WTO DG Inaugural Speech: We can deliver results if members “accept we can do things differently” - Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Addressing the WTO General Council immediately after taking office on 1 March, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called on members to “do things differently” to achieve reforms necessary to keep the WTO relevant, starting with swift action to curb harmful fisheries subsidies, and to help scale up COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution. The new head of the WTO noted that high expectations for her tenure can only be met if members are willing to compromise and reach agreements. DG Okonjo-Iweala: WTO can deliver results if members “accept we can do things differently” DG Okonjo-Iweala suggested that prospects for a successful Twelfth Ministerial Conference would be enhanced if members target a manageable number of deliverables for this year, and set up longer work programmes to address issues that cannot realistically be resolved within that timeframe. Her full remarks are below: Mr Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies & Gentlemen, Good morning. I am delighted to be with ...