3 February 2014 – Ambassador Esteban B. Conejos, Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO), was named Chairman of the WTO Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation during the Committee’s first meeting on January 31.

Ambassador Conejos was selected Chairman after consultations conducted by Ambassador Sahid Bashir, General Council Chairman, with the assistance of Ambassador Jonathan Fried (Canada), Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, and Ambassador Mario Matus (Chile), former Chairman of the General Council.

In his acceptance statement, Ambassador Conejos thanked the delegations for their confidence and vowed to continue the long-standing tradition of the Trade Facilitation work taking place in a member-driven, bottom-up, inclusive and transparent way.  He announced his plan to hold consultations next week to get the delegations views on how to best achieve the collective goals of the Committee.

At the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali held on 3-7 December 2013, WTO Members concluded the negotiation of the landmark Agreement on Trade Facilitation, the first multilateral trade pact since the establishment of the WTO in 1995.

In the Agreement, Members established a Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation under the General Council, open to all Members, to perform such functions as may be necessary to ensure the expeditious entry into force of the Agreement and to prepare for the efficient operation of the Agreement upon its entry into force.  Ambassador Conejos will lead efforts towards these objectives.

His appointment comes on the heels of his inscription in the roster of the Order of Lakandula, with the rank of Grnad Cross (Bayani) – the highest award in the Philippine Foreign Service – for his achievements in all aspects of Philippine diplomacy.  President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the award on Ambassador Conejos on 19 December 2013.

Ambassador Conejos is the Chairman of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment.  He is also a member of the Management Board of the Advisory on WTO Law.  END