The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced the appointment of chairpersons for its various bodies for the year 2025. These appointments cover both regular and negotiating bodies within the organization.
For the General Council, H.E. Mr. Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will serve as chairperson. The Dispute Settlement Body will be chaired by H.E. Ms. Clare Kelly from New Zealand, while H.E. Mr. Asset Irgaliyev from Kazakhstan will lead the Trade Policy Review Body.
H.E. Mr. Gustavo Nerio Lunazzi from Argentina has been appointed to chair the Council for Trade in Goods, and H.E. Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi from Nepal will oversee the Council for Trade in Services.
In matters related to intellectual property rights, Mme. Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durand from France will head the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
The Committee on Trade and Development is set to be chaired by H.E. Dr. Mzukisi Qobo from South Africa, while H.E. Dr. José R. Sánchez-Fung from the Dominican Republic takes charge of the Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions.
Germany's H.E. Mrs. Carmen Heidecke will chair the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration, with Switzerland's H.E. Mr. Erwin Bollinger leading the Committee on Trade and Environment.
Ecuador’s representative, H.E. Mr. José Valencia, has been named as chairperson of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements.
For working groups, Cambodia’s H.E Mr Suon Prasith is set to lead discussions on trade, debt and finance issues, while Cameroon’s H.E Mr Salomon Eheth will handle trade and technology transfer topics.
Finally, in negotiating bodies, Nigeria's H.E Dr Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid has been appointed as chairperson for a special session of the Council for Trade in Services.