Abu-Ghazaleh Chairs WTO’s New DG Recommendation Session

Suggestions to be submitted to the WTO’s new Director General Mr. Roberto Azevêdo, who will take office next month

GENEVA ---- July 11, 2013 ----- An expert panel meeting was held at the headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO) organized by the Evian Group and chaired by HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh to discuss recommendations and suggestions to be submitted to the WTO’s new Director General Mr. Roberto Azevêdo, who will take office next month.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh had already submitted a report titled “WTO at Crossroads” that brings insight into the required reforms of the top global body dealing with the rules of trade between nations.

The session was moderated by Director General of the Switzerland based Evian Group Mr. Carlos Braga and HE Mr. Sergio Marchi former WTO DG, current minister and former Canadian Ambassador to Geneva.

A number of ambassadors to WTO attended the meeting in addition to the two deputies of the WTO’s DG and world trade experts working for international think tanks and organizations.

WTO is at crossroads imposed by a multitude of challenges resulting from deadlock negotiations after the Doha Round some 12 years ago. The Organization was adversely affected by global trade negotiation trends between some groups of states outside the organization and the prevalent negative image it had in the civil society. Not less significant is the number of member states that have increased to 160.

The recommendations proposed for the new DG tap, among other issues, include the consensus or voting system for decision making process, holding the ministerial conference annually, standing towards Doha Round’s decisions, required structural reforms, its approved agenda, proposed items, the role of business sector and civil society in WTO’s ministerial deliberations.

Other issues aimed at increasing the efficiency of the Organization and its inclusiveness of all international society sectors, and to move forward in the liberation of trade, particularly the trade of services, which is seen as offering the best opportunity for growth given the new information and communication technologies as a means to facilitate e-commerce.

WTO is to hold its Annual Public Forum mid-October to which HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh is invited as a keynote speaker on the these issues.