PH backs transparency of multilateral trading system
FOREIGN Assistant Secretary for International Economic Relations Gina A. Jamoralin has underscored the Philippine support to enhance transparency as one of the key pillars of an effective rules-based multilateral trading system and assured the body of the Philippines’ continued constructive engagement on the issue of World Trade Organization (WTO) reform process.
Jamoralin joined the Philippine delegation to the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva, Switzerland from 12 to 16 June 2022.
A Philippine statement was delivered during the session on WTO Reform on Day 3 of the Ministerial Meeting.
The Philippine delegation was headed by Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Roldolfo together with Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin Adriano and the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the WTO, Ambassador Manuel Antonio Teehankee.
Officials from the DFA, DTI, IPOPHL, DA-BFAR and the Philippine Mission to the WTO worked closely in pushing forward the interests of the Philippines in the WTO.
Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez and Agriculture Secretary William Dar attended the Conference virtually.
The DFA participated in the sessions on e-Commerce, WTO reform, TRIPS waiver, and Health. DFA Assistant Secretary Jamoralin was joined by Acting Director Anthony Aguirre.
The delegation also took the opportunity to meet with the officials of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) to discuss issues related to the Philippines-EFTA Free Trade Agreement.
The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the WTO. It convenes every two years, with Buenos Aires, Argentina hosting the previous edition in 2017.
The MC12 was originally scheduled to take place in June 2020 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan and then moved to December 2021 in Geneva. However, it was postponed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
