WTO : DG allegedly defies WTO rules, espouses controversial JSIs at MC12 (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization's 12th ministerial conference (MC12) got underway on 12 June on a rather grim note with the WTO Director-General, Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, having allegedly defied the rules laid out in the Marrakesh Agreement by raising questions on the "deadlocks" caused due to the consensus-based decision-making process.

WTO : Ministers voice divergent views at MC12 (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Trade ministers on 12 June voiced divergent views at the World Trade Organization as to what the WTO should address in the face of worsening challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the global food crisis, and the climate change crisis. Many countries also sought the restoration of the Appellate Body to ensure the continuation of the impartial and independent enforcement function of the WTO.

WTO : Ministers voice divergent positions on key issues in small-group meetings (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Trade ministers who participated in small-group meetings on 12 June voiced their divergent positions on WTO reform, agriculture, fisheries subsidies, and the WTO response to the pandemic among others, said people familiar with the meetings.

WTO : Ministers voice support for, and solidarity with Ukraine at MC12 (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Trade ministers from more than three dozen countries on 12 June issued a joint statement at the WTO's 12th ministerial conference (MC12) stating their "support for, and solidarity with the people of Ukraine", but Russia warned not to "politicize" the trade body, said people, who asked not to be quoted.

WTO : Gender issues must not be relegated to one track within WTO (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) needs a feminist trade policy that breaks away from its current neo-liberal agenda, and that such a policy must start with the acknowledgment that "women's issues" cannot be separate from any key issues related to trade, the Gender and Trade Coalition (GTC) has said.

WTO : S&DT takes a beating in the new draft fisheries text for MC12 (PRIV)
(Ranja Sengupta, Geneva)
A new draft "Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies" (WT/MIN(22)/W/20) was submitted on 10 June 2022 at the World Trade Organization (WTO). This will be considered by trade ministers during the 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO being held from 12 to 15 June in Geneva.