G-20

Public services unions open new trade agreements to public debate

Original Publication Date: 
16 September, 2014
Source: 
Public Services International (PSI)
At Public Services International (PSI) Global Trade Summit 2014, in Washington, D.C., union leaders from all over the world called for public scrutiny of new wave of global trade agreements, which are now being discussed behind closed doors.

TiSA: The threat to public services by the backdoor

Original Publication Date: 
11 September, 2014
Source: 
Confédération Européenne des Syndicats Indépendants (CESI)
Following a hearing on TTIP in the Luxemburgish Parliament, CESI President Romain Wolff sees TTIP as a distraction to another important trade agreement, the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA). Here, Mr Wolff warns of a threat to public services by the back door.

Misplaced claims of deadline sanctity for TFA

Original Publication Date: 
31 July, 2014
Source: 
SUNS - South North Development Monitor
In this timely article one of the most sensible commentator on trade policy issues of our time, throws more light on misplaced claims of deadline sanctity for Trade Facilitation Agreement in the backdrop of US-WTO propaganda about the missed deadline for the adoption of a Protocol of Amendment to incorporate the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) into Annex 1A of the Marrakesh agreement.

Indian Farmers' Statement on India's Stand at the WTO - 23 July 2014

Delivery date: 
23 July, 2014
In a statement released ahead of the WTO General Council meeting tomorrow, farmers organization in India called upon the Indian Government to stand firm on linking the Food Security proposal with the Trade Facilitation Agreement in WTO. Farmers’ leaders expressed shock over the Chair's summary of the G 20 trade ministers meeting which was held on July 19 at Sydney.

Indian farmers organizations call upon the Government to stand firm on food security issue at the WTO

Original Publication Date: 
23 July, 2014
In a statement released ahead of the WTO General Council meeting tomorrow, farmers organization in India called upon the Indian Government to stand firm on linking the Food Security proposal with the Trade Facilitation Agreement in WTO. Farmers’ leaders expressed shock over the Chair's summary of the G 20 trade ministers meeting which was held on July 19 at Sydney.

Future of WTO Negotiations Hangs in the Balance at G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting

Original Publication Date: 
19 July, 2014
Source: 
The Huffington Post
In the backdrop of G20 trade ministers meeting on July 19 at Sydney, Deborah James writes on various critical issues that are important for developing countries and least developed countries as this meeting can be used to build consensus toward positions that can be brought back to forums where decisions can be enforced, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO).

As G20 trade ministers meet in Sydney, international CSOs urge that development must come before “Trade Facilitation” in WTO

Original Publication Date: 
18 July, 2014
In the backdrop of trade ministers meet in Sydney, today, 164 civil society organizations and trade unions from more than 150 developing and developed countries urged government representatives in Geneva to “condition the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to the conclusion and fulfillment of the Development mandate under the Doha negotiations.”

International civil society urges that development must come before Trade Facilitation in WTO

Delivery date: 
18 July, 2014
In the backdrop of trade ministers meet in Sydney, today, 164 civil society organizations and trade unions from more than 150 developing and developed countries urged government representatives in Geneva to “condition the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to the conclusion and fulfillment of the Development mandate under the Doha negotiations.”

Wikileaks Expose Secret Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) - Financial Services Annex

Original Publication Date: 
19 June, 2014
Source: 
Press Release by Wikileaks
The WikiLeaks just published the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) - Financial Service annex text. It confirms the concerns expressed by civil society organizations on TISA.

Secret TISA deal puts public services at risk around the world - Public Services International

Original Publication Date: 
19 June, 2014
Source: 
Press Release by Public Services International (PSI)
The Public Services International, a global trade union federation reiterates its opposition to Trade In Services Agreement, in the backdrop of WikiLeaks release of TISA - Financial Services Annex text

Major effort on to railroad developing countries to surrender at Bali?

Original Publication Date: 
30 November, 2013
Source: 
SUNS - South North Development Monitor
In this article Mr Chakravarthi Raghavan, who has been following GATT/WTO for the past decade, highlights problems in the undemocratic WTO process and resistance from developing countries. He argues that, "it is not for developing countries to act and enable the US and EU to gain confidence in the WTO system as an instrument to deliver for them, but it is time for the US, EU and secretariats of international organisations to act to regain confidence in them of the developing world and their people."

US Civil society call upon US Govt. to support G33 Food Security Proposal

Delivery date: 
26 November, 2013
In this letter to Ambassador Mike Froman, United State Trade Representative (USTR) and Ambassador Michael Punke Deputy USTR and Permanent Representative to the WTO, Civil society groups from US express dismay over over US opposition to G33 proposal and urged the US government to support the G33’s proposal to allow for greater public spending to ensure more stable food supplies and prices in developing countries

Video: Press Conference, G20 Counter-Summit, St-Petersburg, Sept. 2, 2013

Original Publication Date: 
2 September, 2013

G20 Counter-Summit Press Conference
St-Petersburg, Sept. 2, 2013

With Boris Kagarlitsky (Institute for Globalization and Social Movements, IGSO, Russia), Diana Aguiar (Brazil Network for the Integration of Peoples -REBRIP, Brazil), Kevin Danaher (Global Exchange, USA), Au Loong Yu (China Labor Net, China)

Press Release: G20 Summit and Counter summit in Saint-Petersburg

Original Publication Date: 
26 August, 2013
On the 3-4th of September in St. Petersburg a counter-summit, a large-scale international event that aims to be an alternative to the September G20 Summit and to develop new principles of economic and social policy that are not based on the "Washington Consensus" will be held. The international counter-summit organised by the "Post-globalization" initiative will bring together world-renowned experts, politicians, economists, social scientists from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. In the frames of the counter-summit panel discussions, seminars and public lectures will be held.

Towards G20 Counter-Summit 2013: Conference "The End of Neoliberalism", Kiev

Original Publication Date: 
4 June, 2013

Towards the G20 Counter-Summit in Russia in September 2013, on the 11-12 of June 2013 the conference THE END OF NEOLIBERALISM will take place in Kyiv, involving the leading academics from Western and Eastern Europe, who conduct research on economic and social aspects of globalization. The conference will be held within the international initiative Post-Globalization, supported by the Scientific and Technological Potential and History of Science Research Center of NAS of Ukraine, Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine, Visual Culture Research Center and Center for Society Research.

Press Release: Post-Globalization Initiative, towards a Counter-Summit on G20

Original Publication Date: 
2 May, 2013

Crash of neoliberal model and hegemony of the USA it was declared during scientific conference in Moscow within the Post-globalization initiative. Participants decided to organize Counter-Summit for G-20 in St. Petersburg. They are sure that it gives an opportunity to form a coalition of movements, non-governmental organizations, labour unions and individuals which are brought together not only by the common need to criticize the “Washington consensus” and current global economic order but also by the common will to design new policies and alternative strategies to overcome the current crisis.

Global Call, Towards a Peoples' Counter-Summit on G20, Russia, Sept. 2013

Original Publication Date: 
25 April, 2013
LET'S MOBILIZE
TOWARDS THE PEOPLES' COUNTER-SUMMIT ON G20
St-Petersburg, Russia / September 3-4, 2013

SYSTEM CHANGE IS THE ONLY RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL CRISIS !
Let's build together a
Post-Globalization Alternative to NeoLiberalism !

Global civil society groups called on the G 20 governments to reject further discussion on WTO negotiations, in the meeting of the G20 in Mexico in June 2012

Due date: 
17 June, 2012
Delivery date: 
21 June, 2012
Global civil society groups called on the G 20 governments to reject the discussion on further liberalization of trade in the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, in the meeting of the G20 in Mexico in June 2012. In a statement, civil society groups stated that, the G20 does not have legitimacy to decide the future of global trade governance since only a forum which includes all members, regardless of their economic power, can legitimately make decisions on major issues pertaining to the future of WTO negotiations.

Civil Society Groups Slam G20 Agenda on WTO

Original Publication Date: 
21 June, 2012
In advance of the G20 meeting in Mexico this week, civil society groups working together in the Our World Is Not for Sale (OWINFS) network sent a letter to governments participating in the meetings urging them to reject discussing the further liberalization of trade in the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, at the G20 meetings in Mexico.

G20 Platform of Common Demands

Original Publication Date: 
6 November, 2010
The G20 is an unelected and select group of countries whose membership was originally drawn in response to the financial crises of the 1990s.1 The group came to its current position of prominence as a result of the latest wave of crises starting in 2007, as it had become clear that the G8 were incapable of responding without the collaboration of those from outside their number. The G20 has illegitimately proclaimed itself to be the premier forum of global economic governance for the future. In particular, the G20 seeks to dictate which bodies should be entrusted with responsibility for policing the global economy on its behalf. The G20’s policy agenda is driven primarily by the interests of global capital, as business leaders meet regularly in closed session with G20 ministers in the run-up to the G20 summits.G20 is trying to promote further liberalisation of trade, investment, finance and public services as a solution to the crisis. Recognizing that profound and fundamental change to the system is the ONLY solution to the crisis, member organisations and social movements of Our World Is Not For Sale make the following demands: