WTO General Council Launches Next Phase of Reform Process

At a heads of delegation meeting on 26 June, the General Council Chair Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand outlined the next steps for moving to the substantive phase of WTO reform, including indicative checkpoints to monitor progress. Reporting on her consultations with members, the Chair noted that many members underlined the urgency and importance of the work on WTO reform. She said that facilitators have been identified for the main areas of reform work, based on members' nominations.

· WTO General Council Chair Clare Kelly outlined the roadmap for the substantive phase of WTO reform following consultations with members.

· Members agreed to begin parallel work on four priority areas: foundational issues, decision-making, development, and level playing field issues.

· Overall reform will be coordinated by the General Council, while dispute settlement reform will continue under the Dispute Settlement Body.

· Kick-off meetings on development and level playing field issues begin on 30 June 2026.

· Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed members' commitment to strengthening the WTO through practical institutional reforms.

· Progress reviews are planned at the December 2026 and February 2027 General Council meetings, followed by a mid-term ministerial review in 2027.

· Five facilitators were appointed to lead discussions on the reform pillars, representing Malaysia, Japan, Botswana, Peru, and Kazakhstan.

· Facilitators will conduct consultations based on members' written submissions and oral inputs to advance the reform agenda.

[ABS News Service/30.06.2026]

Ambassador Kelly confirmed that members are ready to undertake substantive work on the four areas explored by ministers at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 2026. These areas comprise foundational issues, decision-making, development, and level playing field issues. She noted that work in all four areas would be conducted in parallel and that additional areas could be identified as the process evolves.

Ambassador Kelly noted that the overall reform process would be overseen and coordinated under the authority of the General Council, with the aim of ensuring progress and coherence across all areas . Additionally, reform of the dispute settlement system would be undertaken under the auspices of the Dispute Settlement Body.

The General Council Chair also shared an indicative calendar of meetings aimed at allowing members to participate in discussions effectively, starting with kick-off meetings on the topics of development and level playing field issues on 30 June.

Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala commended members for finding a way to continue advancing WTO reform. She said: "This collective effort sends a clear and powerful signal that members remain committed to strengthening this Organization for the benefit of people around the world and are ready to roll up their sleeves and build on the work already undertaken."

In response to members' suggestions, a number of indicative checkpoints have been established to take stock of progress, maintain momentum and provide strategic guidance. These include the General Council meeting in December 2026 and in February 2027- marking the transition to a new Chair - and a mid-term ministerial review in 2027 without prejudice to any ministerial-level initiatives taken by members.

The Chair also expressed her appreciation for Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway for his work as facilitator on WTO reform in the period leading up to MC14, noting that his experience and insights will be valuable as members move to the next phase of work.

Based on members' nominations, and considering the need to ensure a balanced representation of perspectives - including across regions, levels of development and size of economy - the Chair informed members that the following WTO permanent representatives have agreed to serve as facilitators in their personal capacity and on an equal footing:

· H.E. Ms Sumathi Balakrishnan (Malaysia) for foundational issues

· H.E. Mr Katsuro Nagai (Japan) for decision-making issues

· H.E. Ms Nthisana Motsete-Phillips (Botswana) for development issues

· H.E. Mr Elmer Jose German Gonzalo Schialer Salcedo (Peru) for level playing field issues

· H.E. Mr Kairat Torebayev (Kazakhstan) for any new issues arising.

The facilitators will conduct their work based on members' written submissions and oral contributions, the Chair said.

The Director-General added: "I am proud that the WTO is among the organizations leading by example in responding concretely to calls for institutional reform. At a time when many international organizations are being challenged to demonstrate relevance and effectiveness, WTO members are taking practical steps to ensure that this institution remains fit for purpose.