https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Azevêdo takes over as WTO director-general

New World Trade Organisation director-general Roberto Azevêdo and former director-general Pascal Lamy

New World Trade Organisation director-general Roberto Azevêdo and former director-general Pascal Lamy

2nd September 2013

By: Leandi Kolver

Creamer Media Deputy Editor

  

Font size: - +

Brazilian Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo on Sunday started his four-year term as director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), becoming the sixth person to hold this position.

He succeeded former French WTO director-general Pascal Lamy who held the position for eight years.

“The WTO and the multilateral trading system are at an important crossroads,” Azevêdo said in his welcome message, adding that the decisions that the WTO’s 159 members make in the coming months would determine the path the organisation took as it set out to strengthen and support the multilateral trading system.

He added that the ninth Ministerial Conference (MC9), to be held in Bali from December 3 to 6, was a key priority.

“A successful meeting there will provide a much needed shot in the arm for the global economy and the WTO. I believe that a deal can be struck despite the short time we have between now and Bali. I shall do everything I can to see that agreement is reached. But there is no such thing as a sure thing and a great deal of work and commitment are required in the coming weeks if we are to succeed,” he said.

Meanwhile, WTO general council chair, Ambassador Shahid Bashir announced that the WTO general council would hold a special meeting on September 9 to welcome the new director-general.

He added that, at the end of this meeting, he intended to announce, in cooperation with Azevêdo, the intensification of the WTO’s work in preparation for Bali, starting with a focus on the shape of MC9, including its outcome document.

Azevêdo was appointed as director-general by the WTO general council on May 14 and would make his first international appearance at the G20 Leaders’ Summit taking place in Saint Petersburg from September 5 to 7.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Showroom

VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd
VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd

For over 60 years, VEGA has provided industry-leading products for the measurement of level, density, weight and pressure. As the inventor of the...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.066 0.113s - 137pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now