WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva

30 November to 2 December 2009

Report

WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya participated in the WTO Ministerial Conference that was held in Geneva from 30 November to 2 December 2009. The meeting reviewed recent WTO activities and renewed the commitment of WTO members to conclude the Doha Development Agenda as soon as possible. The Ministerial Conference encouraged further progress in the WTO trade facilitation negotiations.

Whilst in Geneva, Secretary General Mikuriya also spoke at two side events:

At the first side event organized by the Inter-American Development Bank on 1 December, Mr. Mikuriya spoke on "Convergence of Regional Trade Agreements" (click here to view his presentation). He discussed the challenge for Customs in applying rules of origin and the work of the WCO to help its Members understand the issue as this would be the basis for ensuring consistency in approach and moving towards convergence. It should be mentioned that many Ministers also expressed similar interest during the Ministerial Conference.

At the second side event organized by the World Bank on 2 December, Mr. Mikuriya spoke on "Trade Facilitation" (click here to view his presentation). He explained the WCO’s contribution to the WTO negotiations, WCO trade facilitation measures (time release study, single window developments, WCO Data Model), the Organization’s Customs capacity building activities, and the Customs in the 21st Century strategic policy. This session was of particular interest to regional economic groups in Africa who saw the WCO’s measures as a way to reduce poverty.