WTO Ministerial Conference extended by a day to facilitate better outcomes

Published On: June 16, 2022 09:34 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

GENEVA (SWITZERLAND), June 16: The ongoing 12th Ministerial Conference (MC-12) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been extended by a day to facilitate better outcomes. The MC-12 attended by the trade ministers of 164 countries was earlier scheduled to conclude on June 15.

Following the consultations by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala with the MC12 Chair, Timur Suleimenov, the Vice Chairs and the Minister Facilitators, delegations were informed that MC12 will be extended until June 16, with the closing session scheduled to begin at 3 PM Geneva time.

At the meeting of the Heads of Delegation (HoDs) late on 14 June, DG Okonjo-Iweala called on the members to go the extra mile to find convergence on the various issues at stake at the ministerial gathering and to be mindful that time is running out to conclude meaningful agreements.

The 12th Ministerial Conference, which began on June 12, was initially scheduled to close on June 15 at 6 PM Geneva time.

Trade ministers from around the world are participating in dedicated thematic sessions related to the WTO's response to post-COVID-19 recovery, trade and food security after the 12th Ministerial Conference officially began on Sunday. The ministers participated in dedicated thematic sessions on the WTO’s response to COVID-19, including the IP response to the pandemic, and trade and food security. Members agreed that agreements are within reach and expressed their commitment to make one final effort to bridge the remaining gaps.

Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Dilendra Prasad Badu is taking part in the Ministerial Conference, leading the Nepali delegation. He is accompanied by Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) Ganesh Prasad Pandeya, Ambassador of Nepal to Switzerland Mani Bhattarai, who is also Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office, World Trade Organization and other International Organizations in Geneva, and other senior officials from the MoICS.