Speaking at the invitation of the ACP Group, the Director-General and ACP members exchanged views on the state of play in WTO members' ongoing discussions, ranging from fisheries subsidies and agriculture to WTO reform, trade and development, and the various Joint Initiatives being pursued by groups of members.

The Director-General emphasized that concrete deliverables in Nur-Sultan would help update and strengthen the trading system and ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of members. He urged the ACP to engage actively in the discussions.

The meeting was chaired by the Coordinator of the Group, Ambassador Cheryl Spencer of Jamaica.

The Director-General said:

“2020 will be a crucial year for the WTO. We will have windows of opportunity to strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system – including at our upcoming Ministerial Conference in Nur-Sultan. Whether we manage to seize these opportunities is in members' hands. Concrete deliverables in MC12 would bolster the credibility of the WTO. It would prove that the WTO can adapt to the fast-changing 21st century economy.

“The African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States will be important players in determining what we can achieve this year. I urge you to remain engaged and make your voices heard. Pragmatism, vision, determination and compromise will be necessary to deliver results and strengthen the trading system.”