The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has urged members to transition from discussion to action in their negotiations. Speaking at a Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) meeting, she acknowledged that while progress had stalled on key issues, there was recognition of the need to restart negotiations following a heads of delegation retreat on July 8.
“Now is the time to walk the talk and move from reflection and brainstorming to action,” she declared. “To not only take, but to be prepared to give. To compromise, be flexible and open-minded. To reach out to others, to understand their concerns and find mutually agreeable ways forward.”
“There is engagement, but engagement is not necessarily negotiation,” she added. “If we are to remain resilient at the WTO and responsive in a changing world, then we must remain faithful to the organization's negotiating DNA.”
Before her address, reports were presented by chairs of various negotiations including trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, agriculture, development, and fisheries. These updates were delivered by Ambassador Alfredo Suescum (Panama), Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy (Türkiye), Ambassador Kadra Hassan (Djibouti), and Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson (Iceland).
Ambassador Acarsoy discussed ongoing efforts in agriculture negotiations. He mentioned member-led initiatives such as a Brazil-led process aiming for a decision at the General Council on July 22-23 and submissions by the African Group aimed at developing draft modalities in different pillars of agriculture negotiations.
On development, Ambassador Hassan highlighted collaboration with facilitator Jia Jie Loh of Singapore on implementing special and differential treatment provisions from MC13's Ministerial Declaration related to sanitary measures and technical barriers to trade. She emphasized ongoing consultations with members about advancing work in these areas.
Ambassador Gunnarsson provided an update on fisheries subsidies negotiations. He noted that he circulated a revised draft text on July 10 intended for consideration at the upcoming General Council meeting. Despite general support for this text among most members, some raised significant concerns that could hinder consensus.
More than 50 members participated in discussions following these reports. General Council Chair Petter Ølberg (Norway) expressed appreciation for members' contributions ahead of next week's General Council meeting.
In her concluding remarks, the Director-General made an “impassioned plea” for members to negotiate sincerely with a focus on common goals. She called for adopting a spirit of compromise to make progress on agriculture, fisheries subsidies, and other agenda items.