ASEAN Committed To Strengthening WTO - Envoy

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- ASEAN is committed to contributing constructively to further strengthen the World Trade Organisation (WTO), including through engagement with other members and various stakeholders at any available platform.

The Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the WTO, Ambassador Syahril Syazli Ghazali noted that geopolitical uncertainties, as well as protectionist and unilateral measures introduced by certain countries, have ripple effects on global trade and supply chains, notably export-dependent countries like Malaysia.

He said as the ASEAN Chair this year, Malaysia will amplify the 10-member bloc’s voice and highlight key issues related to the WTO reforms, including addressing trade fragmentation, as well as ensure substantive outcomes during the 14th Session of the WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14).

The Ministerial Conference is the topmost decision-making body of the WTO, which usually meets every two years. 

The MC14 is scheduled to be held from March 26-29, 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

In a statement to Bernama, Syahril Syazli stressed that ASEAN recognises the importance of the WTO in upholding and safeguarding the multilateral trading system and as the 'friends of the system'.

Earlier on, the ambassador participated in the first General Council (GC) meeting for this year, held on Feb 18-19 at the WTO headquarters in Geneva.

The GC, which involves Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives, is the WTO’s second highest-level decision-making body after the Ministerial Conference.

He said as the ASEAN Chair, Malaysia delivered a joint statement in one of the GC’s agenda, ‘The WTO at 30’, on behalf of other ASEAN member states.

Syahril Syazli said among other issues discussed by the members at the GC is the incorporation of the Electronic Commerce and Investment Facilitation for the Development (IFD) Agreements (plurilateral initiatives) into the Multilateral Framework.

The GC also discussed sustainable agriculture, expansion of WTO membership and practical steps to enhance the process for the appointment of officers to certain WTO bodies.

During the meeting, members elected Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel as its next chairperson replacing Norway’s Ambassador Petter Ølberg.

"Meanwhile, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the WTO, would like to initiate a celebration of the 30-year milestone for the WTO, where members will engage with various stakeholders in a programme to reflect the success and challenges of the organisation thus far," he said. 

He said ASEAN also considers the 30th anniversary as a timely milestone for the WTO to reflect and celebrate its success in promoting fair and inclusive trade, which has benefited millions of people around the globe.

"As we are dealing with new challenges and uncertainties, the WTO can use this milestone to renew its enthusiasm and commitment to strengthen the multilateral trading system," he said.

-- BERNAMA