WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Marrakesh Agreement with a video message. She highlighted the significance of the agreement, which was established by over 120 countries with the aim to transform global trade.
“Thirty years ago, over 120 countries united with a shared vision: to transform the world through trade,” Okonjo-Iweala stated. “They created a new global public good: one committed to using trade to raise people's living standards, create jobs, and promote sustainable development.”
Okonjo-Iweala emphasized how countries have utilized the open and predictable global economy fostered by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to drive growth and development. “Over the past three decades, more than 1.5 billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, embodying the enduring promise encapsulated in the Marrakesh Agreement.”
She also remarked on the continued relevance of this promise as a guiding principle for current and future challenges. “As we mark the 30th anniversary of the WTO, this promise still stands as a beacon. The WTO now counts 164 — soon to be 166 — members. The way we do business across borders has evolved. So have the challenges to sustainability and socioeconomic inclusion. But trade remains a vital tool to solve these challenges and build a brighter future for people around the world.”
In recognition of this milestone, the WTO has launched a dedicated web page that highlights its achievements over three decades underpinned by the spirit of Marrakesh.