Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Türkiye, the Chair of the WTO agriculture negotiations, facilitated the discussion on the trade aspects of cotton, while Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam, acting on behalf of Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, chaired the meeting on the development dimension of cotton.
"WTO members regret the absence of a negotiating outcome at MC13 on agriculture, including cotton," Ambassador Acarsoy said, "Our goal should be to engage as soon as possible in results-oriented, intensive discussions based on the work done thus far, with a view to achieving a substantive outcome at MC14, taking into account the singularity of cotton."
"The C-4+ recalled the mandate of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration, and urged members to address cotton ambitiously, expeditiously, and specifically within the agriculture negotiations."
"The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) highlighted that global cotton production increased slightly, by 1%, while cotton prices dropped by 7% in the 2023/24 season."
"The International Trade Centre (ITC) introduced the updated Cotton Portal, in partnership with the WTO, highlighting new features and enhanced functions for market research and learning."
"Summarizing the results of the WTO-FIFA high-level event in Abu Dhabi, DDG Paugam stated that the 'Partenariat pour le Coton' marks a new stage of WTO-FIFA cooperation."
"The C-4+ countries welcomed the solid progress made on the WTO-FIFA initiative and stressed the importance of enhancing investment in infrastructure in the long run."
"Benin announced that it will host the 2024 World Cotton Day event on 7 October in collaboration with ICAC, marking the first celebration of this day on African soil."
"The WTO Secretariat presented the latest edition of the 'Evolving Table on Cotton Development Assistance', which provides updates on the implementation and disbursement of development assistance for cotton."
"Higher temperatures will lower cotton yields and quality, ICAC warned, in a presentation highlighting the challenges that the sector faces due to climate change."
"Following a proposal put forward by the C-4+, WTO members agreed to change the agenda item on 'COVID and Cotton' to 'Crises Affecting the Cotton Industry'."