| Date |
Title |
| 08.07.05 |
Supachai: “These negotiations are in trouble”
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi called on ambassadors in an
informal meeting on 8 July 2005 to immediately change gear in the trade
negotiations, stressing that “progress is nowhere near sufficient in terms
of our critical path to Hong Kong”. He said that there is still a “slender
chance” of averting a crisis, “but every hour must be made to count”.
> Introductory Remarks
by the General Council Chairman |
| 14.06.05 |
Stability is as important as freer trade, Supachai
tells Asian business leaders
A good outcome in the current WTO negotiations will be vital both for
increasing trade and for modernizing global economic management,
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told business leaders at a
conference in Bangkok on 14 June 2005.
|
| 20.04.05 |
Supachai underscores WTO contribution to world
peace and development
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his introductory remarks at the
WTO Public Symposium on 20 April 2005, said that “the WTO has extended the
rule of law into the international trade realm and has contributed
significantly to keeping peaceful and stable trading relations between WTO
Members”. He added that “trade is not the answer to all the world's
problems, but it can make a powerful contribution to international efforts
for development”.
> Programme
|
| 13.04.05 |
Supachai: Doha success will enhance global food
security
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the High-Level
Round Table on Agricultural Trade Reform and Food Security on
13 April 2005 at FAO, Rome, stressed that “the path to food security is
through integration and interdependence, not protection and autarchy”. |
| 06.04.05 |
Supachai calls for substantial Doha progress before
summer break
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his remarks at the start of the
10th Geneva
Week for non-resident WTO Members and Observers on 4 April
2005, underlined the need “to translate the positive input of Ministers
and Senior officials into give-and-take in the detailed negotiations here
in Geneva”. He assured participants that the WTO will continue to be
responsive to their special needs for technical assistance. |
| 11.03.05 |
WTO's first 10 years “a
success” — Supachai
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his speech “The WTO After 10
Years: The Lessons Learned and The Challenges Ahead” to the Council on
Foreign Relations in New York on 10 March 2005, expressed confidence that
“the lessons learned during our first decade will help future leaders to
chart the course for greater equity, stability and prosperity”. He said
that one of the most important achievements has been “the enhanced
integration of developing countries into the WTO system”.
|
| 20.01.05 |
WTO talks can be ‘a catalyst for growth’, Supachai
tells African meeting
Work on the Doha agenda has to intensify, with continued top-level
political involvement, Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told a
meeting of African and Nordic ministers in Tanzania on 20 January 2005. In
a wide-ranging speech, he urged African countries to reap potential big
gains by taking a longer view in the agriculture negotiations, and he said
that the discussion on preference erosion has to reconcile conflicting
objectives among developing countries. |
| 9.12.04 |
Dr. Supachai pays tribute to textiles body at its
final meeting
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his remarks on 9 December 2004,
paid tribute to the Textiles Monitoring Body for its “very solid
professional track record” in the implementation of the WTO Agreement on
Textiles and Clothing. He said that termination of the ATC on 1 January
2005 “will mark an important milestone in the development of international
trade relations”. |
| 2.12.04 |
Dr. Supachai urges China to ensure further Doha
momentum
WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the WTO Forum
of the Sixth Shanghai International Industry Fair on 2 December 2004,
called on China, as a major trading nation, to help “ensure further
progressive momentum of the negotiations in 2005 that will pave the way
for the final success of the Round in the near future”. |
| 4.10.04 |
Dr. Supachai: “we are back on track and moving
forward”
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his address to the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 4 October
2004, said that the July Decision on the Doha negotiations has “shown the
scale of the potential gains and has provided a roadmap to their
realization”. He underlined the important role of parliamentarians in the
WTO. |
| 4.08.04 |
Supachai consults on possible emergency
meeting for textiles and clothing adjustment challenges
WTO Director-General Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi held informal consultations
on 3 August 2004 with a range of WTO Members on the request from Minister
J K Cuttaree of Mauritius for an emergency meeting of the WTO Council for
Trade in Goods (CTG) to examine the adjustment costs related to the quota
abolition due to come into effect on 1 January 2005 under the WTO’s
Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC). |
| 15.06.04 |
Dr. Supachai calls on UNCTAD XI to deliver
clear message in support of the Doha Round
WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech to UNCTAD XI
in São Paulo, Brazil on 14 June 2004, stressed that “if we want trade
to work as an engine for growth and development, it is indispensable
that we succeed in the Doha Round”. He added that the negotiations are
at “a crossroads, and common ground must be found quickly”.
|
| 11.06.04 |
Ten Years After Marrakesh: the WTO and Developing
Countries
Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech to a conference hosted by the
Moroccan authorities to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of
Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO said “we should be immensely
proud of the achievements of the last decade. The trading system has shown
its resilience in the face of financial turbulence and it has contained
and resolved over 300 trade disputes between its Members, providing for
greater stability and predictability in global commercial exchanges”. |
| 28.05.04 |
Africa stands to gain from successful trade
negotiations — Dr. Supachai
Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech during the opening of the
Conference of the African Union Ministers of Trade on 27 May 2004 in
Kigali, Rwanda, said that the meeting will be “pivotal” in
determining whether the trade negotiations “will take a substantial step
forward by the end of July”. He stressed that “no one questions” that
development concerns must be reflected in the July package.
|
| 25.05.04 |
Dr. Supachai opens WTO public symposium
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his opening statement on 25
May 2004 at the WTO public symposium “Multilateralism at a
Crossroads”, said that trade negotiators are facing a “historic window
of opportunity” and urged civil society to add their voice in WTO's
work to “further improve and reform the multilateral system”.
|
| 4.05.04 |
Dr. Supachai underlines importance of Doha progress for LDCs
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his address to the Third LDC Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Dakar, Senegal on 4 May 2004, stressed that “now is the time for all WTO members to show realism, flexibility and a determination to make progress” in the negotiations. He warned that “a loss of momentum will have a direct impact on the areas in which LDCs have a key interest”. |
|
27.04.04 |
Dr. Supachai lauds IMF's new policy
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a statement before the
International Monetary and Financial Committee in Washington on 24 April
2004, cited the IMF's Trade Integration Mechanism for developing countries
as “a welcome contribution to the Doha Round, in particular to attaining
ambitious market access results”.
|
|
25.03.04 |
Dr. Supachai opens WTO
African workshop on cotton
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his opening remarks to the WTO
African regional workshop on cotton in Cotonou, Benin, on 23 March 2004,
underlined the importance of establishing a constructive partnership
between the trade and development communities.
> Summary conclusions (Word
document, 5 pages, 56KB) |
|
15.03.04 |
Dr. Supachai says small countries too have a
responsibility to strengthen the trading system
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech during Mauritius'
National Day celebration in Port Louis on 11 March 2004, stressed that
“only multilateral negotiations can ensure that poor and vulnerable
countries are not left out in the cold”. He said Mauritius' economic
miracle has shown the world that a small developing country “can compete
and compete very effectively”.
|
|
26.02.04 |
Dr. Supachai says US must lead in Doha talks
WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech to the National
Press Club in Washington on 26 February 2004, warned that the
alternative to the Doha Round is “a fragmented world, with greater
conflict and uncertainty”. He stressed that US leadership is
“indispensable” to the world trading system and the success of the
negotiations.
|
|
20.01.04 |
Dr. Supachai says Saudi accession an “imminent
reality”
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech
at the Jeddah Economic Forum on 19 January 2004, said that there is a
“realistic chance” that Saudi Arabia will accede to the WTO before the end
of this year. Earlier, in an address in Dhaka,
Bangladesh to the International Chamber of Commerce, he urged the business
community to give active support to the Doha Development Agenda.
|
|
10.11.03 |
Supachai urges China to help rebuild confidence
in trade talks
Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the Beijing International
Forum on 10 November 2003, called on China, as one of the world's
leading economic nations, to help rebuild ambition and confidence in the
Doha Development Agenda. He was the first WTO Director-General to visit
China since the country joined the organization. |
|
6.11.03 |
Supachai says DDA failure would be lost
opportunity for developing countries
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a keynote address to the
Third City of London Biennial Meeting on 4 November 2003, said that
failure to advance the Doha Development Agenda would be a “lost
opportunity” for developing countries to become more fully integrated
into the global economy, and to benefit from the economic growth that
trade can generate. |
|
10.09.03 |
‘Show leadership at Cancún,’ Supachai tells
African Union
WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi urged African countries on
9 September 2003 to remain engaged in the Doha negotiations at the
highest level. Already Africa’s increased participation has started to
bear fruit, he said. |
|
9.09.03 |
Poor countries need trade to escape poverty, Supachai tells Cancún
forums
The main contribution the WTO can make to sustainable development is
the successful completion of the Doha Development Round,
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told meetings on “making
globalization work for people” and sustainable trade in the sidelines
of the Cancún Ministerial Conference.
> address at trade union event
> address at “sustainable trade day” opening |
|
15.07.03 |
Supachai: Doha talks can unlock Africa's huge
economic potential
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the African
Union Summit in Maputo, Mozambique on 11 July 2003, said that the
current trade negotiations will be a vital tool in efforts “to unlock
Africa's huge economic potential and raise the living standards of
citizens”.
|
|
16.05.03 |
Dr. Supachai underlines need to conclude
Doha talks successfully and on time
The Director-General, in a speech to the International Monetary
and Financial Committee in Washington released on 16 May 2003,
cited “compelling reasons” to conclude successfully the Doha
Development agenda by the deadline of 1 January 2005. They
include the uncertain global economic conditions, the spread of
bilateral and regional trade arrangements and the need to
guarantee more market access to developing countries. |
|
6.05.03 |
End of textile quotas to strengthen WTO,
says Dr. Supachai
WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the
Conference on the Future of Textiles and Clothing after 2005 on
5 May 2003 in Brussels, said “there is no question that the
multilateral trading system will be strengthened by the full
implementation of the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing” at
the end of 2004. |
|
1.05.03 |
Lead the way towards compromise, Supachai
urges OECD ministers
WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi has called on
ministers of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development to show leadership by making tough political
decisions and showing a willingness to compromise in the Doha
Development Agenda negotiations. Speaking in Paris,
30 April 2003, he said negotiators in Geneva lack instructions
from their ministers in agriculture and other key areas, that
are consistent with governments’ commitment to a successful
outcome. |
| 22.01.03 |
Dr.
Supachai pledges WTO help in Arab trade reform efforts
Director-General
Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a statement opening the Doha
Development Agenda Advanced Training Programme for Arab Senior
Government Officials on 19 January 2003 in Cairo,
underlined his determination to effectively implement
Secretariat measures to assist Arab countries and to improve
their participation in the work of the WTO and in the ongoing
trade negotiations.
|
| 8.01.03 |
Dr.
Supachai urges members to give a major push to the
negotiations
Director-General
Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech on 8 January 2003
at the Partnership Summit in Hyderabad, urged WTO members to
“now give a major push to the negotiations and ensure all
areas move forward together in a balanced way”. He said
“we need India's constructive engagement and leadership to
help guide the Doha Development Agenda towards a successful
conclusion that would benefit all members”.
|
| 27.11.02 |
Supachai:
Cancún success is vital not only for trade
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech on
26 November 2002 during a conference on
globalization at the University of Leuven, Belgium said that
“uncertainty in the world economy, combined with growing
international tension, has overshadowed the new Round and
weakened the cause of multilateral cooperation — yet this is
precisely why the WTO's success (in Cancún) is so vital”.
> The
Doha Development Agenda: Challenges Ahead
|
| 26.11.02 |
Supachai
cites importance of agriculture liberalization to developing
countries
Director-General
Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his keynote address to the World
Food and Farming Congress in London on 25 November 2002,
said that along with textiles and a few other sectors,
“trade liberalization in agricultre is probably the single
most important contribution the multilateral trading system
can make to help developing countries, including the poorest
among them, to trade their way out of poverty”.
|
| 4.11.02 |
Trade
policies cannot work on their own, Supachai tells development
seminar
Trade
policies must be linked to development and poverty reduction
plans, if they are to drive growth, Director-General Supachai
Panitchpakdi told the second seminar on “trade
mainstreaming” on 1 November 2002. These seminars
are part of a joint effort by six international organizations
and the least-developed countries to integtrate trade and
development efforts.
|
| 9.10.02 |
DG
Supachai: WTO on track to meeting Doha technical cooperation
commitments
Director-General
Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a statement to the Committee on
Trade and Development on 8 October 2002, said “we
are on track to responding credibly and effectively to the
technical cooperation and capacity building commitments in the
Doha Ministerial Declaration”.
|
| 23.09.02 |
Supachai
announces “four pillars” to help conclude the negotiations
Director-General
Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the General Assembly of
the Swiss Bankers Association on 20 September 2002
in Basel, announced “four pillars” aimed at strengthening
the WTO and helping bring the Doha Development Agenda to a
timely and successful conclusion.
|
| 11.09.02 |
DDA
offers unique opportunity for Arab countries to diversify
exports — DG Supachai
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the
First World Arab Competitiveness Meeting in Geneva on
9 September 2002, said “the current negotiations
offer a unique window of opportunity for Arab countries to
integrate more fully into the multilateral trading system--and
expand and diversify their exports”.
|
| 4.09.02 |
DG
Supachai underlines WTO's contribution to sustainable
development
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the
High-Level Special Roundtable of the World Summit on
Sustainable Development on 3 September 2002 in
Johannesburg, stressed that “WTO's contribution to
sustainable development goes beyond raising incomes and
helping to alleviate poverty,” citing ongoing negotiations
on agriculture and fishery subsidies as well as on WTO's
relationship with environmental agreements.
|
| |
| Speeches
given by Mike Moore 1999–2002 |
