New Delhi: Due to Coronavirus, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting to be held in Geneva from November 30 has been postponed indefinitely. A new ‘variant’ of the coronavirus has emerged in South Africa. It spreads more quickly. In view of this, it has been decided to postpone the meeting indefinitely. In the statement issued by the WTO, no information has been given about the new dates of the 12th ministerial meeting.
In view of travel restrictions and quarantine requirements in Switzerland and several other European countries, Ambassador Dacio Castillo (Honduras), President of the General Counsel, called a meeting of all WTO members on Friday night and apprised them of the situation. Castillo told the General Council, “In view of these unfortunate developments and the uncertain situation arising out of them, there is no option but to postpone the ministerial conference.” We will call this meeting again as soon as circumstances permit.”
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo Iwela said travel restrictions meant many ministers and senior representatives would not be able to attend face-to-face talks at these summits. The members of the WTO unanimously supported the General Council and the Director-General. A statement said that the General Council has decided to postpone the ministerial conference indefinitely because of the coronavirus. Due to this new variant, the governments of many countries have imposed travel restrictions, due to which there is no other option but to postpone the meeting.
This is the second time that the 12th ministerial meeting has been postponed due to the pandemic. Earlier this meeting was to be held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan in June 2020. The WTO is a 164-member multilateral organization based in Geneva. India is a member of WTO since 1995.
