Webinar—20 February 2013Geneva, Switzerland

Record of WTO under Pascal Lamy Review of business survey Election timeline for Director-General Overview of the nine candidates on

business engagement Panel discussion on leadership prospects

and implications

Doha Round impasse Growing membership of the WTO (158) Fighting protectionism Strong dispute settlement regime New research on value added and on non-

tariff measures

Prospects for Ninth Ministerial Conference in Bali, 3-6 December 2013◦ Trade facilitation◦ Aid for trade◦ Agriculture and special and differential treatment

Parallel initiatives on◦ Services ◦ Information technology◦ US-EU bilateral trade negotiations◦ Trans Pacific Partnership

Over 300 respondents◦ Mostly doing business in Europe and Eurasia but

also all other regions Positive views on

◦ 95% agree WTO does vital work for business◦ 97% agree trade generates growth and jobs◦ 72% look to the WTO to ensure compliance by

governments ◦ 62% still believe the Doha Round can deliver

benefits to business

Priorities for improving the global economy Conclude the Doha Round Adopt a trade facilitation package Go ahead on information technology and

services Reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers Reform dispute settlement system to make

it better Keep protectionism at bay

Options for working better with business: 52% would like more networking events 56% favor business participation in WTO

technical assistance and training 61% would like business representation in

WTO meetings +90% favor a business role for training and

capacity building of parliamentarians

Nine candidates nominated by end of December 2012

Interviews with General Council end of January 2013

Selection process to start 1 April To be completed by 31 May New Director-General starts 1 September

2013

Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen – Ghana

Anabel Gonzalez – Costa Rica

Maria Elka Pangestu – Indonesia

Tim Groser – New Zealand

Amina Mohamed - Kenya      

Ahmad Thougan Hindawi – Jordan

Herminio Blanco – Mexico

Taeho Bark – Republic of Korea

Roberto Carvalho de Azevedo - Brazil

WTO needs to be proactive ◦ Information flow, research and reporting◦ Dispute settlement ◦ Trade negotiations

Define what is meant by the business sector◦ Sectoral differences◦ Regional differences◦ Size differences

Mechanisms for outreach◦ Liaison office within the WTO Secretariat◦ Business advisory council◦ Global business forum

Engagement with all non-state actors◦ Policy forum with larger business role◦ Links with other development institutions◦ Partnership with the International Trade

Commission

Clear rules of engagement with◦ Open markets◦ Removing barriers to trade

Looking to 21st century issues◦ Different trading blocs◦ Investment and competition◦ Government procurement◦ Climate change and natural resources◦ No mention of food security?

Ricardo Melendez-Ortiz◦ Chief Executive Officer, International Centre for

Trade and Sustainable Development Mark Halle

◦ Director, Trade and Investment, and European Representative, International Institute for Sustainable Development

What difference will it make to the WTO to have a new Director-General?

What are the official and unofficial criteria that are likely to play a role in the selection process?

Do you have any preferences?  If so, why?  If not, why not?

What are the implications for WTO leadership of the trade-related initiatives within and outside of the Doha Round?

Making a difference with a new Director-General?

Likelihood of developing country origin Balancing and alignment of different

geographic blocs Coping with regional trade agreements Introducing new trade issues Other implications?

Criteria in the selection process Scope and rank of experience in trade

policy world Record of accomplishments Geographic rotation Alignments of sponsoring country Campaign presentations Actual policy positions?