WTO-FOOD
& AGRICULTURE RELATED MATTERS CELL
(WTO- FARM CELL) PARC
WTO
Cell at PARC
With globalization, economies are now widely opened and it necessitates changes
in economic environment aiming at change management, with the view of successful
transition to [knowledge] tech-based economy. With global restructuring of
economies in this backdrop, national Science and Technology [S&T] and
Research & Development(R&D) policies cannot remain in oblivion; and thus
are [also] undergoing restructuring- a phenomenon for which a term 'Techno-Globalism'
has been coined.
This paradigm-shift in the area of technology/research, has led to changes in S&T/R&D policies being pursued [earlier] by the national governments, seeking a shift from Techno-Nationalism to Techno-Globalism. This shift is now quite visible, for example, at EU level, where Technologically Advanced Nations [TANs] like Germany are now all set to reorient their technology policy, earlier focusing sharply on Techno-Nationalism. The changed focus in their [national] policy now centers on building [EU] regional capacity through modernization of institutions and procedures [policy] at that level.
This change has been precipitated by the fact that [today] the national policies of these countries [like many others] are deeply embedded in [variable] geometry of international agreements and organizations,like the World Trade Organization [WTO]. Globalization of [Tech-led] trade under WTO, has led countries to think of strengthening their technological [industrial] base, with the view to build their competence in competitiveness in international trade. To manage the change, in the area of S &T/R&D, there is an added focus these days on the need for effective policy instruments, which can bring about the required change in stipulated time period. In this context, with trade liberalization inter alia in food & agricultural under the WTO regime, the upcoming shift in S& T and R&D paradigms have a great relevance to the National Agricultural Research Systems(NARSs)- like the one orchestrated by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council(PARC).
The WTO Agreements and other such multilateral agreements/policy frame works e.g. the Multilateral Environmental Agreements(MEAs), have led countries think about enhancement of their capacities, both at national and regional level, in hitherto virgin areas like regulations on environmental protection, Intellectual Property(IP) Management, genetic engineering & bio-safety, liberalization of telecom services, data protection & management, harmonization/ equivalence of standards and control of transboundry diseases. For example, the WTO [General] Agreement on Trade in Services [GATS],concomitant global trends suggesting mergers & acquisitions, and as a result emerging global giants, have helped hasten this process of setting technological norms and regulating corporate mergers- the competition policy, and much more as to manage the change.
Technology issues, for example those in the WTO, like agricultural biotechnology-GMOs perspective, bio-pharmaceuticals, bio-ethics & health, energy & environment, information & communication technologies [ICT] along with other innovations in S &T sector; and those related to Trans-nationals [TNCs] & Multinationals [MNCs] are yet other areas at heart of the policies of many countries these days. The developing countries [DCs], while contrasting their situation with TANs, particularly with reference to TNCs/ MNCs-the latter having access to knowledge, technology and capital, feel that there isn't level playing field for them in tech-led [international] trade.
Economies in transition, are poised, on lines of the developed market economies [DMEs] /TANs, to manage [quality] information and infrastructure for technology & development in this area, and thus gear up for tech-based [trade] development superhighway. Whereas, ICT is the focal area, in most cases, microelectronics, new materials and Biotech/ genetic engineering are yet other areas of interest, in the global trade perspective, to many of these countries.
The economic development & growth in terms of potential output of the DMEs and for that matter other countries rides on four wheels i.e. Human Resource, capital formation, natural resource base and technological innovations. These remain [four] key factors or elements of development/progress. Of these, 4th wheel-technological advancement is an important factor contributing towards the development.
USA and Japan are manifest examples of, how countries can build their economies by adopting [foreign] S & T and research to local market conditions. For example, by adopting foreign [productive] technologies Japan moved to its present position, as the world's largest [industrial] economy.
One of the [key] tasks of economic development is cultivating, fostering and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit. A country cannot sustain growth until there is critical mass, ready to face challenges, take risks by adopting new technologies and embracing the standards' economy-change management, and thus setting a stage for innovative development. It is with this concept that DCs have to gear up for using this 4th wheel for their own development including inter alia through their NARSs.
Given their resource constraints, coupled with technological inadequacies and weaker knowledge base [capability], it is difficult for the DCs to catch the pace and thus manage the needed change under the business as usual scenario. In this context, until and unless the needed policy instruments are in place, political will is mustered and political energy translated in to actions guided towards realization of paradigm shift, it will be difficult to manage the needed change.
A 2- pronged [rewarding] strategy, in this regard, will be guided by [strategic planning] the need for building [both] national and regional capacities geared towards development of Regional Trading Areas [RTAs], amply supported by S &T/R&D settings, like NARS; and capitalizing on their synergies & complementarities. It is easier said than done; yet those who wish to climb mountains [have always to] start by putting [1st] step forward. DCs are [bound] to start somewhere and learn co-existence, for the common good of their people, to withstand the wave of trade liberalization.
In this context, the first and foremost issue is an access to credible source of information on technologies and development of quality infrastructure. To this end DCs need to promote dialogue on S & T/R&D policies, which shall help develop organizations and procedures for technology generation, [their] evaluation, diffusion and study [their] economic impact and socio-political implications. This, in turn, shall help them put in an enabling environment for taking informed decisions. Such a capacity at Regional Trading Area [RTA] level would be rewarding. ECO and SAARC platforms need to be geared for change management along with appropriate national level initiatives. PARC as an apex body in NARS has also a role to play in this context.
In this backdrop and being cognizant of the challenge of globalization in general and the WTO food & agriculture regime for the National Agricultural Research System in particular, the WTO Food & Agriculture Related Matters Cell (PARC) was established in 2000,which in a shorter span of 5 years emerged as a dedicated organ with in NARS settings & Pakistan. Since then, it has generated empirical evidence to inform WTO negotiations on one hand and to manage change under the WTO regime on food & agriculture, on the other. The Cell organized series of seminars & workshops and forged partnership with civil society and academia to promote WTO related awareness. It also brought out number of publications including brochures, popular articles, review & policy/ research papers, training manuals, research reports and books.
The WTO-FARM Cell however, remained inactive from 2005-08, as the Director WTO-FARM Cell went on deputation to the MINFAL. From October 2008, the Cell has been reactivated and staffing & related support is being secure to make it fully functional.
[Back]
