They also cautioned them to remain vigilant against the stalemate created by the developed countries in negotiations to frustrate the positive gains of the LDCs and the developing countries.

A letter from them was handed over to WTO Coordinator for LDCs and Bangladesh Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at his secretariat office yesterday.

Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya handed over the letter that underscored the need for a collective stand by all to face challenges and overcome pressures.

Representatives from Oxfam, Consumers International, EU-LDC Network, Switzerland-based SEATINI, SAWTEE and CPD signed the letter.

The WTO ministerial conference is going to be held in the Mexican city of Cancun from September 10 to 14.

The letter referred to the LDC trade ministers' Dhaka declaration and the international civil society forum declaration of six non-government organisations that preceded the trade ministers' meeting here on May 29-30.

Terming the Dhaka declaration 'excellent, powerful and comprehensive', the civil society organisations urged the LDC ministers "to stay on course and not abandon the united position."

They also urged the trade ministers to work with civil society groups in their respective countries in facing the WTO-related challenges.

The letter also called upon the ministers to incorporate the concerns in the Dhaka declaration of the international civil society forum in the LDCs' official position at the Cancun conference.

It referred to the obstacles that the developed countries are creating to frustrate the positive achievements of the earlier Doha declaration and said only a united stand will be able to overcome the obstacles.