THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS IN SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE A GREATER LIBERALIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE, IN PARTICULAR THROUGH A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO THE URUGUAY ROUND

Resolution adopted without a vote by the 86th Inter-Parliamentary Conference
(Santiago, 12 October 1991)

The 86th Inter-Parliamentary Conference,

Mindful of the essential contribution of international trade to the continued growth and development of the world economy as a whole, and its constituent countries individually, especially the developing nations,

Being aware both of the constraints on growth and development which can arise from various forms of protectionism, and of the opportunities which can be generated by trade liberalization despite some short-term problems, and recognizing the importance of maintaining a balanced social structure in all countries,

Convinced that the interests of the world community will best be served by an open, rules-based and comprehensive multilateral trading system,

Recalling that the only such system in existence is embodied in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT),

Recognizing that the debt-servicing capacity of developing countries depends on increasing their exports, not least agricultural products and services,

Further recognizing that the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations is the principal means available for improving and extending the GATT and significantly increasing trade liberalization,

Deeply concerned that the Uruguay Round was not concluded on schedule at the end of 1990, and that major differences remain in several key areas, including agriculture and services,

Conscious of the urgent need for planned progress in resolving these differences if the negotiations are to be concluded without further costly delay,

1. Invites Parliaments and Governments to recognize the damage to the multilateral trading system and the boost to protectionism which would ensue should the Uruguay Round be allowed to collapse;
   
2. Considers that an outcome to the Uruguay Round which creates a fairer and more liberal world trading environment will contribute significantly to the long-term prosperity and well-being of the consumers and producers of goods and services;
   
3. Calls on the Parliaments and Governments of countries participating in the Uruguay Round to facilitate the successful conclusion of these negotiations, and stresses the need to safeguard the interests of all parties in the adjustment process, while minimizing negative effects;
   
4. Urges those countries seeking to resolve particular differences in the negotiations to adopt a flexible approach to overcoming these obstacles, bearing in mind that all participants have an interest in a comprehensive and far-reaching outcome;
   
5. Asks all Parliaments and Governments to take into consideration the interests of developing countries, especially in the field of agricultural exports and the strengthening of their service sectors so as to participate fully in and derive advantage from the process of progressive liberalization, the phasing out of the MFA (Multi-Fibre Arrangement) and the phasing in of GATT disciplines, and the maintenance of the principle of "differential and more favourable treatment" for developing countries' exports;
   
6. Recommends that participants in the Uruguay Round endeavour to enhance the role and mechanisms of the GATT;
   
7. Invites all Parliaments and Governments to support the 8th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD VIII) scheduled for February 1992 in Colombia so that it may achieve concrete results that will help to reactivate international trade and the world economy, particularly as concerns the developing countries;
   
8. Requests all Parliaments to support fully their countries' representatives in the GATT negotiations in their efforts to secure a successful and mutually beneficial outcome to the Uruguay Round, preferably before the end of 1991.