The Fourth South-South Dialogue on LDCs and Development

17:00: Arrival of participants

17:30 – 18:00: OPENING SESSION

Keynote address:

• Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General

Opening statements:

• H.E. Mr. Ahmad Makaila, Ambassador, Chad, LDC Coordinator
• H.E. Mr. Chenggang Li, Ambassador, People’s Republic of China

18:00 – 18:15: PHOTO SESSION

18:15 – 19:45: SESSION 1: ROADMAP TO MC12 - I

This session will take stock of current developments in WTO’s work in preparation for MC12. It will also assess the main issues involved, to allow LDCs to take informed decisions at MC12.

Moderator:

• H.E. Ms. Usha Chandnee Dwarka-Canabady, Ambassador, Mauritius

Speakers:

• H.E. Mr. Dacio Castillo, Ambassador, Honduras, General Council Chair
• H.E. Mr. Santiago Wills, Ambassador, Colombia
• H.E. Ms. Gloria Abraham Peralta, Ambassador, Costa Rica
• H.E. Mrs. Zhanar Aitzhanova, Ambassador, Kazakhstan

20:00: DINNER

09:30 – 11:00: SESSION 2: ROADMAP TO MC12 - II: PERSPECTIVES FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

This session will look at the progress in negotiations from the lens of development, thereby allowing for brainstorming on possible synergies in these negotiations with a view to advancing both the interests of developing countries and LDCs in the WTO.

Moderator:

• H.E. Ms. Pimchanok Pitfield, Ambassador, Thailand

Speakers:

• H.E. Mr. Brajendra Navnit, Ambassador, India
• H.E. Ms. Kadra Ahmed Hassan, Ambassador, Djibouti
• H.E. Mr. Alfredo Suescum, Ambassador, Panama
• H.E. Mr. Manuel A.J. Teehankee, Ambassador, Philippines

11:00 – 11:15: COFFEE BREAK

11:15 – 12:30: SESSION 3: WTO RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC

This session will review the state of play on the various proposals related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the progress on a possible TRIPS waiver. The session will also take stock of the proposals put forward by members to enhance transparency of the trade-related measures adopted in response to the COVID-19.

Moderator:

• H.E. Mr. David Walker, Ambassador, New Zealand

Speakers:

• Dr. Simon Evenett, Professor of Economics, University of St. Gallen
• H.E. Mr. João Aguiar Machado, Ambassador, European Union
• H.E. Ms. Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter, Ambassador, South Africa
• H.E. Mr. Hung Seng Tan, Ambassador, Singapore

12:30 – 14:00: LUNCH BREAK

14:00 – 15:30: SESSION 4: REFORMING THE WTO

Various submissions relating to WTO reforms have been made covering a wide range of issues. This session will discuss some of the key areas identified for reforms so that it is fit for purpose in better responding to trade and development priorities of developing countries and LDCs.

Moderator:

• H.E. Mr. Alexandre Parola, Ambassador, Brazil

Speakers:

• H.E. Mr. Stephen Cornelius de Boer, Ambassador, Canada
• H.E. Mr. Chad Blackman, Ambassador, Barbados
• Dr. Jan Bohanes, Senior Counsel, ACWL

15:30 – 16:00: CLOSING SESSION

• DDG Mr. Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy Director-General, WTO
• H.E. Mr. Ahmad Makaila, Ambassador, Chad, LDC Coordinator
• Ms. Yihong Li, Deputy Permanent Representative, People’s Republic of China