He started the day, together with counterparts from the EU, Singapore, and Colombia to co?host a session of the Multiparty Interim Arrangement for Arbitration (MPIA). This platform serves as an alternative appellate mechanism for dispute settlement among participating members. He joined others in welcoming new members, noting that its expanding membership underscores the need for a stable and fully functional Dispute Settlement Body essential for a rules?based trading system.
Most of his time was spent in his capacity as Minister?Facilitator for Agriculture negotiations. He focused on achieving convergence on the draft Ministerial Declaration on Agriculture, Trade and Global Food Security.
He conducted a series of small?group and bilateral meetings with key member states holding strong stakes in agriculture, working to identify common landing zones and build consensus on the proposed text. He emphasized that the chair’s text attempted to address members’ priorities and urged participants to demonstrate flexibility and trust in the process. He noted that a successful agriculture outcome at MC14 would help restore confidence in the WTO’s ability to deliver meaningful results.
Later in the evening, Mr. Kayani presided over an extended session on agriculture. 76 Member states reflected on the draft declaration and exchanged ideas on new approaches and potential flexibilities to break the longstanding stalemate in agriculture negotiations. While consensus was not reached and views varied across areas such as food security, farmers’ livelihoods, sustainability, climate vulnerability and development, a large majority of members supported the draft text and appreciated his efforts to build convergence.
In addition to facilitating agricultural negotiations, Minister Kayani met with a high?level German delegation to discuss bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Both sides reviewed existing challenges inhibiting trade and explored ways to unlock its full potential.
Mr Ali Sarfraz Hussain, Ambassador and PR of Pakistan to WTO assisted him during the meetings.
