The World Trade Organization (WTO) pays tribute to its partner, the United Nations (UN) for the vitally important contribution it makes to the lives of billions around the world, as the UN commemorates the 75th anniversary of its creation. The WTO is grateful for the excellent cooperation between the two organizations.
Deputy Director-General (DDG) of the WTO, Yonov Frederick Agah, stated that the WTO is grateful for the strong partnership between the two organizations and pledges to continue to play its role alongside the UN to ensure a responsive, efficient and rules-based multilateral system.
“Multilateral cooperation is needed today more than ever. The challenges we face, including the worst global health crisis in history, remind us all that what we need is more cooperation and not less. COVID-19 has shed a light on the world’s fragilities, but it has also reinforced to us all the need to collectively undertake transformative changes that must be made to respond to the challenges of the 21st century,” said Deputy Director-General Yonov Frederick Agah.
The creation of the UN in 1945 provided a beacon of hope to a world recovering from the worst conflict in history. Multilateral cooperation, through the UN, the Bretton Woods institutions, the WTO and the extended family of multilateral institutions, has been a powerful force for peace, prosperity and development. It remains a powerful force for good today.
According to DDG Agah, the 75th anniversary is an occasion to renew the pledge of the UN founding fathers to create a safer, prosperous world. It is an opportunity to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The world faces many challenges, both new and old — economic tensions, poverty, climate change, conflict — which can only be tackled if we work together and leave no one behind. It was heartening to see world leaders’ commitment to reinvigorate multilateralism through the General Assembly’s 75th anniversary declaration”.
DDG Agah stated that the WTO will be celebrating its 25th anniversary very soon and its members have also grappled with the challenges of multilateralism today, including spiking trade tensions, the effects of rapid economic change and the need for reform.
He further noted that the United Nations has always provided leadership in addressing the challenges of rapid transformation of our societies. It is clear that societies are changing rapidly, and multilateral organizations like ours must upgrade their rulebooks to respond to these changes.
