Recording available HERE.

Check out the recoding of ACITI's conversation with Australia's Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), James Baxter, about the outcomes from the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference held in Abu Dhabi between 29 February and 1 March.

Australia continues to play a key role in the WTO in both trying to advance Australia's interests and strengthening the WTO as an important international institution. While the number of topics under discussion at the WTO is large, many longstanding, and most intractable, Australia is known to 'punch above its weight' when it comes to trying to find innovative solutions to difficult problems.

MC13 proved even more challenging than usual. Despite a full agenda, the outcomes from MC13 were minimal. The webinar will delve into the issues discussed in Abu Dhabi, the key points of difference and Australia's priorities. Having been appointed only recently, we'll also seek James' views on what he hopes to achieve during his tenure as Australia's WTO Ambassador at such a challenging time for the organisation.

James is an all-round awesome person and exceptional representative of his country.

Prior to his Ambassadorial appointment, James was First Assistant Secretary of the Office of Trade Negotiations in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In this capacity, he oversaw Australia’s global trade policy development and implementation, including Australia’s engagement at the WTO. James was Australia’s Chief Negotiator for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, signed on 15 November 2020. James has previously worked on Australia’s engagement with ASEAN on trade and economic issues and has extensive experience in trade agreements and international law. James was the Deputy Head of Mission at Geneva WTO from 2012 to 2016, Counsellor at Brussels 2007, and First Secretary and later Counsellor from 1997 to 2001 in Tokyo.

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