PRESENTER:
Ambassador Faizel Ismail
former South African Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation
Date: Thursday, 11 June
Time: 12:30 – 13:30
Venue: VCRs, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban
The HSRC seminar series is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The views and opinions expressed therein as well as findings and statements of the seminar series do not necessarily represent the views of DST.
Since its inception the BRICS’ has had the aim of transforming the unequal and unjust nature of international global governance. In doing this the BRICS intend to fill the existing gaps in the global financial system, lobby for greater influence in International Financial Institutions, and provide an alternative voice on international security issues, trade and governance. The BRICS share of global trade has more than doubled in the last decade and has thus gave them impetus to pursue the reform of the World Trade Organisation. This reform is intended to create a WTO that is more equitable and reflective of the growing weight of developing states.
Mr Faizel Ismail, a former Ambassador of South Africa to the WTO will in his presentation discuss some of the BRICS perspectives for reform in the WTO. Reflecting on South Africa’s participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO) since the birth of its democracy in 1994, the presentation will tease out the issues that require reform and how these reforms should not be piecemeal but should lead to a more fundamental refashioning of the trading system towards making it more equitable, balanced and development orientated, and that is more inclusive and transparent in its decision making.
The seminar may be attended in Pretoria, Cape Town or Durban
RSVP by 10 June
Cape Town: Carmen August (021) 466 7827, caugust@hsrc.ac.za 12th Floor, Plein Park Building, Plein Street, Cape Town
Durban: Ridhwaan Khan (031) 242 5400, rkhan@hsrc.ac.za 1st Floor, 750 Francois Road, Ntuthuko Junction, Pods 5 and 6, Cato Manor
Pretoria: Arlene Grossberg (012) 302 2811, acgrossberg@hsrc.ac.za 1st Floor, HSRC Building, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria