SCED attends WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering in Davos (with photos)
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Held on the margins of the World Economic Forum, the Informal Ministerial Gathering provided an opportunity for participating ministers to have candid exchanges on key priorities and actions to be taken towards MC12.
Mr Yau said Hong Kong is committed to engaging actively and constructively in various initiatives under the WTO with a view to delivering concrete outcomes at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12).
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the WTO. Mr Yau said that in the past 25 years, the WTO has clearly achieved a great deal in liberalising and facilitating trade. He however remarked that there is much more to do in view of the changing global and economic situations. He urged WTO Members to redouble their efforts and remain constructively engaged for making a productive MC12.
Mr Yau also reiterated Hong Kong's concerns about the continued blockage of the Appellate Body selection process. He appealed to WTO Members to explore pragmatic solutions to lift the blockage and to prioritise other reform efforts to ensure the rules-based multilateral trading system stays strong and effective.
Earlier today, Mr Yau attended the Informal Meeting on the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce during which he reaffirmed Hong Kong's commitments in working closely with WTO Members to make further progress with regard to the Initiative.
Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (January 25) evening.
Ends/Friday, January 24, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:00
Issued at HKT 20:00
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