(a) whether India proposes to host the next meeting of the Group of 20 developing countries on agriculture in March,2005; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
(a) whether India proposes to host the next meeting of the Group of 20 developing countries on agriculture in March,2005; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)
(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. India will be hosting at New Delhi from 17-19 March 2005, a Ministerial Meeting of the G-20 countries which will be preceded by a meeting of G-20 Senior Officials. The G-20 will also hold consultations with the country-coordinators of some developing country alliances and regional groupings, namely, the G-33, Africa Group, Least Developed Countries, ACP (African Caribbean and Pacific Countries) and CARICOM (Caribbean Community) to discuss issues in the agriculture negotiations underway in the World Trade Organisation. The G-20 will also brainstorm on other areas of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, including on non-agricultural products, services and development issues.