Speeches: Former Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi (2002-2005)

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

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