Development in African countries was the main topic at the second day of the UN conference in Accra, Ghana. A global food price hike recently made the restoration of the Doha Round possible. Would African countries benefit from international trade after Doha trade talks are restored? Our reporter Wu Peng has the story.

The 12th session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development comes during a world economic crisis. Participants discussed rising global food prices on the opening day of the session. On Monday, the topic shifted to one problem even more difficult to solve, the development of African countries.

African countries have been suffering from an adverse situation in international trade for years. Rwandan president Paul Kagame attributed this to unbalanced trade policies.

"Many ways, a global trade system is disadvantageous to African subsidies in developed countries. Barriers of entering global market and issues related to intellectual property rights are some examples. Addressing these issues requires resolute support from institutions like UNCTAD and WTO to ensure that Africa participate on a relatively level playing field."

WTO Director-general Pascal Lamy said only through reform can the international trade system deal with challenges such as climate change, energy consumption and food price increases.

Lamy said the Doha trade talks, which will bring new development opportunities to the African countries, are expected to be restored soon.

"The reduction of trade distorting domestic subsidies for developed countries will reduce by 75 percent. Export subsidies are to be eliminated."

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon urged participating countries to make greater efforts on the issue of agricultural subsidies in the Doha Round, so as to help African countries seize development opportunities through international trade.

"Today's high commodity prices present a unique opportunity to reduce trade distorting subsidies and tariffs on agricultural products."

The Doha Round of trade negotiations was launched in 2001 with the aim of bringing down trade barriers to promote development. It has been stalled due to disagreements over agricultural subsidies and import tariffs.

Developing countries have been pressing for an end to agricultural subsidies in developed countries, which in return seek better industrial market access in the emerging economies.

Wu Peng, CRI News