Laos to benefit from trade solutions at WTO Ministerial Conference 

Laos will be able to trade more easily within the region and with partners around the world amid financial and global crises, thanks to decisions made at the World Trade Organisation’s 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr Khampheng Saysompheng (left) and other participants in the WTO 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

The conference took place from June 12-17. Initially scheduled to end on June 15, the gathering was extended by two days to allow more time for negotiations so that agreements could be reached.
WTO members secured multilaterally negotiated outcomes on a series of key trade initiatives.
The package adopted by members including an outcome document, and a package on the WTO response to emergencies.
These comprised a Ministerial Declaration on the Emergency Response to Food Insecurity, a Ministerial Decision on World Food Programme (WFP) Food Purchase Exemptions from Export Prohibitions or Restrictions, a Ministerial Declaration on the WTO Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics, a Ministerial Decision on the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, a Decision on the E-commerce Moratorium and Work Programme, and an Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
In addition, ministers adopted two decisions - on the Work Programme on Small Economies and on the TRIPS non-violation and situation complaints and a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Declaration for the 12th WTO as well as WTO reform. The conference was attended by ministers from across the world, including Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Khampheng Saysompheng and a delegation from Laos, who took part in the negotiations and discussions.
The conference was co-hosted by Kazakhstan and chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff of Kazakhstan’s President, Mr Timur Suleimenov.
Speaking at the conference, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said “These agreements will make a difference to the lives of people around the world.”
 “The outcomes demonstrate that the WTO is capable of responding to the emergencies of our time.”

“They show the world that WTO members can come together, across geopolitical fault lines, to address common global problems, and to reinforce and reinvigorate this institution. They give us cause to hope that strategic cooperation will be able to exist alongside growing strategic competition.”
The WTO 13th Ministerial Conference, expected to be held on December 31, 2023, will be hosted by Cameroon and the United Arab Emirates.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update June 23, 2022)