Davos 2015 - Press Conference with Minister Schneider Ammann and Director General Roberto Azevedo

TL;DR

Key points from the WTO ministerial gathering discussing trade negotiations and Doha Development Agenda progress.

Transcript

good afternoon everybody welcome to the members of the media here in the room and welcome to our global audience on the live stream and webcast thank you for joining us today I'm very honored and proud to present this distinguished panel today to my immediate left is Minister Johann Schneider Amman who is the Minister for Economic Affairs education... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤩 Urgency and transparency are key in WTO negotiations towards Doha Development round conclusions.
• 🌐 AG subsidies, European economy growth, and commodity prices influence global trade dynamics.
• ❓ Multilateral organizations like WTO strive to reduce tensions through dialogue and consultation.
• ™️ Trade liberalization efforts in regional agreements like TTIP and TPP can inspire WTO progress.
• ❓ Decision-making in the WTO involves consensus and plurilateral agreements within the existing framework.

Questions & Answers

Q: How are ministers approaching the work program towards Doha Development round conclusion?

Ministers aim to define a detailed work program by July, focusing on areas like agriculture, non-agricultural market access, and services for timely WTO objectives.

Q: What role do AG subsidies play in the Doha negotiations, and how ambitious do ministers seem?

AG subsidies are critical in discussions, but the level of ambition is yet to be determined based on addressing current political realities and economic circumstances.

Q: Will the ECB's decision positively impact world trade, considering the declining commodity prices?

ECB's measures bolstering the European economy could stimulate trade globally, offsetting effects of falling commodity prices and fostering increased demand.

Q: How is the WTO addressing the current political tensions globally, like the Russia-West situation?

The WTO serves as a platform for dialogue and consultation among members to ease tensions through dialogue, focusing on trade issues and approximating positions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ministers discussed WTO objectives, including Bali Conference decisions and a work program towards the Doha Development round.

• Emphasis on urgency, transparency, and inclusivity in negotiations, aiming for substantive outcomes.

• Ministerial conference in Nairobi to focus on concluding negotiations and bolstering global trade.