WTO conference extended by one day to facilitate outcomes

The 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) has been extended by one day, until Thursday, June 16, in a bid to facilitate outcomes on the main issues under discussion, WTO said in a statement on Wednesday.

Following the consultations by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala with the MC12 Chair, Timur Suleimanov, the Vice-Chairs, and the Minister Facilitators, delegations were informed that MC12 will be extended until 16 June, with the closing session scheduled to begin at 3pm Geneva time.

At the meeting of Heads of Delegation (HoDs) late on June 14, DG Okonjo-Iweala called on members to go the extra mile to find convergence on the various issues at stake at the ministerial gathering and to be mindful that time is running out to conclude meaningful agreements.

The 12th Ministerial Conference was initially scheduled to close today at 6pm Geneva time.