WTO Director-General Highlights Crucial Role of Trade in Addressing Global Challenges
Geneva, Switzerland – July 15, 2025 – World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has underscored the critical and increasingly vital role of the multilateral trading system in navigating today’s complex global landscape. Speaking on July 15, 2025, DG Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that “More than ever all eyes are on us,” a sentiment reflecting the heightened expectations placed upon the WTO to foster stability, predictability, and growth through open trade.
The Director-General’s remarks, delivered on the occasion of significant ongoing discussions within the WTO, signal a period of heightened focus on the organization’s ability to deliver tangible results for its member economies. In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainties, climate change imperatives, and the ongoing need for inclusive economic development, the framework provided by the WTO remains a cornerstone for international cooperation and economic resilience.
DG Okonjo-Iweala’s statement serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility that rests with the WTO and its members to uphold and strengthen the rules-based trading system. This system, built on principles of non-discrimination, transparency, and predictability, offers a crucial bulwark against protectionism and unilateral actions that could further destabilize the global economy.
The WTO’s mandate extends beyond simply facilitating trade flows. It is instrumental in ensuring that trade contributes to sustainable development, poverty reduction, and the well-being of citizens worldwide. As nations grapple with interconnected challenges, from supply chain disruptions to the urgent transition towards greener economies, the WTO’s role in setting common standards and fostering dialogue becomes indispensable.
The Director-General’s call for attention suggests that members are actively engaged in crucial negotiations and dialogues aimed at modernizing the WTO and ensuring its continued relevance. These efforts are vital for adapting the organization’s rules and processes to contemporary economic realities, including the rise of digital trade, the importance of services, and the need to integrate environmental and social considerations into trade policies.
As the international community looks to the WTO for solutions and a pathway towards a more stable and prosperous future, DG Okonjo-Iweala’s assertion highlights the collective duty of all member states to actively participate in and support the organization’s work. By reinforcing the principles of multilateralism and working collaboratively within the WTO framework, members can collectively address shared challenges and harness the power of trade to build a more inclusive and sustainable global economy for all.
DG Okonjo-Iweala: “More than ever all eyes are on us”
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