In the framework of the 30th anniversary of its creation, the World Trade Organization (WTO) launched an urgent call on Thursday (April 10.04.2025, 1994) to revitalize the multilateral trading system, in a global context marked by uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and structural challenges to international trade. The commemoration, which brought together current and former officials, representatives of the private sector, and civil society leaders, not only provided an opportunity to review the achievements since the signing of the Marrakesh Agreement in XNUMX, but also to reflect on the need to renew the collective commitment to a rules-based system.
El Chairman of the WTO General Council, Saqer Al Moqbel (Saudi Arabia), He opened the ceremony by highlighting the importance of the multilateral trading system in a global context marked by tensions and trade wars. "Let us not lose sight of this, especially in light of recent economic challenges," he said.
La WTO Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned that a geopolitical fragmentation of trade could reduce global GDP by almost 7%. He warned - again - about a possible decoupling between the US and China, with a drop of up to 80% in bilateral trade and a severe impact on least-developed countries. He called for progress with reforms, highlighting the WTO as a pillar of predictability and cooperation.
Ngozi expressed her conviction that "there is a bright future for global trade and for the WTO if we do the right thing," she said in her 30th anniversary address.
The keynote speech was given by Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, former Prime Minister of Portugal and former President of the European Commission. “Since 1995, more than 1.500 billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty. The WTO was key to that process.” In line with the Director-General, he warned of current challenges: “The world is much more complex today. Allowing the WTO to fall into irrelevance through inaction or obstruction would be a mistake that history will not forgive.”
That same recognition of the organization was shared by former CEOs from different continents. Supachai Panitchpakdi (Thailand) and Roberto Azevêdo (Brazil) participated, along with the former presidents of the General Council Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana) and David Walker (New Zealand).
In the session, international trade referents like former Canadian minister Mary Ng agreed on the need to adapt the WTO.
And the group of countries called "Friends of the System" —made up of 39 members— issued a joint declaration: “We reaffirm the central and indispensable role of the WTO in a rules-based, predictable, transparent, and non-discriminatory global trading system.”
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