GENEVA – WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Thursday urged World Trade Organization members to press forward on trade and development initiatives, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as she addressed the 7th South-South Dialogue on LDCs and Development. Speaking to delegates in Geneva, Okonjo-Iweala celebrated the WTO’s recent achievements during its 30th anniversary year, particularly the outcomes of the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) held in Abu Dhabi.
“Challenges are mounting, though trade has been resilient. There are also opportunities to integrate LDCs into global trade, and we should not let these opportunities pass us by,” Okonjo-Iweala said. “Let’s work together to ensure results.”
She noted that 86 members have ratified the WTO’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, calling on others to finalize the ratification process to uphold global standards. The Director-General also cited progress in agriculture negotiations as key to fostering LDCs’ trade integration.
The event drew about 70 delegates from LDCs and development partners, who explored strategies to enhance trade discussions within the WTO and address the unique challenges LDCs face in global supply chains, digital trade, and climate resilience.
General Council Chair Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway expressed optimism, saying, “Today’s South-South Dialogue is particularly timely in paving the way towards a successful development retreat next year.” He also emphasized the role of Aid for Trade programs and technical assistance as critical tools in addressing LDC challenges.
Ambassador Kadra Ahmed Hassan of Djibouti, Coordinator of the LDC Group, highlighted the importance of integrating LDCs into the global supply chain. “Our dialogue brings members together to explore what more can be done for greater integration of LDCs into global trade,” Hassan said, advocating for enhanced support to enable LDCs to digitize trade transactions and adapt to climate-related trade measures.
Ambassador Chenggang Li of China reiterated China’s commitment to WTO’s development goals. “We are encouraged by the development outcomes from MC13 and committed to working with all members to deliver more pragmatic development outcomes for MC14,” Li said.
The dialogue underscored the WTO’s continued efforts to facilitate trade growth among LDCs, with Okonjo-Iweala urging members to leverage current opportunities and bolster the multilateral trading system.
