On Saturday, Brazil’s Roberto Azevêdo becomes director of the World Trade Organisation at what is a critical time. It is accepted by most pundits that the international system is failing to respond to crises in finance, climate and food. Unfortunately, in the past, the WTO has succumbed to pressure to promote the narrow commercial interests of the most powerful trading nations and the largest corporations, at the expense of wider public interest and smaller economic enterprises. Azevêdo must seize this chance to bring about a sea change in the organisation and the Trade Justice Movement urges him to resist the Doha proposals which would extend the deregulation that underpinned the global economic crisis.
Azevêdo has spoken clearly on the dangers of unfettered trade liberalisation and trade-distorting subsidies. Now he must turn those words into actions. As members and supporters of the Trade Justice Movement in Britain, we will strive to ensure his words are matched with actions.
Marilyn Thompson Chair, Central American Women’s Network, Paul Valentin International director, Christian Aid, Nick Dearden Director, Jubilee Debt Campaign, Anna McMullen Director, Labour Behind the Label, Adam Ramsey Activism manager, People and Planet, Bente Madeira Co-founder, Reading International Solidarity Centre, Ann Garvie International president, Soroptimist International, Paul Spray Director of policy and programmes, Traidcraft, John Hilary Executive director, War on Want, Deborah Doane Director, World Development Movement