“I am delighted that we shall be able to benefit from Mr.
Benjelloun-Touimi's considerable experience and insights”, said Mr.
Moore. “Nacer will bring to the WTO an extensive background in trade
issues and international diplomacy. He is well known and highly
respected in Geneva as a former Ambassador to the WTO and to the
United Nations. His long and distinguished career in the Moroccan
foreign service also included postings in Washington and New York.”
“I deeply
appreciate the generous cooperation of Mr. Rubens Ricupero, Secretary
General of UNCTAD, in agreeing to my request for the release of Mr.
Benjelloun-Touimi as a contribution to reinforcing
inter-organizational work in the implementation of the post Doha
Ministerial Conference process”, said Mr. Moore.
Mr.
Benjelloun-Touimi's functions will include coordination within the
Secretariat for promoting coherence. His appointment is part of a
wider strategy of follow-up to the 4th WTO Ministerial Conference in
Doha and is aimed at ensuring a coherent approach to WTO co-operative
efforts with other agencies and governments.
“Coherence
is about making sure technical assistance is delivered in the most
effective way to those who need it most”, said Mr. Moore. “It
involves all stakeholders. Those seeking assistance must be clear and
specific about their needs. Donors must better coordinate their
efforts both in capitals and amongst each other. The same is true of
international agencies. Duplication is costly and wasteful, not only
in financial terms but in precious time and credibility. Mr.
Benjelloun-Touimi has an important job ahead of him.”
“This
appointment continues the momentum from the Ministerial Conference. In
the 2 months since Doha, a new budget has been approved that closely
reflects the priorities of Ministers. We have reorganised the
Secretariat and re-deployed our resources so we are better placed to
deliver on the Doha Development Agenda. Our technical assistance
activities have been reviewed and strengthened and we now placing
greater emphasis on some regions that have not been given adequate
attention in the past. Members too are moving apace with their early
agreement on Mexico as the venue for the next Conference. They will
have further opportunity to advance matters next week when they
consider the structure for the forthcoming negotiations.”
“Ministers
have given us a 3-year deadline for completing the negotiations. It is
tight but can be achieved if the current momentum is sustained.”
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