officer

Julien Grollier, Assistant Programme Officer

Krista Joosep, Research Trainee

A number of voluntary interns, engaged during the course of the year have also made valuable

contributions.

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Development of agriculture in Africa requires

a multi-pronged approach combining policy

and practice, private and public partnership,

and national and multilateral synergies. A

key aspect of this approach relates to the

creation and nurturing of an enabling

environment both at the national and

multilateral levels for framer-friendly

agricultural development that is led by the

private sector. With this objective in mind,

the Facilitating Equitable Agricultural

Development (FEAD) Project was launched

in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Besides the

three core project countries, Burundi and Rwanda are included as associate countries that benefit

from dissemination of outcomes and advocacy.

This project, which started in April 2011 and will end in June 2012, is funded through a tie-off grant by the

William and Flora Hewlett Foundation of the US. It is a follow-up to the “Fostering Equity and

Accountability in the Trading System” (FEATS) project, which CUTS completed in March 2011 after three

years. Based on this experience, FEAD focuses on policy-oriented research and targeting advocacy,

supported and strengthened through national and international networks.

The project aims to address the research and analysis gaps pertaining to the identification of causes, and

the solutions, to the lack of a policy and practice environment in project countries that can encourage

private sector investment in agriculture while ensuring that the subsistence and small farmers benefit from

such investment. Similarly, it strives to deal with advocacy gaps that mainly arise due to limited

understanding of relevant issues and minimal interaction between private sector and farmers’

organizations.

The long term objectives of this project are to develop an enabling environment for private sector led and

farmer-friendly agricultural development, as well as to strengthen the grassroots links of CUTS in Africa

that will enable it to be a sustained and strong pro-trade, pro-equity credible Southern NGO voice in

Geneva. More specifically, the FEAD project has the following objectives:

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Identification of the main elements of and constraints to an enabling environment for private

sector led and farmer friendly development of agriculture in project countries, leading to

generation and dissemination of recommendations with a buy-in from relevant stakeholders

Strengthening the pro trade, pro equity voice that has already been established in Geneva

Establishment of (and strengthening where already established through the FEATS project)

country level as well as international networks of key stakeholders consisting of trade negotiators

in Geneva, trade and agriculture policy officials (from trade, agriculture and other important

ministries and bodies in capitals), representatives of regional bodies (such as the COMESA, the

EAC, and the SADC Secretariats), private sector umbrella organizations, farmers organizations

and CSOs

Details about the project and various activities can be viewed at http://www.cuts-

geneva.org/FEAD-Project.htm

The purpose of policy-oriented research and analysis under the project is to present inputs to the trade

policy community and civil society organizations in Geneva, and policy makers, private sector, farmers

and civil society organizations in national capitals in the three project countries. Three country studies

were undertaken by national researchers on specific issues related to an enabling environment in project

countries for private sector led and farmer-friendly development of agriculture. In addition, two studies

were produced on relevant international issues i.e. under the WTO Doha Round agriculture negotiations,

and EPAs. These outputs are accessible online on CUTS website and are titled as follows:

Facilitating Equitable Agricultural Development in sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Kenya,

Otieno, G.

Facilitating Equitable Agricultural Development in sub-Saharan Africa: The Case Tanzania,

Nassoro, H.

Facilitating Equitable Agricultural Development in sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Uganda,

Ndebesa, M.

Facilitating Equitable Agricultural Development in sub-Saharan Africa: An Analysis of the EU-EAC

EPA, Sozanski, A.

WTO Agriculture Disciplines and Negotiations: Implications for Equitable Agriculture Development

in the East African Community, Mukiibi, J.

The purpose of networking under this project is to “bring together relevant stakeholders in the project

countries, Geneva trade and development community, experts, and representatives of inter-governmental

and non-governmental organizations to enhance contacts, share information, knowledge and expertise,

and contribute to the development of a critical mass for effective advocacy for change towards an

enabling environment for private sector led and farmer-friendly agricultural development, both nationally

and at the multilateral level”.

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Networking has been a continuous activity under the project and strengthened the other two strands of

work, namely, research and analysis, and advocacy. This has consisted in working with and linking two

sets of actors: the National Reference Groups (NRGs) and a Global Reference Group (GRG).

Building on the existing FEATS NRGs, the National Reference Groups (NRGs) composed of relevant

stakeholders were constituted in each project country with the purpose of sharing of knowledge and

information, providing useful support for the research as well as for the dissemination of the project

outputs. They consist of representatives of relevant government agencies, private sector, farmers’

organizations, media, and CSOs etc. Throughout the year, CUTS regularly communicated with all NRGs

by seeking their advice on all issues related to FEAD research and advocacy, as well as by keeping them

updated with international activities in Geneva and on-going FEAD work in other countries and at the

global level. This was made possible by the institution of an e-communication system and the active

participation of many NRGs in it.

Between October 17th and 19

th of 2011, National

Dialogues were organised in Kenya, Tanzania and

Uganda in collaboration with country partners where

the first draft of the research studies were presented

for discussion and validation by the respective

National Reference Groups. In Geneva, issue-specific

dialogues and events were organized with the trade

negotiators of project countries, other WTO Members

and Geneva-based experts.

On the other hand, the Global Reference Group is a networking group constituted of representatives of

the Geneva trade and development community, including Missions delegates and inter-governmental

(e.g. WTO, UNCTAD etc.) and non-governmental (e.g. C-SEND, ICTSD, Ideas Centre, Oxfam

International, etc.) organizations. Representatives of relevant regional organizations (e.g. EAC,

COMESA and SADC), non-Geneva based organizations (e.g. the Commonwealth Secretariat, etc.), and

representatives from the two associate countries (i.e. Burundi and Rwanda) are also part of this network.

A high level Project Advisory Committee (PAC) was constituted with the following as members:

Ambassador Brave Ndisale – Malawi Ambassador to Brussels; David Luke – Senior Trade Advisor

UNDP, Geneva; Christian Kingombe–Researcher ODI; and Weldeghaber Kidane – Senior Policy Advisor

FAO.

Advocacy under the FEAD project aims to “seek changes at national and international level, which are

necessary for an enabling environment for private sector led and farmer-friendly agricultural development

in project countries through targeted publications and messages and events and dialogues”.

The several events, dialogues and meetings in the capitals of project countries and in Geneva were

supported through several targeted publications that brought out the key messages of policy research

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and also responded to relevant developments in international arena. In fact, two types of advocacy

publications were conceptualized to meet the specific needs of the project audience. Based on the five

studies, five Policy Briefs and five Action alerts were issued and disseminated electronically and at

various events including during the eight Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization held in

Geneva from 15-17 December 2011. Advocacy outputs are accessible online on CUTS website and are

titled as follows:

Action Alerts

CUTS Action alerts are to draw

attention and call for action on key

trade and development-related

issues.

Policy Briefs

CUTS Policy Briefs are to inform

and provoke debate on key policy

issues related to trade and

development.

Tackling Development Challenges in the EAC:

A Call for Action

Enhancing Productivity, a Must for Agriculture

in Uganda

A Step Closer to Nature: Promoting Organic

Farming in East Africa

Extension Services in Tanzania: Better

Reaching Remote Areas

For Kenyan Farmers, the Future Belongs to the

Organised

EPAs Rules of Origin and EAC: A Position

Worth US$ 1 Trillion

N°1 | Boosting Development in Kenya: Better

Participation of Smallholders in Agri-Business

N°2 | Towards Equitable Agriculture Development

in Uganda: A Look at the Terms of Trade

amongst Stakeholders

N°3 | Equitable Development through Agriculture:

Policy Options for Tanzania

N°4 | Sowing Multilaterally, Reaping Locally: Can

the WTO Promote Equitable Agriculture

Development in the East African Community?

N°5 | EAC-EU Trade Negotiations: Bringing

Equitable Agriculture Development to the

Forefront

A project with funding support by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sweden and Friedrich Ebert

Stiftung (FES) Geneva Office to prepare and publish a book containing experiences of developing

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country negotiators in the WTO was undertaken and completed. This book, titled “Reflections

from the Frontline: Developing Country Negotiators in the WTO” captures the substantive

experiences of eminent developing country negotiators as a resource for their peers and

successors, as a potential part of teaching curriculum, and to preserve history for the times to

come.

This book gives a substantive account of the evolution of the WTO Doha Development Agenda (DDA)

Negotiations and the role of developing country coalitions/alliances. The reflections are those of former

and current developing country negotiators on their first-hand experience of WTO negotiations. They

have explained the mandate for these negotiations, particularly the development dimension; have

described the progress including developments at key moments like the WTO Ministerial Conferences in

Cancun (2003) and Hong Kong (2005); and have drawn lessons from negotiating strategies/tactics

applied to-date by developing countries.

The book is divided into three parts. Part I provides an overview, giving insights on how negotiations on

trade and economic relations are conducted in the multilateral trading system as well as the key points of

DDA substantive negotiations and main developing country alliances/coalitions. Part II covers the

negotiating experience on specific subjects in the Doha Round including cross-cutting issues. This

includes all key DDA negotiating issues, e.g. agriculture, NAMA, services, S&D, Rules, Trade Facilitation,

TRIPS, etc. Finally, Part III deals with coalition building efforts by developing countries and the impact of

these coalitions on the negotiations. Examples of groups/alliances covered in this Part include African

group, LDCs, SVEs, G-20, G-33 etc.

The sixteen chapters included in the publication give a rich resume of increasing and more effective

developing country participation in the WTO. Authors have brought to fore the twists and turns of the

decade long Doha Round, often based on their own experience and perspectives. Such intimate insights

are rarely found in the existing literature on the WTO negotiations. Authors have also offered suggestions

to unlock the stalemate in the DDA and reach a balanced and development-friendly conclusion.

The publication was launched on 14 December 2011, immediately prior to the Eighth Ministerial

Conference of the WTO. Mr. Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa and Dr Harsha V.

Singh, Deputy Director-General WTO addressed the gathering which also heard from Pradeep S Mehta,

SG CUTS International, Ramamurti Badrinath, Executive Director CUTS International Geneva, and

Matthes Buhbe, Director FES Geneva Office. Copies of the publication, purchased through FES support,

were distributed among the authors, Geneva missions and other important contacts.

Details about the project and various activities can be viewed at http://www.cuts-

geneva.org/Negotiators_Handbook_on_WTO_Negotiations.htm

CUTS International Geneva and its partners throughout the EAC region are implementing a project

titled entitled “Promoting Agriculture-Climate-Trade linkages in the East African Community”

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(PACT EAC). Through an inclusive set of research, advocacy, networking and training activities,

the project assists EAC stakeholders in better understanding and dealing with the critical

challenges of climate change, food security and effective participation in the multilateral trading

system. This project, launched in October 2011, is funded by the Swedish International

Development Agency (SIDA).

With about 40 million undernourished people, food security is already one of the main challenges in the

Eastern African Community. In the next decades, the situation is expected to further aggravate as

climate change worsens in a region were as much as four East Africans in five rely on agriculture for their

living. If Sub-Saharan Africa is not to become the home of an additional 600 million hungry people, early

action and adoption of sound policies harnessing the potential role of trade is a must. Over the next three

years, the project will contribute to this process.

The Project consists of two separate but synergetic segments for human and institutional capacity

building of East African Community (EAC) stakeholders to take better advantage of international trade for

their growth and development and poverty reduction, particularly in the context of climate change. The

two segments focus on issues related to trade-climate change-food security linkages and WTO

discussions/negotiations respectively. Through research-based advocacy and networking and by linking

grassroots with Geneva, the project seeks to assist EAC stakeholders in better understanding and

dealing with the critical challenges of climate change, food security and effective participation in the

multilateral trading system.

Below are the various activities undertaken under each component since the project commenced.

Teams of researchers from the region, experts in all three areas, were constituted and have

collaboratively engaged in writing five evidence-based country research studies to inform advocacy and

training efforts. A sixth study will focus on trade policy and trade politics and its relationship with climate

change and food security issues in the EAC. Key substantive issues to be covered by the five country

studies are as follows:

National policy framework relevant to the climate-trade-food-security linkages (e.g. policies,

strategies, action plans, related to climate, food security, trade, and investment) and their overall

interactions,

The regional and international policy framework relevant to the climate-trade-food-security

linkages and their implications for the national policy framework,

The negative and positive impacts created by climate change in agriculture and overall food

security, and how to best address them through trade,

Identification and clear articulation of the elements for holistic and viable solutions to combat

climate change caused food insecurity when employing trade.

21

The research places emphasis on inclusive and outcome-based methodology including: (i) Regular

collaboration with the EAC Secretariat on the basis of the signed MoU (this will include feedback and

input loops allowing EAC Secretariat to comment on as well as take advantage of the emerging research

findings. Particularly for the development of relevant regional plans and policies); (ii) Focus on issues

identified by the beneficiaries with a balanced and neutral approach; (iii) Recognizing the interlinkages of

issues and forums by giving equal importance to all three issue areas as well as the forums where these

issues are being discussed and advanced; (iv) Involvement of relevant stakeholders through regular

reporting and feedback to members of the country National Reference Group (NRG); (v) Cross-

fertilization of ideas and experiences through regular exchanges among all relevant stakeholders; and (vi)

Collecting data through field visits, surveys, case stories, etc.

To achieve the objective of institutional and human capacity building in climate change, food security, and

trade linkages, the project envisions training a critical mass of relevant stakeholders in East Africa. There

will be two national and three regional training workshops organized under the project in its the second

and third year. Training programmes will be developed by experts with the aim to improve understanding,

capacity and create substantial number of informed relevant stakeholders in the EAC, and more

specifically:

To train a critical mass of relevant stakeholders in order that they will be able to contribute to

designing and implementation of programs and policies that use trade to improve food security in

the face of climate change.

To create technical understanding of interlinkages (good and bad) between climate change, food

security and trade.

To increasing capacity of the stakeholders to take advantage of the positive linkages and develop

adequate policies and strategies to deal with the negative linkages.

To ensure that the training is needs-based and targeted, CUTS International Geneva and its partners

have assessed the training needs of stakeholders working on trade - climate change - food security policy

and other matters in each project country. As of March 2012, the assessment is being carried out both on

a paper-based as well as an online survey since January. Early results were presented at the project

inception meeting in February, and final results will be discussed at the first National Reference Group

(NRG) meetings in May 2012. The eventual training program will take into consideration the assessment

made as well as the desktop and field research undertaken under the project to transmit to the

stakeholders the current knowledge and field examples.

Networking has a central importance in the PACT EAC project and is closely linked to advocacy efforts.

National networks constituted of representatives from all stakeholders and referred to as “National

Reference Groups” (NRGs) were established. NRG members will be consulted and interact at all stages

through events and the online networking platform of the project website. They will be the link between

22

the project and the wider society and ground realities. NRGs are therefore both the target and the

dissemination channel of the project through their respective networks. Stakeholders’ involvement will

facilitate a wider impact of advocacy, ownership-building over project recommendations, effective

information-sharing and cross-fertilisation of ideas. NRGs will meet twice a year in each project country.

The first networking event was the Project Inception Meeting organized in Arusha, Tanzania, on February

23-24, 2012. Representatives from all key stakeholders were represented, including from the EAC

Secretariat. This was also an opportunity for the Project Advisory Committee to hold its first meeting as

well as for launching the project website (www.cuts-geneva.org/pacteac) endowed with an in-built social

network for interactive communication among stakeholders.

Besides its networking function, the website is also an important channel for advocacy aimed at

improving awareness and understanding of relevant issues among all stakeholders, and to persuade

them regarding the need to adopt adequate and holistic policies and strategies. Advocacy materials

include policy briefs that will highlight relevant aspects of research findings, action alerts that target

selected audiences with relevant recommendations, and press releases.

During the year, the following advocacy materials have been released and disseminated:

No Business as Usual Again Please. (communiqué, December 2011)

MTS Must Remain the Centre Piece of Global Economic Governance. (communiqué, December

2011)

“For farmers, the future belongs to the organized” East African grassroots make themselves

heard at the margins of the WTO Ministerial. (Press release, December 2011)

Development Challenges in the EAC: A Call for Action. (communiqué, December 2011)

We should not allow climate change to destroy our socio-economic fabric. (Press release,

February 2012)

EAC needs insights on NAMA negotiations at the WTO. (Action alert, March 2012)

An article titled “The WTO needed now more than ever” was submitted to the quarterly magazine

Global Briefing and will be published in April 2012.

The bi-monthly EAC Geneva Forum is the second segment of the PACT EAC project. It seeks to address

the expressed need of the WTO negotiators of the EAC countries for supporting their Geneva Missions in

the WTO discussions and negotiations. The Forum provides them with a package of services and

technical material and links EAC WTO delegates to the grassroots in East Africa. Each Forum meeting

has two standing agenda items:

WTO Negotiations: delegates discuss a substantive issue under discussion/negotiations at the

World Trade Organisation, identified by them. Discussions are facilitated by a short note prepared

by CUTS International Geneva on the identified issue for each forum meeting.

23

Country Updates: delegates discuss update notes from the region focusing on latest

developments regarding EAC regional integration and other relevant issues identified by the

grassroots and the delegates. For this purpose, project partners in each EAC country prepare

evidence-based country update notes on the identified topic in consultation with the grassroots

and members of the National Reference Group in their countries.

Moreover, in order to improve information flows and coordination between Geneva and capital-based

policy-makers, delegates from the region, including from the EAC Secretariat, are invited to the Forum

meetings around key WTO events, as was the case for the Eight Ministerial Conference of the WTO. As

of March 2012, two EAC Geneva Forum meetings have been organised under the project in December

2011 and February 2012 respectively.

Details about the project and various activities can be viewed at www.cuts-geneva.org/pacteac

24

CUTS International Geneva has also been

undertaking various research and advocacy

activities since early 2010 to contribute to the

preparations for the 4th

UN LDC Conference.

Based on this preparatory work, CUTS

International Geneva participated in the UN LDC IV

held in Istanbul from 9 till 13 May 2011. On that

occasion, and in collaboration with the Commonwealth

Secretariat, CUTS organised an event entitled “From

Istanbul to 2020: Vision for LDCs” as part of UN LDC

IV Civil Society Forum in Istanbul, Turkey on 11 May

2011. The event was chaired by Cyrus Rustomjee, Director Economic Affairs Division of the

Commonwealth Secretariat. The panellists included Amb. Love Mtesa of CUTS ARC Lusaka, Emily

Jones of Oxford Global Governance Programme, Hervé Cronel of Organisation Internationale de la

Francophonie, Victor Ogalo of CUTS ARC Nairobi and Rashid S. Kaukab of CUTS International Geneva.

The event discussed development challenges faced by LDCs and offered recommendations for a

programme for action in favour of LDCs for the next decade.

Besides this, Ramamurti Badrinath, Executive Director CUTS International Geneva was a discussant at a

roundtable discussion organized by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) and Istanbul

Policy Center (IPC) on 13 May 2011 in Istanbul as a side event to UN LDC IV. The theme was "Promoting

Trade and Development in sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities for Transatlantic Partnership with Emerging

Economies at the G-20" This half-day workshop brought together key stakeholders from the United

States, Europe, emerging economies such as China, Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and

LDCs to discuss concrete recommendations for the G20 leadership to better integrate LDCs into markets

in their own regions and around the world.

Primary product markets are complex in their structure and susceptible to a variety of factors that

are seen to cause volatilities in their prices. Not much has been understood about the factors

determining such fluctuations as well as anti-competitive practices prevalent in such markets that

ultimately raise the costs and adversely affect national economic development. On September 22,

25

2011, CUTS International Geneva facilitated the organisation of a one-day “Symposium on Trade

in Primary Product Markets and Competition Policy” at the WTO.

This event was organized jointly with the

Centre for Economic Policy Research and

received funding support from Agence

Française de Développement, the European

Commission’s PEGGED Project. On the

evening prior to the Symposium, a pre-

symposium cocktail was organised at the World

Meteorological Organization’s cafeteria.

The Symposium witnessed a high-level

participation of experts in trade and competition

issues from different parts of the world

representing multilateral institutions,

governments, academic community and civil society, and over 20 experts participated as speakers and

discussants. Through different thematic sessions, the event covered the following issues: (i)

Understanding how primary (agricultural and mineral) product markets work; (ii) Anti-competitive practices

and market structures in primary product markets; (iii) Governance of primary product markets and its

impact on developing countries; and (iv) Systemic issues and policy options for the future.

The papers presented at the event were published in February 2012 in the form of an E-book by CEPR

titled “Trade, Competition, and the Pricing of Commodities”.

Since 2009, CUTS International Geneva organises informal meetings with developing country

Geneva mission delegates aimed at facilitating an informed exchange of views and sharing

experiences among them on issues relevant to their ongoing work in Geneva. Delegates identify a

topic to be discussed during the following meeting, on which CUTS prepares a background note

that guides the discussions.

CUTS has a long experience working on economic and development issues in South Asian Countries like

Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. During the period covered by this report, South Asian

delegates gathered twice at CUTS’ office to discuss issues of common interest:

On June 21, 2011, CUTS organised the 9th Informal Quarterly Meeting of South Asian Geneva

Missions Delegates. As per the latest developments in the WTO, the first discussion item for this

meeting related to the proposed Plan B by the Director General of the WTO, intended to unlock

26

the Doha Round of Negotiations. The second agenda item related to briefing on on-going and

planned regional projects by CUTS in South Asia.

The 10th informal, quarterly meeting of South Asian Geneva missions delegates was organised

on September 14, 2011. The first discussion item for this meeting related to the upcoming 8th

WTO Ministerial Conference which was to be held in Geneva from 15-17 December 2011. The

second item related to a short briefing on CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics and

Environment (CUTS CITEE) on-going projects and activities in South Asian countries.

Like most developing countries and LDCs, EAC

countries have taken keen interest in the WTO since

its establishment and have invested in developing their

capacities for their active participation in the WTO. Yet,

their current capacities are not sufficient to enable their

well-informed and active participation in the WTO and

there is a perceptible and significant gap in the support

and services they receive. Since February 2010, CUTS

has supported and built mutual trust with EAC Geneva

delegates through organization of quarterly, informal

meetings of EAC delegates. During the year 2011-

2012, two such meetings were organized:

On June 20, the 4th Quarterly Meeting of EAC Member States’ Geneva Delegates Forum was

organized at CUTS International Geneva. The Agenda was to discuss the WTO proposed “Plan

B” on the ongoing Doha Round negotiations and to brief the delegates on CUTS International

programmes in the EAC region.

On 21 November, the Fifth Informal East African Community Geneva-Based WTO Missions

Delegates Meeting briefed the delegates on the progress of CUTS’ ongoing FEAD Project in the

East African Community and on the newly initiated project entitled “Promoting Agriculture,

Climate and Trade linkages in the East African Community” (PACT EAC). Discussions also

revolved around the preparations towards the forthcoming WTO Ministerial conference.

Since December 2011, EAC delegates to the WTO meet under a new setting called the “EAC Geneva

Forum” under the PACT EAC Project. It aims to be a durable and effective support mechanism for EAC

countries in Geneva with links to the region by providing them a package of services and technical

materials developed in collaboration with the grassroots in the region.

27

The partnerships with other like-minded organisations in Geneva and elsewhere have been further

expanded and strengthened during the year. In fact these partnerships are a strategic asset to achieve

our vision and mission. Some important developments in this regard include:

The partnership with UNCTAD has been taken to a higher level. At its 53rd

executive session of

27–28 June 2011, UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Board granted CUTS permanent

Observer Status as an international NGO. Besides the formalization of CUTS-UNCTAD long

working relationship, CUTS also participated in several UNCTAD events including the third Public

Symposium and the 11th Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Competition Law and

Policy.

The partnership with the WTO has also been strengthened through regular organisation of

events. For instance, the WTO secretariat invited CUTS staff to present the results of the FEATS

project to country delegates, secretariat staff, and accredited NGOs at the WTO. CUTS

International Geneva is still the only NGO to organise side events at the WTO Geneva Week for

non-resident missions, and it participated actively in the Eight WTO Ministerial Conference where

it organised a side-event on “Supporting EAC Development through Trade: Focus on Agriculture

and Climate Change”.

Informal partnerships with many other Intergovernmental Organisations (FAO, UNDP, UNEP and

UNFCCC) and NGOs (ICTSD, Oxfam, FES, and others) have led to closer working and

organization of joint activities.

One of the two major themes for this year’s UNCTAD

Public Symposium was “Making the transition to a green

economy fair and equitable”. Organised soon after the

Fourth UN Conference on LDCs, this symposium was a

good opportunity to analysing the then adopted Plan of

Action of LDC-IV in the context of transition to green

economy and the specific LDC needs and interests.

Accordingly, CUTS International Geneva and FES

Geneva Office organised a breakout session entitled

“Green Transition and Poverty Alleviation in LDCs:

28

Taking Stock of LDC-IV” on June 23, 2011. The session was chaired by Ramamurti Badrinath, Executive

Director CUTS International Geneva and heard presentations from UNCTAD, UNEP and FES experts

who discussed issues related to implementing the LDC-IV outcomes in a manner that would promote

development-oriented transition to green economy in LDCs, which also addresses poverty related issues.

On Tuesday 19 July 2011, CUTS International and the

World Bank organized a Cocktail reception at the WTO to

present their new publications. The book released by CUTS

International titles “The Doha Round & South Asia: Need for

Better Coordination”, and explores the commonalities and

differences of South Asian countries' interests in some

major areas of Doha Round negotiations. While formally

launching the publication, Dr. Harsha V. Singh. Deputy-

Director General WTO, said that building soft capacities like

know-how of WTO negotiation process is crucial for

developing and least developed countries for the their effective participation in the multilateral trade

liberalisation process.

On the eve of the beginning of the Eighth Ministerial

Conference of the WTO (held in Geneva on 15-17

December 2011), CUTS International Geneva and

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Geneva jointly organized a

cocktail reception at the World Meteorological

Organization to launch CUTS’ new publication entitled

“Reflections from the Frontline: Developing Country

Negotiators in the WTO”. Mr Rob Davies, Trade &

Industry Minister of South Africa and Dr H. V. Singh,

Deputy Director General of the WTO alongwith Mr

Pradeep S Mehta, Secretary General, CUTS, Dr Matthes

Buhbe, Resident Director, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Geneva and Mr. Ramamurti Badrinath, Executive

Director, CUTS, Geneva spoke during this event were the trade and development community was

gathered.

29

At the invitation of the WTO Secretariat, CUTS organised a

presentation to WTO country delegates and staff on

“Agriculture in Development of Select African Countries” on

April 6, 2011. The presentation focussed on the main

findings of second phase research under the FEATS

(Fostering Equity and Accountability in the Trading System)

project looking at the linkages between agriculture, trade,

and development issues in five Eastern and Southern African

countries.

On May 6, 2011, an event was organized at the WTO as part of the WTO Geneva Week for non-resident

missions and observers on “Cooperation for Development: South-South Development Assistance for

Non-Resident Countries”.

On the way to development, developing countries have learned that they can turn to each other for

assistance and mutual learning. Through South-South initiatives of Technical Assistance and Capacity

Building, LDCs and SVEs non-resident countries can build

on the experience of fellow Southern countries which are

successfully implementing trade-led growth and poverty

reduction strategies.

This event was an excellent opportunity to identify the

development assistance needs of non-resident countries, as

well as to outline the development assistance activities of

key emerging countries. Ways to strengthen South-South

Development Assistance to promote development through

trade were also discussed.

The event was held under the chairmanship of Executive

Director and was addressed by ambassador of Malawi and deputy ambassadors of China and

India. CUTS is the only NGO that organises such sessions during the WTO Geneva Weeks.

On 15 December, 2011, a side-event was organized

shortly before the formal opening of the 8th WTO

Ministerial Conference on the topic “Supporting EAC

Development through Trade: Focus on Agriculture and

30

Climate Change”. Climate change is going to be a formidable challenge for the EAC with its impacts on

agriculture, food security and trade, and therefore there is urgent need to develop holistic approaches to

deal with the impact of climate change on food security through trade in the East African Community.

The event provided a forum for objective discussion among stakeholders on issues related to trade,

climate change and agriculture and food security in order to outline a roadmap to deal with the issue.

African parliamentarians, academics as well as representatives of International Organizations and of the

civil society took stock of the key findings of five CUTS studies providing possible ways to foster healthy

interactions between stakeholders involved in the agriculture sector in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The staff was invited by a number of other inter-governmental and non-governmental

organisations in Geneva and elsewhere to participate and make presentations to the meetings and

events organized by them. These have been good opportunities to present the interests and

concerns of developing countries on trade and development related issues to a wider audience

and to share the work and knowledge of CUTS. During the period under report, some of these

participations included:

On 20 June 2011, Julien Grollier, Research Trainee, represented the organisation at a multi-stakeholder

dialogue organised by the Evian Group at IMD Lausanne on the theme “The Private Sector as an Actor in

Food Security”.

Rashid S. Kaukab, Associate Director and Research Coordinator, attended a meeting organised by

CUTS International and Practical Action Bangladesh on 27 June 2011 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on

“Regional Workshop on Climate Change and Food Security in South Asia”. He was a panellist in the

inaugural session and also made a presentation entitled “Proposed Regional Programme on Climate

Change, Food Security and Trade Linkages in South Asia”.

Rashid S. Kaukab participated in the meeting on “Cost of Economic Non-Cooperation to Consumers in

South Asia – Project Review Meeting” in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 28 June 2011. This was organized by

CUTS International and I-PAG Bangladesh. He made a presentation on “Perception Survey on Trade

Liberalisation and Consumer Welfare in South Asia”. He also made introductory remarks in the inaugural

session.

31

On 28 June 2011, Julian Mukiibi, Programme Officer, participated in an event organized by Friends of

Europe in Brussels on the theme “Africa: Building growth”.

On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, the European Centre for Development Policy Management

(ECDPM) organised an international seminar to assess the future of the ACP-EU partnership in the light

of the new global challenges, the growing role and impact of emerging economies and the ongoing

change processes within both the ACP Group and the EU. On June 30 and July 1, Ramamurti Badrinath,

Executive Director, attended this seminar organised in Maastricht on the Future of the EU-ACP

relationship beyond 2020.

On 7 July 2011, Ramamurti Badrinath participated in and introduced a session at a meeting of the Doha

Task Force of Evian Group at IMD Lausanne on the theme “Doha – Moving Forward Multilaterally in the

21st Century Global Business Environment”.

Rashid S. Kaukab, Associate Director and Research Coordinator made a presentation to an event

organised by UNDP and EIF Secretariat in the afternoon of 18 July 2011 on the sidelines of the 3rd

Global

Review of Aid for Trade held at the WTO on 18-20 July 2011. The event was titled “Addressing the

Challenges of Mainstreaming Trade” and his presentation focused on stakeholder participation in

initiatives related to mainstreaming trade into development policies in developing countries.

On 27 January 2012, Ramamurti Badrinath participated as a Senior Panellist at IMD Lausanne in their Executive MBA Programme session entitled “Discover India” on doing business with and in India, organized for a group of 45 international executives on the eve of their departure to India.

Ramamurti Badrinath participated as a panellist in a meeting organised by the Evian Group at IMD Lausanne on February 9, 2012, which focused on Globalisation and inequalities and inequities.

On 3 February 2012, Julien Grollier participated in an ITC Seminar on “Non-Tariff Measures: New challenges and the Road Ahead” at Hotel Intercontinental. The event was part of the ITC Seminar Series on Trade for Development and explored the impact of NTMs on developing countries and how the impact

32

varies depending on the products exported, destination markets and the business environment of the exporting country.

While event organisation is central to the Centre’s outreach strategy, the Centre also makes

extensive use of information technology to disseminate its messages and advertise on its work.

The home page of the website has been updated and revamped for more clarity. In addition, the website

is regularly being populated with press releases, events, reports, pictures, advocacy documents and other

materials in order for it to be an effective outreach and communication tool. Besides this, a new website

has been created specifically for the PACT EAC project and is endowed with an in-built social network to

facilitate networking activities. This website is database-driven and enables the use of Web 2.0

technologies.

Press relations have also been taken to a higher level this year with the systematic translation of CUTS

International press releases into French and their dissemination to the European and French-speaking

press by CUTS International Geneva. In addition, press releases are prepared and released promptly

after every organized event and media reports on activities are posted.

Brand-building has also been improved with the development of permanent templates for each type of

publication as well as for different types of email dissemination. Particularly, CUTS now regularly

publishes “Action alerts” as a unique type of short, thought-provoking and targeted publication. The

dissemination of such advocacy outputs is now backed by an extensive contact database of trade and

development stakeholders from both developed and developing countries.

A permanent stand banner has been designed in-house and acquired that enables the centre to increase its visibility during events. This proved very useful during the Eight Ministerial Conference of the WTO in December 2011.

33

We will start the fifth year of our operations on 1 April 2012. The dedicated work and initiatives

undertaken by the team continue to be received with enthusiasm by the trade and development

community in Geneva, the capitals and beyond. The guidance of the General Assembly and the

Stakeholder Forum, and the support of the entire CUTS family have been and will remain the

pillars for this consolidation and expansion in 2012-2013 towards fulfilling our mission.

Our priority in 2012-2013 will be to consolidate our activities based on existing projects and their possible

spin-offs, and ensuring that the delivery on outputs and outcomes is both cost-effective and add real

value for all our stakeholders. This will include the following:

Project to programme implementation: Focus on the implementation of the on‐going FEAD

(Facilitating Equitable Agricultural Development) and PACT EAC (Promoting Agriculture-Climate-

Trade Linkages in the east African Community) projects by undertaking research, advocacy and

awareness raising, and training and networking activities in Geneva as well as capitals so that the

objectives of these projects are fully achieved.

Identification and development of projects and activities directly related to the on-going projects to

strengthen their impact at little additional commitment of resources, i.e. translation into French of

Negotiators’ Handbook; use of Negotiators’ Handbook as a training tool for new trade negotiators

of developing countries; replicating PACT EAC model for other parts of Africa and the developing

world.

Further building the existing projects, including through spin-offs, into programmes of work.

Strengthening ties with international organizations: Organization of events during relevant

WTO and UNCTAD meetings, i.e., WTO Geneva Week for Non-Resident Missions and WTO

Public Forum, and UNCTAD Public Symposium, and participation in relevant WTO/UNCTAD

meetings as well as joint organization of events in Geneva and elsewhere on issues of common

interest, subject to availability of funding.

Building ties with other international organisations that are relevant for current and proposed

work, in particular FAO, UNEP, UNFCCC by inviting them to join our various Project Advisory

Committees and through signing of MoUs where feasible.

Partnerships and collaboration: Participation in the events and meetings organized by other

IGOs, NGOs and think tanks in Geneva (e.g. ITC, UNEP, ICTSD, Ideas Centre, QUNO, The

Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies) as well as in selected meetings

outside Geneva (e.g. the Commonwealth Secretariat, the EAC Secretariat, Evian Group, FAO,

34

TRAPCA) that are relevant to our work and will contribute to the achievements of our goal and

objectives.

CUTS family: Strengthening internal synergies within the CUTS family through sharing of

research and analytical papers and studies especially with CUTS Africa Resource Centres.

Facilitating organization of activities by other CUTS organisations, providing substantive inputs for

their relevant activities, and supporting the Secretary General in his outreach and fund-raising

activities.

Focus on grassroots realities: Strengthening links with grassroots by improving exchanges

between Geneva community and the work being carried out at the local levels in developing

countries, including through focused dissemination of outputs and key messages through

electronic and other means.

The first four years of our operations have developed valuable knowledge, expertise and networks,

providing a strong foundation for strategic growth. Our growth planning will also take into account the key

developments in the global trade and economic scenario to ensure that we are focused on the critical and

emerging needs of developing countries in the second decade of the 21st century while building on our

unique strengths and capabilities.

Some of the key developments in global economic and trade scenario with important bearing on our

growth trajectory include:

Challenge to multilateralism, particularly the Doha Round impasse: Multilateralism is not yielding

the results the global community urgently needs in the fields of trade, climate change or food

security, to name a few. The Doha Round is “officially” at a standstill, prompting some to question

even the continued utility of the WTO. UNCTAD XIII managed to adopt a consensus outcome but

calls for reinventing UNCTAD are stronger than ever. Expectation for Rio+20 scheduled in June

2012 are being downgraded. We believe that multilateralism will weather this crisis and our efforts

should be directed at contributing to that end. WTO is the centre piece of multilateralism and must

be supported by emphasizing and strengthening its regular functions while looking for imaginative

and pragmatic options to deliver on Doha Round. Similarly, the opportunity to reform and re-

invigorate UNCTAD should be seized.

Proliferation of regional trade agreements: The number of RTAs has almost doubled in the last

decade and now they cover many more issues than the WTO. The overlapping memberships and

web of differentiated trading arrangements and rules add additional costs to trade and investment

flows. Smaller developing countries are also often at a negotiating disadvantage due to their

limited capacities. We believe that both the WTO and RTAs should be complementary and

support each other. Developing countries should be assisted in better understanding and

maximizing the synergies between the two by building their capacities on trade policy and related

issues at the national, regional and multilateral levels.

35

Emerging issues and need for strategic responses: Climate change, food security, energy crisis,

access to scarce resources, and exchange rate instability have emerged as main issues of

concern. All of them have profound impact on trade. These issues and trade cannot be left to

remain confined to their respective “silos”. Holistic understanding and policy responses are

needed to address them effectively. We believe that there is need for impartial and neutral forums

to discuss the linkages among these issues to improve common understandings and possible

responses. These forums should be open to all relevant stakeholders including the private sector

and CSOs and provide a non-negotiating setting to build open exchange and mutual trust that will

be invaluable for successful outcomes in the formal negotiating forums on these issues.

Changing economic geography and marginalization of smaller developing countries: The last

decade has witnessed a fundamental change in global economic geography. There is a new

QUAD consisting of the US, the EU, China and India. Economic growth and trade flows of BRICS

are increasing much faster than those of the OECD countries. This provides smaller developing

countries with alternatives to the OECD countries as markets for exports and sources of

investment and technology. However, many smaller developing countries, particularly LDCs

remain marginalized and unable to take advantage of these opportunities. We believe that

smaller developing countries and LDCs should be assisted to identify and exploit these

opportunities as well as the lessons that they can learn from the development experience of

BRICS. Recognising that BRICS still have a long way to achieve the levels of development

enjoyed by OECD countries, the effort should be to maximize the means and mechanisms of

“trilateral cooperation”, i.e. bringing together Northern donors and Southern knowledge and

expertise to build capacities of smaller developing countries and LDCs.

We therefore aim to plan our strategic and sustainable growth in 2012-13 and beyond through the

following:

Provision of integrated services to developing countries based on our unique capabilities. This will

involve a gradual move from a project-based to programme-based approach. The integrated

services will include research and analysis, advocacy, and networking to build capacity of all

relevant stakeholders at the national, regional and multilateral levels. The programmes will adopt

a holistic approach for the understanding and treatment of issues, such as trade, climate change,

food security, energy and water, competition policy, etc.

Building of capacity for trade-related policy and negotiations: Working for smaller groups of

developing countries with geographical proximity/commonality of interests, the capacity building

assistance will aim to improve their trade and related policies as well as their participation in all

relevant negotiations. This will attempt to link all relevant negotiations that these countries are

party to (e.g. WTO, EPAs, their own regional integration) on the one hand, and Geneva Missions

with capitals and grassroots on the other.

Strengthening multilateralism: This will have a multi-pronged approach. First and foremost, the

regular work of the WTO will be emphasised and smaller developing countries assisted to

effectively participate and benefit from it. Secondly, innovative and pragmatic approaches will be

devised to harvest benefits from the Doha Round, e.g. in areas with clear benefits for all with

strong development content, will also be explored. The third aspect will explore the establishment

of a neutral and objective Geneva Forum for Development through Trade, serviced by CUTS and

36

consisting of relevant stakeholders, particularly the private sector and CSOs from selected

developed and developing countries, to discuss both old and new issues and challenges in a non-

negotiating setting to develop common understandings and mutual trust. Finally, this work can

also contribute to the efforts to revilatise UNCTAD.

Focussing on LDCs: LDCs remain at the bottom of international trade scene. There is need to

develop and implement capacity building programmes for groups of LDCs, including for

mainstreaming of trade into their development policies and strategies. Enhanced Integrated

Framework (EIF) can be a very useful mechanism to undertake such programmes at the national

and regional levels.

Trilateral cooperation: While developing programmes and seeking funding support, efforts will be

made to identify and use trilateral collaboration. Emerging South can be the source of knowledge

and technology that can be catalyzed through funding from the North to provide targeted

assistance to smaller developing countries.

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Annex 1. Members of the Stakeholder Forum

Dr. Esperanza Duran

Executive Director, AITIC

9, Rue de Varembe, Case Postale 156, 1211,

Geneva 20, Switzerland

Email eduran@aitic.org

Dr. Edwin Laurent

Adviser & Head-International, Trade and

Regional Co-operation, Economic Affairs

Division

Commonwealth Secretariat

Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y

5HX, UK

Email: e.laurent@commonwealth.int

Mr. David Luke

Senior Advisor & Coordinator, Trade and Human

Development Unit, UNDP

11-13, Chemin des Anémones, CH-1219,

Châtelaine/GE, Switzerland

E-mail: david.luke@undp.org

Mr. Habib Ouane

Former Director, Division for Africa, Least

Developed Countries and Special Programmes,

UNCTAD

Palais des Nations, CH-1211, Geneva 10,

Switzerland

E-mail : habib.ouane@unctad.org

Mr. Shishir Priyadarshi

Director, Development Division, WTO

Rue de Lausanne 154, CH-1211, Geneva 21,

Switzerland

Email: shishir.priyadarshi@wto.org

Mr. Christophe Bellmann

Programme Director, ICTSD

13, Chemin des Anemones, 1219, Geneva,

Switzerland

Email cbellmann@ictsd.ch

Ms. Nathalie Bernasconi

Programme Leader, IISD

International Environment House 2, Chemin de

Balexert 9

CH-1219 Châtelaine Geneva, Switzerland

Email: nbernasconi@iisd.org

Ms. Caroline Dommen

Representative, Global Economic Issues,

Quaker United Nations Office,

Quaker House, Avenue du Mervelet 13, 1209

Geneva, Switzerland

Email: cdommen@quno.ch

Mr. Nicolas Imboden

Executive Director, IDEAS Centre

rue de l'Arquebuse 10, CH-1204 Geneva,

Switzerland

Email: nicolas.imboden@ideascentre.ch

Ms. Maria Rosaria Iorio

International Policy Analyst, TPCS

Email: mariaiorio@bluewin.ch

Mr. Geert Laporte

Head of Institutional Relations & Partnerships,

ECDPM

Rue Archimede 5, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Email: gl@ecdpm.org

Mr. Dipankar De Sarkar

Chief of European Bureau, Indo-Asian News

Service, IANS India Private Limited

48, Beverley Gardens Wembley,Middx. HA9

9QZ, UK

dd.sarkar@ians.in

Mr. D. Ravi Kanth

Geneva Editor, Deccan Herald (India) &

Washington Trade Policy

57 Rue Rothschild, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland

Email: drkanth@yahoo.com

Mr. Alan Beattie

42

World Trade Editor, Financial Times, Number

One Southwark Bridge

London SE1 9HL, UK

Email: alan.beattie@ft.com

Mr Jonathan Lynn

World Trade Correspondent, Chief

Correspondent, Geneva

Reuters News, Geneva

Email: Jonathan.lynn@thomsonreuters.com

Dr. Thomas Cottier

Managing Director, World Trade Institute

Hallerstrasse 6, 3012 Berne, Switzerland

Email: thomas.cottier@wti.org

Dr. Joost Pauwelyn

Co-Director, CTEI, GIIDS

132, rue de Lausanne, P.O. Box 136, 1211

Geneva, Switzerland

Email: joost.pauwelyn@graduateinstitute.ch

Mr. Ujal Singh Bhatia

Ambassador and Permanent Representative to

the WTO

Permanent Mission of India to the WTO, Rue du

Valais 9, Geneva 1202, Switzerland

Email: ujalsingh.bhatia@ties.itu.int

Ms. Claire Durkin

Department for Business Enterprise &

Regulatory Reform

1 Victoria Street, London SW1H OET, UK

Email: Claire.Durkin@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Mr. Peter R. Janus

Trade Counsellor, Permanent Representation of

the Kingdom of the Netherlands

31-33 Avenue Giuseppe-Motta, 1202 Geneva,

Switzerland

E-mail: peter.janus@minbuza.nl

Mr Luzius Wasescha

Ambassador, Permanent Representative

Permanent Mission of Switzerland

to the WTO and EFTA (UN/ECE, UNCTAD, ITC)

9-11, Rue de Varembé

CH-1211 Genève 20, Switzerland

E-mail: luzius.wasescha@seco.admin.ch

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Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS)

D-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park

Jaipur 302 016, India.

Ph: 91.141.228 2821

Fx: 91.141.228 2485

Email: cuts@cuts.org

Web: www.cuts-international.org

CUTS Centre for International Trade,

Economics & Environment (CUTS CITEE)

D–217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park

Jaipur 302 016, India

Ph: +91.141.2282821

Fx: +91.141.2282485

Email: citee@cuts.org

Web: www.cuts-citee.org

CUTS Centre for Competition, Investment

and Economic Regulation (CUTS C-CIER)

D–217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park

Jaipur 302 016, India

Ph: +91.141.2282821

Fx: +91.141.2282485

Email: c-cier@cuts.org

Web: http://www.cuts-ccier.org/

CUTS International, Geneva

37-39 rue de Vermont

CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland

Ph: +41 22 734 6080

Fax: +41 22 734 3914

Email: geneva@cuts.org

Web: www.cuts-geneva.org

Lusaka Resource Centre

4th Floor, Main Post Office Building, Cairo Road,

PO Box 37113,Lusaka, Zambia

Ph: +260.1.224992

Fx: +260.1.225220

E-mail: lusaka@cuts.org

Web: www.cuts-international.org/cuts-arc.htm

Nairobi Resource Centre

Co-op Trust Plaza, 1st Floor Lower Hill/Bunyala

Roads Upper Hill,

PO Box 8188-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

Email: nairobi@cuts.org

Web: www.cuts-international.org/cuts-arc.htm

Hanoi Resource Centre

No 112 Kham Thien Str.

Dong Da District

Hanoi, Vietnam

E-mail: hanoi@cuts.org

Web: www.cuts-hanoi.org

Delhi Resource Centre

62, Qutab View Apartments, Katwaria Sarai,

New Delhi 110 016, India

Ph: +91.11.26863021

Fx: +91.11.26856288

E-mail: delhi@cuts.org

Web: http://www.cuts-international.org/cuts-

drc.htm

Calcutta Resource Centre

3, Suren Tagore Road, 2nd Floor, Calcutta 700

019, India

Ph: +91.33.24604985

Fx: +91.33.24604987

E-mail: calcutta@cuts.org

Web: www.cuts-international.org/cuts-crc.htm

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Centre for Human Development (CHD)

Rawala, Senti,

Chittorgarh 312 025, Rajasthan, India

Ph: 91.1472.241 472

Fx: 91.1472.247 715

E-mail: chd@cuts.org

Web: http://www.cuts-international.org/chd/