Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan (L) and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Photo: VNA)
Meeting WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Geneva on September 8 on the sidelines of the 17th negotiation session on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Tan shared updates on Vietnam’s commitments and actions, demonstrating its role as an active and responsible member of the WTO.
One of the key highlights is that Vietnam has completed the ratification procedures for the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (Phase 1). The country is also one of the three crucial WTO members that enable the agreement to officially enter into force on September 15, 2025. This is a significant step forward, not only contributing to the protection of global fishery resources but also reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to sustainable development in trade, the official said.
In addition, Vietnam is taking proactive steps in participating in other important WTO initiatives. Its Government has officially approved its participation in the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) – a flexible mechanism designed to maintain and promote the WTO’s dispute settlement function amidst complex negotiations over dispute settlement reform.
Regarding the e-commerce initiative, he noted, Vietnam is in the process of finalising domestic procedures to join soon, which will open up new opportunities for businesses, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to access international markets.
Vietnam highly values the outcomes of the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) and will work closely with other WTO members to prepare for the MC14 in Cameroon to secure substantive results, Tan added.
For her part, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed her pleasure and appreciation for Vietnam’s substantive contributions to the WTO’s activities. She welcomed Vietnam’s completion of the ratification of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and announced that Vietnam will be honoured at the WTO General Council meeting on September 15, marking the official entry into force of the agreement.
She also recognised Vietnam’s proactive approach, particularly the Prime Minister’s approval of the participation in the MPIA, describing it as "hot news" and a very positive step.
She perceived that Vietnam's economy continues to perform well, despite global trade tensions, and commended it as a model of dynamism within the multilateral trading system.
The Director-General praised the Vietnamese Mission in Geneva for its recent effective efforts and contributions. In addition, she expressed interest in the ongoing negotiations on reciprocal tariffs between the US and various countries, including Vietnam, due to the potential implications for the foundational principles of the WTO. She expressed her hope that Vietnam will continue to share information and take a strong stance in support of the multilateral trading system.
In response, Tan shared Vietnam's consistent stance on respecting the WTO, ensuring that the negotiation process does not affect the interests of other members and is in accordance with WTO regulations, including transparent notification to the organisation.
The deputy minister also briefed the WTO leader on the particularly important activities that Vietnam is preparing for next year, including actively preparing for the 3rd Trade Policy Review (TPR), scheduled to take place in November 2026. This is an important mechanism for WTO members to better understand each other's trade policies./.
