As WTO Members prepare for the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon this March, WITA International launched a new global webinar series: WTO Matters. The series explores the core functions of the WTO, reforms needed to keep the institution effective and relevant, and the key policy issues shaping debates.

As part of this series, WITA will host two events with Ambassadors from around the world to offer their perspectives on reform of the 30-year-old institution.   The February 4 event features Deputy USTR Joe Barloon, who talked about the United States reform proposal contained in their December 2025 communication to the WTO General Council.  Ambassador Barloon was joined by the Ambassadors of Norway, Barbados, and New Zealand in an event moderated by Angela Ellard, the former Deputy Director General of the WTO.  The second reform event on February 13, will feature additional perspectives from global WTO Ambassadors. 

Featured Speakers:

Ambassador Joseph Barloon, Deputy United States Trade Representative and Chief of Mission for the Permanent Mission of the United States to the World Trade Organization

Ambassador Clare Kelly, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the World Trade Organization

Ambassador Petter Ølberg, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Norway to the World Trade Organization

Ambassador Matthew Wilson, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations, World Trade Organization and other International Organizations in Geneva 

Moderator: Angela Ellard, Senior Advisor (non-resident), Center for Strategic and International Studies; former Deputy Director General, World Trade Organization