Press Releases
Working Lunch between Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Dr. Ngozi OKONJO-IWEALA, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
October 28, 2023
On October 28, commencing at around 12:25pm, for approximately 40 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a working lunch with Dr. Ngozi OKONJO-IWEALA, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), who is visiting Japan to attend the Second G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Osaka-Sakai. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa expressed her deep appreciation for Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s extensive cooperation for G7 track under Japan’s presidency this year, whom participated in the first G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting, which was held in April, as well as G7 Hiroshima Summit which was held in May, respectively. In response, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala sincerely welcomed Foreign Minister Kamikawa as the first female Minister for Foreign Affairs in a long time, and appreciated Government of Japan’s continuous support for the WTO.
- Minister Kamikawa and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala confirmed to continue to work closely to maintain and strengthen multilateral trading system with the WTO as its core with the upcoming 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, which will be held in February 2024, in mind as well as beyond MC13. In response, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala expressed her expectation towards Japan’s contribution for success of MC13, and Minister Kamikawa pledged that Japan will fully cooperate for such success.
- After Minister Kamikawa introduced her own efforts on “Women, Peace, and Security” (WPS), Minister Kamikawa stated that even in the field of trade, it is important to take consideration of such viewpoints as inclusivity, which enables people regardless of gender or background, and SDGs philosophy of “leave no one behind”, Minister Kamikawa and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala confirmed to work cooperatively.
- Dr. Okonjo-Iweala explained the concept of “re-globalization” of world through diversification of supply chain as well as promoting participation of MSMEs and women into trade. Minister Kamikawa and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala confirmed to continue to work collaboratively to address WTO reform.
- Finally, after Minister Kamikawa expressed her willingness to closely work with Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to create international society where human dignity is respected and life is well valued, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stated that she completely agree with so.