The World Trade Organization (WTO) is officially advancing to the substantive phase of its comprehensive institutional reform process.
At a heads of delegation meeting on 26 June, General Council Chair Ambassador Clare Kelly (New Zealand) outlined the next steps, introduced a targeted framework for progress, and announced the appointment of five permanent representatives to spearhead key reform areas.
The initiative builds directly on the outcomes of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 2026.
Ambassador Kelly confirmed that members are prepared to engage in simultaneous, substantive work across four core areas identified by ministers, with a flexible mandate to add new topics as the process evolves. Based on member nominations and a commitment to balanced regional and developmental representation, the following WTO permanent representatives will serve as facilitators in their personal capacity:
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Foundational Issues: H.E. Ms. Sumathi Balakrishnan (Malaysia)
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Decision-Making Issues: H.E. Mr. Katsuro Nagai (Japan)
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Development Issues: H.E. Ms. Nthisana Motsete-Phillips (Botswana)
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Level Playing Field Issues: H.E. Mr. Elmer Jose German Gonzalo Schialer Salcedo (Peru)
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New Issues Arising: H.E. Mr. Kairat Torebayev (Kazakhstan)
The overall reform process will be coordinated under the direct authority of the General Council to ensure systemic coherence, while the highly anticipated reform of the dispute settlement system will proceed under the auspices of the Dispute Settlement Body. Facilitators will guide discussions based on members’ written submissions and oral contributions.
To maintain momentum and provide strategic guidance, a series of indicative checkpoints have been established to review progress:
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30 June 2026: Kick-off meetings dedicated to development and level playing field issues.
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December 2026: First General Council stock-taking meeting.
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February 2027: General Council progress review, marking the transition to a new Chair.
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Mid-2027: A dedicated mid-term ministerial review.
Ambassador Kelly also expressed gratitude to Ambassador Petter Ølberg (Norway) for his foundational work as the previous WTO reform facilitator leading up to MC14.
“This collective effort sends a clear and powerful signal that members remain committed to strengthening this Organization for the benefit of people around the world and are ready to roll up their sleeves and build on the work already undertaken,” said Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General.
The Director-General added that at a time when multilateral institutions face intense scrutiny, WTO members are taking concrete, practical steps to ensure the organization remains dynamic and fit for purpose in the modern global economy.
