WTO ministerial conference kicks off against backdrop of global instability

The member nations will discuss issues such as banning subsidies contributing to overfishing and digital taxation, against the backdrop of instability and the uneven recovery from the pandemic.

The outcome of the deliberations of the WTO’s topmost decision-making body will be closely watched.

Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned of the daunting task ahead.

“Let’s not pretend that any of this would be easy. If we thought the world looked tough in May 2022, when we were slowly emerging from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine had taken food and energy security. We are in an even tougher place today,” the Nigerian said.

“Looking around uncertainty and instability everywhere. Geopolitical tensions have worsened. Conflict has spread, as we see here in the Middle East and away from the headlines across parts of Africa and the Arab world. We must not forget the conflict in Sudan, which has displaced close to 8 million people internally and across borders, or the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

The member nations will discuss issues such as banning subsidies contributing to overfishing and digital taxation, against the backdrop of instability and the uneven recovery from the pandemic.

The outcome of the deliberations of the WTO’s topmost decision-making body will be closely watched.

Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned of the daunting task ahead.

“Let’s not pretend that any of this would be easy. If we thought the world looked tough in May 2022, when we were slowly emerging from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine had taken food and energy security. We are in an even tougher place today,” the Nigerian said.

“Looking around uncertainty and instability everywhere. Geopolitical tensions have worsened. Conflict has spread, as we see here in the Middle East and away from the headlines across parts of Africa and the Arab world. We must not forget the conflict in Sudan, which has displaced close to 8 million people internally and across borders, or the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”