The talks have failed to proceed further because of differences between the rich and developing countries, mainly over agriculture subsidies, export sops and market access.

In Geneva last year, the talks particularly collapsed because of the differences over the special safeguard mechanism - a provision that would permit developing countries to guard against sudden surges in imports, or when commodity prices decline.

Developing countries, the African members and small and vulnerable economies, which together have a membership of more than 100 countries, are concerned about the livelihood security of farmers and opposed the stand of rich nations.

According to Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean, who is here for the meeting, told reporters on the margins of a conference Wednesday that while there was a lot of common ground among the member countries, several issues also remained unresolved.

'But this is not a negotiating session. There are issues and complexities of the issues and I think we should try and identify the areas that we need to address,' Crean said at the event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).