The draft Nairobi Ministerial Declaration, released this afternoon, reveals that members reached a consensus on addressing three core areas of agriculture trade, two LDCs issues and cotton. But difference on continuation of Doha round still prevailing which is clearly reflected in the draft declaration. The ministerial declaration agreed on relaxed rules of origin (ROO) for the exports of the least developed countries (LDCs) and also waiver in services trade for the countries. As members failed to bridge the gaps on agriculture as well as continuation on Doha round on Friday – the scheduled closing day of the conference – the talks ultimately entered an extended day, Saturday. Negotiators worked until Saturday morning to reach a consensus for preparing the ministerial text for declaration. However, the draft, released after third revision, will have to be endorsed by all the members at a meeting, which was going on while filing the report at 5.30pm Kenyan time (8.30 pm BST).
