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WT/GC/M/178  
 
10 July 2019  
(19-4568) Page: 1/5 
General Council  
10 May 2019    
 
MINUTES OF MEETING  
HELD IN THE CENTRE W ILLIAM RAPPARD ON 10 MAY 2019  
Chairperson: H.E. Ms . Sunanta Kangvalkulkij  (Thailand ) 
1  THE VISIT TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGA NIZATION  OF MR. ANTÓNIO GUTE RRES, 
SECRETARY -GENERAL OF  THE UNITED NATIONS   
1.1.  The Chair said that it  was a privilege and an honour to welcome the Secretary -General of the 
United Nations, Mr Antonio Guterres, to the WTO and to th e Special Session of the General Council.  
1.2.  The Secretary -General's  visit was a truly momentous occasion for th e organization. His 
presence t hat day alongside the WTO Director -General sen t an important signal to the world about 
their firm commitment to multilateral cooperation, in support of their shared objectives of economic 
growth, stability, poverty reduction, and sustainable dev elopment. Th ose objectives c ould not be 
advanced in isolation as they were interlinked pieces of a global commitment to peace, security and 
international cooperation that their organizations ha d a responsibility to uphold. By fostering fairness 
and predict ability in economic relations, the multilateral trading system contribute d to peace and 
stability, and was an important tool in the world's fight against inequality and poverty – which were 
in turn fundamental purposes and principles of the United Nations.   
1.3.  Sustainable development was a core objective of the WTO and Agenda 2030 recogni sed the 
critical contribution that trade ma de to th at common goal. Many of the issues that Members were 
debating were critical dimensions to many of the goals found within tha t Agenda.  His visit t hat day  
provide d a boost to the work of the WTO.  
1.4.  The Director -General  echoed what the Chair had said that it was a great pleasure to welcome 
Secretary -General Guterres  to the WTO.  They were  honoured by his presence and b y his support for 
WTO work.  
1.5.  When he looked at the sweep of history, he often s aw it as a story of cooperation.  The defining 
moments and turning points tend ed to come when people – individuals, villages, tribes and nations 
– chose to fight against each other, or  work with each other.  
1.6.  In th at sense, the post -war multilateral era represent ed the high point of cooperation, 
constructive competition and shared endeavour. The brightest hopes of humanity had arisen  from 
their darkest days.  
1.7.  But each generation s aw transformative changes of some kind and ha d to answer th e question 
anew  of how they would want to interact with their neighbours and the wider global community . And 
they were currently  facing transformative change that was occurring at an unprecedented pace. Ne w 
technologies, new perspectives and new political realities were bringing th at question to the fore 
once again.  
1.8.  He believe d that multilateral cooperation, through the United Nations, the World Trade 
Organization and the family of multilateral institutions , had been a powerful force for good, WT/GC/M/178  
 
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  supporting economic growth, development, stability and peace. And it remain ed a powerful force for 
good.  
1.9.  The world face d many challenges – new and old: economic tensions, poverty, climate change, 
conflict, migration  and antimicrobial resistance, among many others . In his view, meeting each of 
those challenges demand ed more cooperation, not less. Delivering on the Sustainable Development 
Goals require d more cooperation, not less.  
1.10.   Yet, at th at crucial moment, the multi lateral system also face d huge challenges. The question 
was being asked about the effectiveness of global cooperation in its current form. This was  reflected 
in the WTO.  The tensions between major economies were playing out in th e organization. The 
organiz ation was  working hard to help deal with Members' concerns, resolve disputes and urgently 
reduce tensions.  
1.11.   The situation ha d sparked a debate on how the trading system c ould work better to facilitate 
greater cooperation.  Ultimately a resolution to the tens ions that they we re currently seeing would  
only come about through political will, but some s aw reforming the WTO as an essential step in that 
journey.  
1.12.   It was certainly clear that there was an opportunity  to renew and strengthen trade 
multilateralism for s ome years to come. And he thought  in the interest of all Members  that this 
opportunity  should  be seized. 
1.13.   The fact was that having shared rules and commitments on global trade was vital for all.  They 
provide d stability and predictability. They prevent ed a race to the bottom where everybody end ed 
up worse off. And they deliver ed tremendous economic benefits.  
1.14.   Shared rules were not an infringement on sovereignty . They were expressions of it – because 
they were commitments that governments negotiate d with each other and enter ed into freely, on 
the basis of shared interests. And they enter ed into th ose undertakings because they were not a 
zero-sum game.  It was by following th ose rules that governments deliver ed on their shared interests.  
1.15.   Multilateral r ules were not valuable for their own sake . They were valuable because they 
helped them to pursue the interests of their economies and regions more effectively through 
cooperation with each other. They were agreed upon and accepted only if they were viewed as a 
worthwhile compromise from which all benefit ed. The credibility of rules depend ed on their 
enforceability. It depend ed on their transparency and inclusiveness. And it depend ed on their ability 
to evolve with the times.  
1.16.   Another challenge was being face d, which should  be met head on. Rules could not be 
fossili sed. They should  be responsive to the changes that were transforming the world and 
demanding their attention.  They should  find ways to advance, to be flexible and innovative, to deliver 
outcomes tha t were ambitious while accommodating sensitivities and not imposing anything on 
anyone.  
1.17.   That was easier said than done. But for the sake of the system and everything it represent ed, 
inaction was not an option. Multilateralism should not be allowed to become synonymous with 
paralysis.  
1.18.   With all of th at in mind, the presence of Secretary -General Guterres could not be more timely.  
The Secretary -General ha d an unrivalled position from which to assess th ose challenges with a 
broader perspective.  The issu es that they we re wrestling with in their day-to-day work at the WTO 
– trade tensions, the effects of rapid economic change, the desire for reform and renewal – were a 
manifestation of a much bigger picture. Global economic and political forces were intera cting in a 
manner that they had not often seen before, and which was not always predictable.  
1.19.   He stressed that he  had known Secretary -General Guterres for many years and had followed 
his trajectory closely. It was very rare that there was  such an extraordin ary combination of political 
acumen, analytical capacity, charisma and executive authority in one person. Th ose were the 
attributes of a true leader.  WT/GC/M/178  
 
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  1.20.   He stressed that it was a  privilege to have the Secretary -General  with the WTO that day to 
share his views, insight and advice.  It felt to him like Members  could  again be reaching one of 
history's turning points. They were all searching for the right path forward. And in that effort, they 
could not hope for a better guide.  
1.21.   Mr Antonio Guterres, Secretary -General of the United Nations , thanked the WTO for inviting 
him to address the organization. Since the end of the Second World War, nations ha d relied on a 
system of multilateral institutions and agreements to promote peace and equitable social a nd 
economic progress . The World Trade Organization, along with its predecessor, the General 
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, was an indispensable component.  
1.22.   Trade was at the heart of international relations, and the WTO was at the heart of trade.  But 
the sp irit of multilateralism was currently facing growing pressure.  
1.23.   He had just come from a two -day meeting with the full senior leadership of the United Nations.  
Their discussions touched on many urgent matters, from the proliferation of conflict to the challe nges 
of new technologies and  the overriding threat of climate change to their economies and their 
common security.  In all th ose areas, multilateralism was key.  
1.24.   Above all, they had focused on the 2030 Agenda and how they could achieve the Sustainable 
Develo pment Goals and a fair globalization.  It had been  clear to all of them that their work 
intersect ed in crucial ways with the WTO's . He would therefore  focus his remarks on the importance 
of revitali sing multilateral trade cooperation for sustainable develop ment and global prosperity.  
1.25.   Recent decades ha d witnessed transformational shifts in the world economy. Globalization 
had made countries, businesses and people more interdependent than ever before. Th at had created 
vast opportunities for growth and development.  Many developing countries ha d been able to take 
advantage of integration into the world economy to achieve rapid economic growth and narrow the 
gap between them and the more advanced economies .  
1.26.   Trade  had been an integral part of th ose development success stories. In 1995, the share of 
developing countries in global trade had been  less than 30 per cent.  In 2017 , it had risen to 45 per 
cent. With trade integration, income levels ha d risen in all develop ing regions and th at had helped 
lift a billion people from extreme poverty.  The WTO  should be proud of the role it had  played.  
1.27.   The multilateral trading system, enshrined in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and 
the World Trade Organization, ha d provided an institutional foundation for th at evolution. Th at was 
why the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recogni sed the critical role of trade, and call ed 
on the international community to revitali se the global partnership on trade and commit to "a 
universal, rules -based, open, non -discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the 
WTO". 
1.28.   However, significant obstacles ha d emerged in the efforts to harness the positive force of 
globalization for sustainable development. Globalization a lone and technological progress ha d not 
been sufficient to close income gaps within and among all countries, despite the increased 
participation of developing nations in world trade.  
1.29.   Not all countries ha d been able to take full advantage of the opportunit ies afforded by 
globali sed trade, new technologies and economic integration.  As a result, many continue d to lag 
behind. The least -developed countries were off track to meet the SDG target of doubling their share 
of world trade by 2020.  
1.30.   Furthermore,  growing inequality was seen in many societies. More than 700 million people, 
or 10 per cent of world population, still live d in extreme poverty, including many in middle -income 
countries that ha d managed to benefit from global trade.  Those growing inequali ties ha d underscored 
the fact that globalization create d both winners and losers.  
1.31.   Anti-globalization sentiments among those who fel t left behind were spreading rapidly.  They 
undermine d trust between peoples and their political establishments and were erod ing social support 
for more open cooperative approaches in many countries, rich and poor alike.  WT/GC/M/178  
 
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  1.32.   In the face of growing discontent over globalization, trade tensions ha d escalated over the 
past year to threaten growth in international trade and the foundat ion of the rules -based multilateral 
trading system. Th ose trade tensions were a major set -back for the revitalization of the global 
partnership for sustainable development.  
1.33.   It was worth highlighting that when trade tensions r ose, there were no winners, on ly losers, 
especially among developing countries. A move away from multilateral agreements was likely to be 
less-favourable for small developing countries which lose the common protections of the rules -based 
system. In bilateral negotiations, the dominant trading partner tend ed to gain the most.  It was 
therefore essential that tensions continue d to be resolved through multilateral dialogue and 
cooperation.  
1.34.   They needed to work to restore the spirit of international cooperation and buttress th at unique 
institution – the WTO – that ha d safeguarded international trading relationships over the past 70 
years.  
1.35.   A rules -based, non -discriminatory and equitable trading system was essential to preserving 
the interests of the poorest and most vulnerable economies , but it was also clearly in the interests 
of all trading partners, weak and strong alike.  
1.36.   He welcome d ongoing efforts by WTO Members to strengthen and update various aspects of 
the system to better address challenges posed by new economic realities, new techno logies, 
especially digitalization, and better deliver on trade negotiations, greater transparency and effective 
dispute resolution. The world was changing very quickly and they all should  accompany th ose 
changes or else become irrelevant.  
1.37.   He wished to  stress , however , that the WTO reform efforts should be guided by the 
imperatives of the SDGs  – in particular the global partnership for sustainable development. In th at 
context , it was encouraging to note the various initiatives already under way at the W TO to address 
different areas of particular relevance to the SDGs.  
1.38.   For example, WTO discussions targeting the elimination of harmful fishe ries subsidies by 2020 
were consistent with SDG Goal 14 on protecting the oceans.  Health targets ha d been assisted by  the 
amendment to the TRIPS Agreement which help ed developing countries to access generic medicines 
at more affordable prices. And improved transparency on agricultural subsidies w ould enhance the 
efforts to achieve food security in line with SDG Goal 2, a s well as to follow more sustainable 
agricultural practices, with benefits for the climate, as called for in SDG 13.   
1.39.   In conclusion, the contribution of international trade to economic growth and sustainable 
development was undeniable.  But globalization h ad also fuelled fears and anxieties, and had 
seriously weakened popular support for trade multilateralism.  If WTO reform was to effectively 
respond to th at challenge, it should  be meaningful, fair, legitimate and sustainable. The different 
perspectives and  needs of all countries need ed to be carefully addressed.  
1.40.   Coherently managing the interdependence of countries in delivering sustainable development 
for all was both a challenge and an opportunity. He called on everyone to work together to honour 
the comm itment to achieve a universal, rules -based, open, non -discriminatory and equitable 
international trading system.   
1.41.   The Chair, on behalf of the General Council, expressed her  deepest appreciation to Secretary -
General Guterres for his address to th at Special Sessio n. His  visit ha d come at a critical juncture, 
taking place at a time of growing uncertainty and anxiety about the role of multilateralism, and of 
the multilateral trading system that the WTO embodie d. 
1.42.   That added responsibility to Members' work. It was during times of uncertainty that they 
needed to act with even more conviction to ensure that multilateralism was upheld and 
strengthened. They needed to ensure that the system respond ed better to the evolving needs of the 
international community .  
1.43.   Multilateralism was a public good – and though it might  not always be easily accomplished, it 
was essential that they protect ed it for the peace and prosperity of all,  at present  and in the future. WT/GC/M/178  
 
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  To do so, it was important to build on the SDG principl e of leaving no -one behind. They needed to 
refresh their thinking, ensure that they reach ed out to those that fel t marginali sed, and work 
together to build a multilateral trading system that act ed as a force for inclusion. Th at opportunity 
could not be los t. 
1.44.   On behalf of all WTO Members and other participants in th e special General Council meeting, 
she once again extend ed their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Secretary -General Guterres for 
his address, his unwavering support to multilateralism and for his timely visit to the WTO.  
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