DG Azevêdo calls for APEC members’ “continued support” in efforts to improve the WTO
Addressing via video a meeting of APEC trade ministers in Viña del Mar, Chile on 17 May, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo called on ministers to maintain their support for the trading system during an “extremely challenging” time for global trade. He argued that members have an opportunity to strengthen the trading system, but warned that inaction “would compromise the relevance or even the existence of the system as we know it”. During his message for the session, entitled “Supporting the Multilateral Trading System”, the Director-General also provided an update on the range of discussions and negotiations that are ongoing at the WTO.
DG Azevêdo said:
“APEC’s role in fostering economic cooperation and promoting trade has made a very significant contribution to growth and development across the region. This drive for cooperation on trade issues could not be more important today. Clearly this is an extremely challenging time for global trade. The trade tensions that we see these days are being reflected in the WTO itself. This has led to the current debate on reform, which touches on all areas of our work. Some have concerns about the direction these conversations may take. But inaction would compromise the relevance or even the existence of the system as we know it.
“The decisions that members take now will determine our path forward. We have the opportunity to improve the WTO, and to build a better, faster and more responsive trading system. I ask for APEC members’ continued support in that effort.”
Source: wto.org
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