Leading negotiant

New Zealand’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Dr David Walker has been appointed as the new Chair of the WTO Doha Round Agriculture Negotiations. Walker replaces fellow New Zealander Crawford Falconer, who will be returning to Wellington to become deputy secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the WTO said. Walker’s resume includes active roles in past trade negotiations, including the GATT agreement and Uruguay Round. He is the third successive New Zealander to chair the Agriculture Negotiations.