99-3638 MOREPRESS RELEASE
PRESS/135
2 September 1999
 MOORE SPELLS OUT PRIORITIES FOR
SEATTLE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
New World Trade Organization Director-General Mike Moore underscored his priorities for
the upcoming Seattle Ministerial Conference during his first media briefing in Geneva since assuming
his post on 1 September.
Mr. Moore, the first non-European to head the WTO, stressed the importance of achieving a
balanced outcome in Seattle which addresses the needs of all WTO member governments.
"Ordinary people greeted the launch of the Uruguay Round with apathy, the possibility of
launching a new round in Seattle will be met with far greater emotions, some positive, some not sopositive," he said.
"This time we will not be able to complain about apathy.  In the absence of global conflict
between 'isms' some people have chosen to focus their fury on globalism. Thus the WTO has become
a target for abuse.  This will necessitate new skills at governmental and at the international level tocommunicate and engage those citizens especially in the wealthy nations who will protest and march
and call for barriers to be built to keep out products from poor countries which desperately need the
opportunity to work and produce incomes for their families.  Even in developed countries large
numbers of people have problems with international trade.  Yet tens of millions of jobs in OECD
countries are directly related to exports and overseas investment.
"A third of new US jobs are export related.  As the global economy evolves, a major duty for
the WTO's Director-General is to make the case for keeping the markets of the rich nations open to
products from poorer countries.  Imagine the economic - then social and political - implications if the
markets of the North were closed during the recent Asian crisis?
"It’s a moral issue as well.  A world now exists polarised by poverty and opportunity as it was
once polarised by the cold war.  I will judge my term in office by how much we could improve the
conditions and opportunities of the most vulnerable economies.PRESS/135
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END"Seattle is the priority, but the Seattle Ministerial will only be judged a success if there is a
balanced outcome.  We need to assist all member governments to engage in the process.  Thus we
need to increase the levels and focus of technical assistance from the WTO and other sources to make
this happen.
"The WTO is not the GATT and the Seattle Ministerial Meeting will not be like the Punta del
Este launch.  This is the cynical 90s and not the optimistic 80s.  During the long months of the
selection process, many ambassadors told me in no uncertain terms what is expected of a Director-
General and the rules-based institution he manages on behalf of its member governments.
"My duties and priorities are clear:
- To facilitate and assist countries to get the most balanced outcome from the
negotiations, an outcome which truly benefits the more vulnerable economies.
- To advocate the advantages both for the great nations and the more modest nations of
a more open trading system and how that can increase living standards and build a
more prosperous, safer world.
- To strengthen the WTO and its system and rules, to build on and maintain its
reputation for integrity and fairness, and to re-shape the organization to reflect the
new reality of its Membership and their needs.
"All eyes are directed now at the Seattle Ministerial - hopes are high.  Our goal is very clear,
it's better living standards for all our people. Beca use it is through higher living standards that we
achieve better health care, superior education systems, and a safer, better, environment. It's time now
for me and colleagues in Geneva and capitals to roll up our sleeves and get to work."