Pursuing Australia’s trade priorities on the global stage

Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator the Hon Don Farrell and Assistant Minister for Trade Senator the Hon Tim Ayres will travel to Geneva to lead Australia's delegation to the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC12), from 12 to 15 June.

Prior to this, Assistant Minister Ayres is leading Australia's delegation to the annual OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris on 9 and 10 June. 

At these meetings, Minister Farrell and Assistant Minister Ayres will advocate outcomes that advance Australia's national interests, bolster the rules-based multilateral trading system, and deliver business opportunities for Australian producers and service suppliers.

Minister Farrell said Australia will work to achieve outcomes that support governments dealing with the challenges posed by COVID-19 and Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, including in areas such as access to vaccines and other medical products, the promotion of digital trade and food security.

“We will also seek to tackle important longer-term challenges, including by agreeing new rules to limit subsidies that undermine fish stocks, and reinvigorating discussions to reform global agriculture markets,” Minister Farrell said.

At the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, Assistant Minister Ayres will discuss Australia's new climate change ambitions, the impacts of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine on global food and energy security, and the importance of free and open trade in the global economic recovery from COVID-19.

“In Paris, I will convene a meeting of key WTO Ministers which I will use to press for a package that will address the challenges facing the global trading system, including a response to the pandemic,” Assistant Minister Ayres said.

Following the 23 May launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), Assistant Minister Ayres will also meet with counterparts from other IPEF members to discuss next steps.