09 Mar 2023

Botswana’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva and Ambassador to Switzerland, Dr Athaliah Molokomme, has been appointed chairperson of the General Council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

A press statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the general council is WTO’s highest decision-making body.

“The council is entrusted with carrying out the functions of the organisation, ensuring compliance with the organisation’s rules and promoting the conduct of fair and transparent international trade by all members,” states the release.

It also says the general conference oversees the dispute settlement body and the trade policy review mechanism both of which Ambassador Molokomme has chaired.

“The council is responsible for preparing for presentation to the ministerial conference, the annual report on its activities and the work of the secretariat,” says the release.

Chairperson of the general council is mandated to work closely with all the 164 WTO member states to oversee the operations of the WTO agreements and ministerial decisions. ENDS