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TWN
Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (Sep25/20) Geneva, 25 Sep (D. Ravi Kanth) — Several countries on 24 September expressed sharp concern over the alleged attempt by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat to devalue its “neutrality” role by increasingly embarking on activities without the prior consent of members, and aligning with initiatives proposed by some powerful members, according to people familiar with the development. During a discussion on reforming the WTO, several countries, including Paraguay and the United States, are understood to have raised sharp concerns over the Secretariat allegedly devaluing its “neutrality”, including by aligning with issues raised by certain members in what is meant to be a member-driven organization, said people familiar with the development. Privately, several countries expressed concern that the WTO Director-General, Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the facilitator overseeing the WTO reform discussions, Ambassador Petter Olberg of Norway, are tacitly setting the reform agenda, said people familiar with the development. A restricted document (Job/GC/456) issued by the facilitator argues that “many delegations supported a stronger technical role for the Secretariat, including providing fact-based analysis, trade monitoring, negotiation simulations, and technical briefings to support informed decision-making.” According to the document, the facilitator has seemingly elevated the DG’s role by suggesting that “the Director- General was also seen by many as having a legitimate role in facilitating dialogue during political stalemates – so long as this is done in a neutral and transparent manner.” “However,” the facilitator noted, “a few [members] raised concerns about perceived partiality, particularly in the Secretariat’s support for plurilateral initiatives while longstanding mandates remain unaddressed. Concerns also extended to how studies are framed and topics prioritized. Similar concerns were voiced about agenda management by Chairs – especially how issues were classified in the General Council. They called for institutional safeguards to ensure Secretariat’s neutrality, greater transparency in agenda-setting, and greater clarity on the roles of Chairs and facilitators – particularly in how they structure consultations, guide discussions, and report outcomes.” However, members familiar with the discussions pointed to paragraph 4 of Article VI of the Marrakesh Agreement, which established the WTO in 1995. It clearly states that: “The responsibilities of the Director-General and of the staff of the Secretariat shall be exclusively international in character. In the discharge of their duties, the Director-General and the staff of the Secretariat shall not seek or accept instructions from any government or any other authority external to the WTO. They shall refrain from any action which might adversely reflect on their position as international officials. The Members of the WTO shall respect the international character of the responsibilities of the Director-General and of the staff of the Secretariat and shall not seek to influence them in the discharge of their duties.” +
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