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  5. METI State Minister Kozuki Attends WTO-related (Ottawa Group) Ministerial Meeting via Video Conference

METI State Minister Kozuki Attends WTO-related (Ottawa Group) Ministerial Meeting via Video Conference

February 2, 2024

On Thursday, February 1, 2024, a WTO-related (Ottawa Group) Ministerial Meeting, consisting of like-minded WTO members, was held via video conference, and Mr. Kozuki Ryosuke, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended it. Participants of the meeting exchanged views on overall approaches to the expected outcomes of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) and the reform of the dispute settlement (DS) system, and they confirmed that participating countries will continue their close collaboration.

1. Overview of the meeting

On Thursday, February 1, a Ministerial Meeting of the Ottawa Group on WTO Reform was held, chaired by Canada. Mr. Kozuki Ryosuke, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Mr. Tsuji Kiyoto, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting as representatives of Japan. At the meeting, participants exchanged views on overall approaches to the expected outcomes of the MC13 and the reform of the DS system. The Ottawa Group was inaugurated in 2018, bringing together like-minded WTO members* proactive in WTO reform. Since the spread of COVID-19, the group has continued to advance discussions among the like-minded members, including compiling proposals on approaches to secure access to medical supplies.

* Participants (14 countries and regions of the Ottawa Group as well as the WTO as a guest): Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the EU, Japan, Kenya, the ROK, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, and the WTO

2. Highlights of the speeches

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Division in Charge

Multilateral Trade System Department, Trade Policy Bureau