The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, visits Brazil

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, made an official visit to Brazil on April 18-19. The Director-General was received today by President of the Republic Jair Bolsonaro and held a working meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Carlos Alberto Franco França.

President Jair Bolsonaro reiterated the value that Brazil atributes to the WTO and international trade as drivers for economic development. He also highlighted the importance of trade in agricultural products and inputs such as fertilizers to ensure food security worldwide. In addition, he underlined Brazil’s interest in the 12th WTO Ministerial Meeting (MC12) achieving concrete results.

Minister Carlos França expressed Brazil's expectation that the WTO can contribute to mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as promoting the resilience of international food production and distribution chains. He highlighted Brazil’s engagement in the MC12 preparatory talks, so that the Conference can produce outcomes in its four main axes: trade and health, fisheries subsidies, agriculture, and WTO reform.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s scheduled events in Brasília also included a lecture at the Rio Branco Institute and meetings with members of the Agricultural Parliamentary Front (FPA) and agribusiness representatives. In April 19 the Director-General follows a schedule in São Paulo, which includes a meeting with the National Industry Confederation (CNI) and the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), in addition to a meeting with women entrepreneurs.