“It is highly encouraging to see this message of support coming from a diverse range of members both developing and developed, including some of the key developing country coordinators.  I would like to assure these countries and indeed all WTO members that I have not given up on securing the Bali package and will be working with all delegations in Bali to get an agreement that secures a successful outcome for the meeting and a promising future for the multilateral trading system,” said the Director-General.

For information the message of support is below:

Press Statement

“The overwhelming majority of WTO Members gave a very clear message of support to the Director-General at the 26 November General Council meeting.  We must continue efforts to finalise the package by 6 December 2013.

We support any effort necessary to achieve a positive outcome at the Bali Ministerial on a package of trade facilitation, agriculture and development and Least Developed Country issues. We fully support further efforts by the Director-General, recognizing how close we are to success, and recognizing that Bali is a pivotal moment for the future of the negotiating arm of the multilateral trading system.”

 

This statement is jointly issued by:

Australia, Canada, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong China, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Korea, The Russian Federation, Switzerland, Uruguay; and the following groups of WTO members:

Brunei Darussalam on behalf of ASEAN
Jamaica on behalf of the ACP
Morocco on behalf of the African group
Solomon Islands on behalf of the LDCs
Egypt on behalf of the Arab Group