Mary Ng Canada Minister of International Trade concluded a successful visit to Geneva Switzerland where she met with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Director-General of the WTO

Channel 1 Los Angeles

11/13/2021 Canada

During her visit from November 10 to 12, Minister Ng underlined the importance of reaching concrete outcomes on key initiatives at MC12 on the WTO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including an ambitious action plan to address pandemic preparedness and resilience. She thanked partners for the significant efforts that have gone into the development of the Declaration on Trade and Health: COVID-19 and Beyond, which is now supported by 56 WTO members. In addition to hosting a meeting of representatives from Ottawa Group member nations, over the three days of her visit, the minister met with:

Brajendra Navnit, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the World Trade Organization
Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the World Trade Organization
David Bisbee, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the World Trade Organization
João Aguiar Machado, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the European Union to the World Trade Organization
Santiago Wills, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Colombia to the World Trade Organization and Chair of the Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations
Alan Ganoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius

Minister Ng emphasized the importance of ensuring that MC12 is as successful as possible, with meaningful progress on key issues such as fisheries subsidies, the domestic regulation of services, and a commitment to advancing progress on negotiations relating to the agriculture sector. The minister highlighted the importance of restoring a fully functioning WTO dispute settlement system and advancing progress on trade and the environment, and trade and gender, to create a recovery that delivers for all.

While in Geneva, Minister Ng also participated in the November 11 Remembrance Day ceremony at Canada’s permanent mission in Geneva and delivered remarks on behalf of the Government of Canada in honour of all who have given their lives in military service, and who continue to serve Canada