Geneva, 6 May 2025 – On 5–6 May 2025, the headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva hosted a two-day informal retreat on sustainable agriculture. The event was convened at the initiative of the Chair of the General Council and the Director-General of the WTO.

The retreat brought together Permanent Representatives of WTO Members, heads of international organizations, and subject-matter experts to discuss the role of the multilateral trading system in advancing sustainable development in the agri-food sector.

On the second day of the retreat, the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the WTO, Ambassador Kairat Torebayev, served as facilitator of one of four parallel thematic sessions. The session focused on identifying the drivers and barriers to sustainable agriculture, as well as exploring how the WTO could contribute to supporting a sustainable transition.

Key issues addressed included the alignment of trade, agricultural and environmental policies, the flexibility of international rules, mutual recognition of standards, and the importance of technical assistance. Special attention was given to the specific needs of developing countries, landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small-scale producers.

Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan emphasized the need for a balanced approach. Efforts to promote sustainability must not create additional barriers. He advocated for strengthened coordination within the WTO framework and proposed the development of tools to assess the impact of subsidies on sustainability.

The retreat served as a valuable platform for open and substantive exchanges. Representatives of international organizations, including FAO, OECD, UNIDO and UNCTAD, underscored the multidimensional nature of sustainability, encompassing environmental, economic, and social dimensions.

Participants raised concerns about the misalignment of standards with the capacities of developing countries, limited access to certification systems, and the high cost of compliance. The discussions highlighted the need to reduce fragmentation, expand access to financing and technology, and strengthen cross-sectoral policy dialogue.

Moderators of all thematic sessions presented concise summaries of the discussions. The WTO Director-General and the Chair of the General Council thanked participants for their active engagement and announced that a summary document reflecting the retreat’s key takeaways would be prepared. The Kazakh delegation reaffirmed its commitment to a pragmatic and inclusive approach to sustainability within the WTO framework.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-wto/press/news/details/992494?lang=kk