WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala Urges Members to Engage, Use WTO as Platform
Geneva, February 18, 2025 – The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called on member states to actively engage with the organization and utilize it as a platform for addressing global trade challenges.
Speaking at a press conference held on Friday, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of members working together to strengthen the multilateral trading system. She stated that the WTO provides a unique forum for countries to engage in dialogue, resolve disputes, and negotiate agreements.
“The WTO is not just about setting trade rules,” she said. “It is about providing a platform where members can come together to discuss their concerns, resolve conflicts, and find solutions that benefit all.”
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged that the WTO has faced challenges in recent years. However, she expressed optimism that the organization can overcome these challenges and emerge stronger.
“We are committed to making the WTO more agile, more transparent, and more inclusive,” she said. “We need to ensure that the WTO remains relevant and effective in addressing the evolving needs of the global economy.”
The Director-General called on members to make full use of the organization’s dispute settlement mechanism, which she described as “the cornerstone of the multilateral trading system.” She also encouraged members to participate actively in ongoing negotiations, including those on fisheries subsidies, e-commerce, and agriculture.
“The WTO is a rules-based organization,” she said. “If members are not willing to follow the rules, the system will not function effectively. We need all members to commit to upholding the rules and ensuring that the WTO remains a credible and reliable institution.”
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that the WTO is not just an organization for developed countries. She called on developing and least-developed countries to participate more actively in the organization’s work and to use the WTO as a platform for promoting their trade interests.
“The WTO is here to serve all members, regardless of their size or level of development,” she said. “We need to ensure that the voices of all members are heard and that the benefits of the multilateral trading system are shared by all.”
The Director-General’s call for engagement came ahead of the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference, which is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from February 27 to March 3, 2025.
DG Okonjo-Iweala to members: Use the WTO as a platform to engage
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