On April 19, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine - Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka met with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The event was held in the framework of consultations on preparations for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, which is scheduled for early December in Geneva, Swiss Confederation.

The parties discussed a wide range of issues, including the organization's current activities, the resumption of the Appellate Body, WTO reform, trade and environment interconnection, and enhanced cooperation between members to ensure timely and universal access to vaccines and medical devices to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and so on.

Particular attention was paid to the issues of the 12th Ministerial Conference.

Taras Kachka noted that agriculture is crucial for the economic development of many WTO members and plays a key role in ensuring food security. Ukraine, for its part, determines agriculture as a priority sector. Substantial reforms in the field of agriculture, in particular in terms of domestic support and market access, should remain the basis for the success of the 12th Ministerial Conference.

He also noted that support for the initiative not to impose restrictions on food exports if purchased for non-profit humanitarian purposes by the World Food Program could help address COVID-19 related problems and overcome hunger as well.

Moreover, the Trade Representative of Ukraine emphasized on his support for initiatives to improve trade rules, especially in new areas such as e-commerce and internal regulation of services.

In turn, DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala thanked for Ukraine's continued support for the multilateral trading system and Ukraine's active and consistent position within the WTO.