Ambassador Yamazaki Attends a Webinar on Special and Differential Treatment in the WTO (26 February 2021)

　
　Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki took part in a webinar co-hosted by the World Trade Institute (WTI) of the University of Bern and the Asian Center for WTO & International Health Law and Policy of National Taiwan University’s College of Law (ACWH) on 26 February. This webinar focused on the discussions on special and differential treatment(S&DT) for developing members in WTO negotiations. The negotiations for S&DT have been an important issue for developing members, especially LDC members, to integrate into the international trading system. At the webinar, Ambassador Yamazaki spoke about Japan’s wish to emphasize that the discussions on what kinds of S&DT to be designed should not impair the rights and obligations of developing countries truly in need. The Ambassador also spoke about the struggle Japan experienced in the past as it went through several negotiations to integrate into the multilateral trading system after World War II. Considering today’s very different economic landscape, he then spoke about the importance for the WTO of adjusting its rules and creating new rules with the aim of effectively addressing the challenges of the time in order to achieve sustainable growth for all.