ABSTRACT
The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Doha round of trade negotiations was launched in the shadow of the horrific events of 11 September 2001 to demonstrate global solidarity and to highlight global cooperation in meeting global challenges. To enhance its appeal among a large number of developing countries that remained sceptical about the need for such an enterprise, it was billed a Development round, a round which would address the imbalances of the past and give due importance to the special needs of developing countries. The Ministerial Declaration adopted at Doha on 14 November 2001 is replete with references to the role of international trade in promoting development and alleviating poverty. It makes a special reference to the vulnerabilities of the least developed countries (LDCs) and commits itself to addressing their marginalization in international trade and to improving their effective participation in the multilateral trading system.
