On Thursday 25 October, the representatives of thirteen jurisdictions – Canada, Australia, Brazil, Chile, the European Union, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland, as well as the director general of the WTO, Roberto Azevêdo, looked into the reform modalities of the organisation tasked with regulating world trade.
Jim Carr, Canada's minister for the diversification of international trade did not invite representatives from China or the USA to this meeting.
"The Ottawa Ministerial on WTO Reform is a gathering of like-minded trade ministers committed to finding creative and tangible ideas about the challenges that the WTO faces and to demonstrating that reform is not only possible but necessary and achievable", Carr said.
The ministers' agenda was designed around three reflection sessions:- improving efficiency and effectiveness of WTO monitoring and transparency functions; - safeguarding dispute settlement; - and creating 21st century trade rules.
The WTO is under pressure to reform if it is not to be threatened with marginalisation.
The European Commission tabled its own vision of the WTO's reform on 18 September (see EUROPE 12098). It is working with its Japanese and American partners (see EUROPE 12104) with whom it is preparing two texts, on transparency and notification, as well as on reform of the Appellate Body. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)