Ambassador Dwarka-Canabady, who was appointed as facilitator by members and announced by the General Council Chair on 18 April, has reported her consultations with 34 delegations and group coordinators. These groups represent more than two-thirds of the membership and have been consulted on how to advance the work on dispute settlement reform. In addition to these discussions, Ambassador Dwarka-Canabady also met with technical experts from member delegations.
Following these consultations, she conveyed that work will proceed in two configurations: monthly Heads of Delegations (HoDs) meetings and technical work conducted by experts representing World Trade Organization (WTO) members. The first HoDs meeting is scheduled for 30 May and will focus on appeal/review and accessibility. This meeting will be accessible remotely to capital-based officials. Technical work, including drafting texts, will be conducted through thematic meetings among experts representing WTO members. At least one of these technical meetings will also be open to remote access by capital-based officials.
In a communication sent to members, Ambassador Dwarka-Canabady invited members to nominate experts who could act as co-conveners for various areas of technical work in the process.
"I must say that across the consultations, a common element was a sense of urgency to complete work by 2024 and earlier if possible," Ambassador Dwarka-Canabady said. "It is our common responsibility to take care of the system, and I know I can count on your constructive approach," she added.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala encouraged members to adopt a collaborative approach: "Let's get it done so that it will be something treasured by each and every member, which means we have to listen to each other and think of the greater good. I'm very optimistic."
Deputy Director-General Ellard echoed this sentiment, expressing positivity about the consultation process thus far and affirming the Secretariat's support: "It's been a pleasure to hear the optimism that so many of you have expressed — that will carry us far. If there's any support that the Secretariat can provide, of course we stand ready to do it."