Members Address Development Dimension of WTO Reform Agenda

WTO members met on 2-3 February for focused discussions on the development dimension of the WTO’s reform agenda. The informal General Council meeting on WTO reform offered members an opportunity to kickstart an exchange on cross-cutting aspects of the development dimension with a view to finding mutually acceptable ways forward.

WTO members agreed at the 12th Ministerial Conference last June to work towards reform of the WTO with the aim of improving all its functions. They agreed the work would address the interests of all members, including development issues.

The General Council and its subsidiary bodies will conduct the work, review progress, and consider decisions, as appropriate, to be submitted to the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) due to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in February 2024.

In his concluding remarks, the General Council chair, Ambassador Didier Chambovey of Switzerland, welcomed the candid exchanges among members on the way forward.