“I sense a new hope tonight”, said World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala after a lengthy virtual meeting with 104 Ministers and Heads of Delegation on Thursday 15 July. They were meeting to make progress on the issue of fisheries subsidies (see EUROPE 12763/25).
While significant divisions remain, members appear to be making every effort to reach an agreement before the 12th Ministerial Conference due to be held from 30 November to 3 December 2021.
“It is clear to all Ministers that the status quo is no longer an option”, said the Chair of the WTO Negotiating Group on Rules, Santiago Wills. Together with the Director-General, he welcomed the political impetus given by the Ministers and the willingness of all to work based on the text presented on 30 June (see EUROPE 12754/6).
As a reminder, disagreements remain on special and differential treatment for certain countries and how to deal with this aspect in the agreement. Members also disagreed on including non-specific fuel subsidies in the text.
However, Ms Okonjo-Iweala is confident about the outcome. “In twenty years of negotiations, we are the closest we have been to achieving a result. An outcome that will help build a more sustainable ‘blue’ economy”, she said. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)