The World Trade Organization (WTO) is facing calls for significant reform as it approaches its 30th anniversary. During a recent General Council meeting, Ambassador Ølberg, the outgoing Chair of the General Council, emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive review of the WTO's functions to better address contemporary global trade challenges.
“We are facing a new reality,” said Ambassador Ølberg. “We must all understand that some of our fundamental values and principles are being challenged. It's not business as usual anymore for any of us.” He stressed that members should engage in real dialogue rather than adhering to outdated positions.
Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel from Saudi Arabia, who succeeded Ølberg as Chair, acknowledged the profound changes in the global trading landscape due to economic uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, technological advancement, and sustainability concerns. He urged members to work together with renewed momentum to ensure the WTO remains integral to multilateral trade systems.
“The global trading landscape is undergoing profound changes,” said Ambassador Almoqbel. “These dynamics demand that we, as a membership, work together with renewed momentum and unity.”
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also highlighted the importance of reforming the WTO. She proposed launching serious reflections on what works within the organization and what does not. DG Okonjo-Iweala suggested forming an independent panel of experts to evaluate necessary reforms comprehensively.
“It seems to me an opportune time to launch some serious reflections on the system,” she told members. She proposed that this panel could potentially present its findings at MC14 in Cameroon in March 2026 if ready.
The upcoming Ministerial Conference is seen as a pivotal moment for implementing transformative changes within the WTO framework. The goal is to reinforce shared values and strengthen relevance amid an increasingly complex global trade environment.