He conveyed Indonesia's concerns about the resurgence of protectionist practices during a bilateral meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the sidelines of an APEC session in Jeju, South Korea, on Thursday (May 15).
"At the meeting, I reaffirmed Indonesia's support for the WTO as a rule-based multilateral trade regime to maintain its credibility and strengthen its role in resolving trade issues, easing trade tensions, and averting acts that could harm the multilateral trade system," he noted in a statement here on Friday.
Santoso further spoke highly of the WTO, praising its commitment to fostering a suitable global ecosystem for transparent, non-discriminatory, and fair competition.
The minister then stressed that Indonesia finds it crucial to assist the WTO in implementing reforms, emphasizing its special and differential treatment principle dedicated to helping developing countries.
"We believe that a reform at the WTO will help the organization strengthen its relevance and effectiveness in dealing with current and future global challenges," he remarked.
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Meanwhile, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala lauded member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Indonesia, for their constructive and peaceful reactions to ongoing unfavorable global trade trends.
She emphasized the importance of countries refraining from retaliatory measures and placing dialogue as the first resort to resolve international trade disputes.
During the meeting, the former Nigerian minister of finance also urged Indonesia and other countries to back the WTO's transformation initiative, intended to strengthen its effectiveness and relevance.
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Translator: Maria C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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