On the occasion of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala He made an official visit to the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) in Uruguay, which was aimed at reflecting on the achievements of the WTO and the extraordinary challenges it faces.
In this framework, the 13 ALADI member countries participated in a special ceremony of the Committee of Representatives, which was attended by Beatriz Argimón, acting President of Uruguay, among other authorities.
The value of multilateralism as an instrument for global governance was highlighted by the Secretary General of ALADI, Sergio Abreu, who chaired the GATT Negotiations Committee at the Uruguay Round in Marrakech in 1994, which gave rise to the World Trade Organization.
In this regard, Dr. Abreu stressed the “unwavering commitment» of ALADI with the WTO to address and find solutions to the challenges of international trade and sustainable development. In this spirit of collaboration, ALADI Members have agreed to streamline border procedures through the Trade Facilitation Agreement.
It is true that Latin America is the “most unequal region on the planet.” Abreu pointed out that social integration instruments and policies are needed, and referred to the “synergy in areas of work,” particularly: micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, the economic empowerment of women and the importance of digital tools.
The WTO is more important than ever in contributing to this improvement. There is no doubt that the rules-based multilateral trading system is a vital element that deserves to be preserved and strengthened.
At this commemorative meeting, the Director-General of the WTO reflected on this: “The future of trade is digital, it is ecological and it must be inclusive.” And she maintained that Latin America “has opportunities to do really well.” In fact, she pointed to the growth of services and the development of green hydrogen.
The president outlined the benefits achieved and how much remains to be done at the WTO. “The first part of globalization lifted more than 1.500 billion human beings out of poverty, but left many people below the poverty line in poor regions that were not integrated into the global system.”
"We are now faced with protectionism and unilateral actions by large countries, some of which have already benefited from this system, and now say that globalisation no longer works," he added.
The WTO Director General called on ALADI countries to “bring about a new type of globalization that we call re-globalization.” It is necessary to decentralize supply chains and value chains to countries that have not benefited. She gave vaccines, critical minerals and semiconductors as examples. “Latin America can benefit from these opportunities,” she concluded.
In addition, the following spoke: Ambassador of Argentina -Alan Claudio Beraud- and that of Brazil -Antonio Simões-, who called for “advancing negotiations on agriculture.” He also participated inl President of the Committee of Representatives, Ambassador Rodrigo Hume Figueroa.
Finally, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was specially invited to unveil a plaque commemorating the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Marrakech Agreement which - as noted - established the WTO.
The WTO currently has 164 members, which will soon increase to 166.
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