World Trade Organization Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala cautioned WTO members to be realistic about what can be achieved at the 13th ministerial meeting planned for next February.
But at the same time, she expressed optimism that members can reach outcomes on a number of pending issues, including a permanent solution to the temporary moratorium on electronic commerce, fisheries subsidies and – most importantly – WTO reform.
A top priority is dispute settlement reform, so that the WTO can once again have a fully functioning dispute settlement system, she said.
The current two-stage dispute settlement system has been crippled for years over US opposition to the Appellate Body.
The credibility of the rules-based international trade order requires that the rules are enforceable, Ms. Okonjo-Iweala said. Discussion on reform have moved to a new phase, with members – including the United States – actively engaged in the talks. Members hopefully will produce specific proposals, followed by text-based negotiations.
Negotiations on agriculture have gone on for years and are extremely difficult, but the Director- General held out hope that members can reach consensus around an agreement focused on food security.
She also hopes to see a permanent solution on the e-commerce moratorium, stressing that the concerns of developing countries about revenue loss will have to be taken into account.
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