Director-General Roberto Azevêdo has used the opportunity of the OECD annual Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris on 4 June to talk with a range of Ministers on the ongoing work in Geneva to conclude, by July this year, a work programme on the remaining issues of the Doha Development Agenda. The work programme will be an important springboard towards a successful WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in December
While in Paris, the Director-General was able to accept an invitation to participate in an informal ministerial meeting co-chaired by Ambassador Amina Mohamed, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Steve Ciobo MP, Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment.
The Director-General updated Ministers on work in Geneva, as he had done with all WTO members in Geneva on 1 June.
Speaking after the meeting, the Director-General said:
“While I am encouraged by the good engagement that we have seen in recent months, I am becoming increasingly concerned that we are not making the progress we need to deliver a substantive work programme in July. This is particularly the case in the key areas of agriculture, industrial products and services. I heard views today that are clearly divergent on some of these issues. It is vital that we move quickly to find convergence if we are to deliver results that are both meaningful and achievable. I will do everything I can to support members to find a way forward.
“I told ministers that we were rapidly approaching the point where political calls will be required. It was encouraging in this regard to hear strong support from Ministers for the WTO and a recognition of the importance that they attach to a successful Nairobi meeting.
“I was delighted that Amina Mohamed was able to co-chair the meeting on behalf of Kenya. She gave a clear message on the need to deliver outcomes at the Nairobi meeting. There was a strong focus throughout the discussion on the importance of development and LDC issues.”
The Director-General will attend a meeting of G7 Leaders on Monday 8 June, before returning to Geneva to continue his consultations on the July work programme.