WTO Members Discuss Pathways for
Sustainable Agriculture in Global Trade
·
With
the world's population expected to exceed 10 billion by 2050, the demand for food
and resources is increasing exponentially. The intersection of trade and sustainable
agriculture has never been more essential.
WTO
members gathered on 5-6 May in Geneva for an in-person retreat, under the auspices
of the General Council, on sustainable agriculture in the multilateral trading system.
Building on contributions and support from members, the meeting provided a space
for open dialogue and deeper understanding of the link between sustainable agriculture
and trade.
In
her opening remarks, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
said that sustainable agriculture remains at the core of the WTO's work and of critical
importance to all members.
"Agriculture
is not merely another sector. It is the backbone of many economies, a huge employer
in many countries, the lifeblood of rural development and the foundation of food
security and nutrition. No society can be stable economically, financially or socially
if its people are unable to reliably access affordable and nutritious food,"
she said.
The
Chair of the General Council, Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel
of Saudi Arabia, underlined the importance of the retreat as the world stands at
a critical juncture in global development.
"With
the world's population expected to exceed 10 billion by 2050, the demand for food
and resources is increasing exponentially. The intersection of trade and sustainable
agriculture has never been more essential. It is key to achieving global food and
livelihood security, promoting rural development, fostering economic growth and
building environmental resilience," he said.
Experts
from international and regional organizations shared insights on the foundational
elements of sustainable agriculture, helping WTO members over the two-day retreat
to engage, understand key issues, and appreciate diverse local and regional contexts.
Takeaways
from the retreat and suggestions from the chair will be circulated to members in
the coming days.