It would be difficult to reach a conclusion to the Doha agreement in 2010, unless a "serious acceleration" in the pace of the process was not implemented, World Trade Organisation (WTO) director-general (DG) Pascal Lamy said on Tuesday.

"We need to see real negotiations emerge, not only informal consultations and discussions, but real exchanges among members. We need to do so in a manner, which is inclusive and leaves no interest behind. We need to ensure greater transparency over bilateral discussions so that every member feels it is part of an overall process," he asserted during a Trade Negotiations Committee meeting.

Lamy reported that, one month into the WTO devised working plan, some progress had been made in areas such as trade facilitation.

"I also think that we have seen serious engagement by members on templates and scheduling in agriculture as well as nonagricultural market access. A number of members have also engaged in some bilateral consultations," he said.

Meanwhile, the DG noted that the WTO's 7th Ministerial Conference, which was separate from the Doha negotiations, would be different than the large-scale weeklong events held since 1998.

"It is our hope that ministers will come to Geneva to address and interact on a few key themes, regarding the WTO and the multilateral trading system, the ‘big picture' so to say. It is time that ministers are given the opportunity to engage in a more wide-ranging systemic debate and to provide the WTO with guidance for the next few years," stated Lamy.

However, he emphasised that while the meeting was separate from the Doha negotiations, this did not mean that ministers' statements or discussions could not deal with the issue of the Doha negotiations.

"On the contrary, it would seem rather odd if the elephant in the room remained nameless. This is why discussion of the Doha Round is specifically foreseen in themes for the working sessions. And in this specific context, I think that the 7th Ministerial Conference represents an important platform for ministers to send a strong signal of commitment to concluding the Doha Development Round," he noted.