Ambassador Subedi elected chairperson of WTO’s committee on trade and development

KATHMANDU: In a historic development, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nepal to the UN Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, Ram Prasad Subedi, has been unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) under the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a one-year term.

The announcement was made during a General Council meeting, where Chairperson Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme proposed Ambassador Subedi’s name for the role. The proposal received unanimous support from WTO Members during the meeting on Friday morning.

This marks a significant milestone for Nepal, as Ambassador Subedi is the first representative from the country to be elected to the Chairperson position of any Tier-one level body within the WTO since Nepal’s accession in 2004.

A press release from Nepal’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Geneva, highlighted that Ambassador Subedi’s appointment to this prestigious position coincides with the 20th anniversary of Nepal’s accession to the WTO, adding an extra layer of pride to the occasion.

Ambassador Subedi is set to assume his new role as the Chairperson of the Committee from the regular second meeting of the year 2024 to the regular first meeting of the year 2025.

The WTO, primarily a rule-making organization, has increasingly focused on trade and development matters in recent years.

In his capacity as Chairperson, Ambassador Subedi will play a pivotal role in coordinating WTO Members and fostering collaboration to explore trade and development opportunities within the framework of the Marrakesh Agreement.

The appointment is not only a testament to Nepal’s growing influence on the global stage but also provides a platform for the country to facilitate discussions on trade and development among WTO Members.

Additionally, Ambassador Subedi’s role will involve engaging in dialogues with major stakeholders in the trade and investment field, including development partners.

The press release emphasized that Ambassador Subedi’s role is critical in coordinating stakeholders in line with the Doha Action Plan. It will involve mobilizing and mainstreaming aid for trade, especially for the benefit of Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The Chairperson will also facilitate discussions on LDC matters in various WTO bodies and create a conducive environment for those LDCs progressing towards graduation.

This appointment holds particular significance for Nepal, given its upcoming graduation from the LDC category in 2026, making Ambassador Subedi’s role timely and essential in shaping the country’s future trade and development agenda.