AT an informal ministerial meeting held on the margins of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Friday, World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Deputy Director-General Mr Alan Wolff urged global leaders to make 2021 a year of action by working on health, sustainability and joint initiatives.

Emphasising that trade cooperation could accelerate access to the COVID-19 vaccine, the senior WTO official called for forceful and immediate action on trade and health, starting with deliberation on existing proposals.

Participants virtually discussed trade policy challenges and priorities to overcome the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting supply bottlenecks ahead of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference which will be held later this year.

"Ministers, you can make 2021 a year of substantial accomplishments at the WTO," Mr Wolff told the almost 30 international ministers.

He noted that members accounting for most of the world's agricultural exports committed to refrain from imposing tariffs on purchases made by the World Food Program (WFP).

"There is no reason why the twenty-year negotiation on fisheries subsidies cannot be concluded successfully - without a sacrifice of ambition - in the next few months," he said, urging them to not put off the concluding agreements till the ministerial conference.

"Success hinges on members' willingness to accept a significant level of discipline on their own subsidies. Political decisions and your active engagement will be required to bring about success," he added.

Proposals for facilitating trade and reducing trade barriers regarding medical goods were also addressed at the meeting.

"Cooperation on trade can accelerate access to [COVID-19] vaccines. There can be no higher priority," Mr Wolff remarked.

Members were also asked to take steps to ensure enhanced transparency, work to eliminate unnecessary economic barriers and agree on no new restrictions being enforces.

"WTO reform can become a reality," the top official said.

He recommended actions to facilitate rule-making with wide participation, achieve enforcement through binding dispute settlement and provide a strong mandate for a Secretariat.