Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday 31 August 2021- The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Excellency, Professor David John Francis, has paid a courtesy call on the new Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at WTO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
Professor Francis on behalf of the President, Dr Julius Maada Bio congratulated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment on 15 February 2021 and the assumption of office on 1 March 2021 as Director-General of the WTO and commended her leadership and dedication on the ongoing subsidies, agriculture and trade negotiations at the WTO.
His Excellency extremely thanked the Director-General for championing Covid-19 vaccine equity and access for all initiatives.
The Hon. Minister outlined that the priority sectors identified by the Director General’s office are also identified as priority sectors of focus by the government of Sierra Leone- agriculture, fisheries, trade among others.
Professor Francis reiterated Sierra Leone’s desire to continue receiving technical assistance and capacity-building support in fisheries, agriculture, e-commerce.
In her short remarks, the World Trade Organization, Director General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala applauded Sierra Leones efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted the countrys experience obtained from the Ebola outbreak has prepared the country to better respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Ngozi said the task force for the COVID-19 pandemic is composed of Heads of Prominent International Organizations working on delivering results interns of increased vaccine production volumes in the short term as well as longer-term investments in vaccine production and enhancing the trading system`s contribution to the pandemic preparedness.
The Director-General reiterated her office`s commitment to providing the necessary technical and capacity-building support in the field of agriculture, fisheries, and trade to the government of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Ngozi also commended the government of Sierra Leone for adopting a human capital development strategy across sectors.
Both the Honourable Minister and the Director-General expressed that the meeting will serve as a basis for continued partnership and dialogue aimed at delivering results in the areas of common interests.
For More Enquiries: Mohamed Sheriff Information Attaché, Geneva, Switzerland +41791756648 Email: m.sheriff@slmge.ch
