DG Okonjo-Iweala urges members to explore new ways to revitalize WTO at South-South event

Speaking at the 8th South-South Dialogue on Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) and Development on 6 March in Geneva, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the importance of members' work to reform the WTO in the run-up to the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) to be held on 26-29 March. She acknowledged the progress they have made in addressing LDCs' trade priorities and encouraged LDCs to continue pursuing their trade interests.

DG Okonjo-Iweala urges members to explore new ways to revitalize WTO at South-South event

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• Trade and development
• WTO Reform
• Least-developed countries (LDCs)

DG Okonjo-Iweala noted that in a changing global economy, LDCs can benefit from their demographic dividend and rich endowments of critical minerals. She stressed that the evolving trading landscape offers new opportunities for LDCs to integrate into regional and global markets in areas such as services and digital trade.�

DG Okonjo-Iweala said: "WTO reform will be key for helping LDCs trade, grow economically and develop. We need to have a modern WTO that can help transform your economies."�

The DG also highlighted members' efforts aimed at advancing negotiations on trade and development, agriculture and fisheries subsidies related to overcapacity and overfishing. She also outlined negotiations in the Work Programme on E-commerce, including the moratorium on e-commerce customs duties. In addition, she noted the opportunities provided by the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement for attracting investment and adding value to LDCs' exports. DG Okonjo-Iweala also recognized the importance of the Cotton Partnership for advancing LDCs' integration into global trade.�

The event saw the participation of around 60 government representatives from LDCs and development partners who discussed WTO reform and LDCs' trade and development priorities.

The General Council Chair, Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel of Saudi Arabia, said: "In these challenging times, the world needs the WTO - especially its LDC members - now more than ever. The WTO must keep pace with the changing global landscape. With your active engagement, I trust that we will succeed."

The WTO reform facilitator, Ambassador Petter �lberg of Norway, said: "I will share two main messages today: let us all lean in on the ongoing reform process and let us broaden our perspectives on trade-led development in the WTO."

Ambassador Muhammadou Kah of The Gambia said: "With MC14 just a few weeks away, reform discussions must move to practical and pragmatic convergence. For the LDC Group, reform must strengthen the development dimension of the WTO. At MC14, we must demonstrate progress on trade and development and on LDC priorities, including LDC graduation."

Ambassador Yongjie Li of China said: "Despite current trade tensions and global uncertainties, the WTO remains an indispensable anchor of stability. Strengthening the rules-based multilateral trading system requires meaningful WTO reform. MC14 represents a pivotal moment to renew our commitment to significant reforms. It must also deliver outcomes focused on development.

Representing one of the key pillars of China's LDCs and Accessions Programme,the South-South Dialogue on LDCs and Developmentaims to strengthen LDCs' participation in the multilateral trading system. There are currently 44 LDCs, of which 37 are WTO members and five are in the process of accession.

More information on the event is available here.

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