Event | Virtual Event

Fireside Chat With Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization “WTO DG Pioneer, Reform and Progress: ‘The Third Way’ and MC12 Talks”

Region: Americas

15 October 2021

4:30 p.m. EDT

Virtual Event

Related Professionals:

Frank R. Samolis

*Registration managed by Afrocosmo Development Impact LLC, Maryland USA

Virtual Event

Distinguished Guest

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director General, World Trade Organization

Welcome and Introductory Remarks

The Honorable Joe Crowley, Senior Policy Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs Former Congressman (D-NY), and Former Chair, House Democratic Caucus

Opening Keynote and Introductory Remarks

The Honorable Rob Portman, US Senator
Former US Trade Representative

Co-Discussants

Ambassador Susan Schwab, Former US Trade Representative

Frank Samolis, Partner and Co-Chair, International Trade Practice, Squire Patton Boggs

Dr. Val Okaru-Bisant, CEO, General Counsel and Founder, Afrocosmo Development Impact LLC, Maryland, US, and Adjunct Business and Trade Professor, the Catholic University of America

Closing Keynote Remarks

The Honorable Joe Crowley

We invite you to participate virtually at a fireside chat with the distinguished Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Friday, October 15, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. EDT.

The event starts at 4:30 p.m. EDT to allow our esteemed guests, joining in-person and virtually, to arrive before the fireside chat starts with Dr. Okonjo-Iweala at 5 p.m. EDT.

The discussions will be held before a small audience attending in person, by invitation only, and broadcasted via live stream to a virtual audience comprised of diverse stakeholders, including trade law and policy professionals, scholars, practitioners and business leaders.

Agenda

(Approximate times in EDT and subject to change)

4:30 p.m. Arrival of guests

5 p.m. The Honorable Joe Crowley, former US Congressman and former Chair, House Democratic Caucus – Welcome and introductory remarks

5:03 p.m. The Honorable Rob Portman, US Senator and former US Trade Representative – Opening keynote and introductory remarks

5:11 p.m. Ambassador Susan Schwab, former US Trade Representative – WTO Director General’s pioneering role

5:23 p.m. Dr. Val Okaru-Bisant – How is the WTO reform system working to encourage members to use the “third way” (under TRIPS agreement) to exercise flexibilities and expand manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines in developing nations and beyond?

5:35 p.m. Frank Samolis – WTO 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in November 2021: What will constitute a successful ministerial?

5:47 p.m. The Honorable Joe Crowley – Closing keynote remarks: Summarizes the main idea and theme of meeting and/or next measures

5:58 p.m. Frank Samolis and Dr. Val Okaru-Bisant – Refreshments and short comments, short questions on matters raised during the fireside chat with Dr. Ngozi; and if time permits, address questions collected in advance from the audience

See here for biographies of our esteemed speakers.

Submit Discussion Questions in Advance

We invite you to submit short questions or comments based on the aforementioned themes for Dr. Okonjo-Iweala in advance of the event by contacting Erin Cavalier by 5 p.m. EDT on Thursday, October 14. If time permits, we will hear some short comments and answer questions during the fireside chat. Please keep comments as short as possible and be mutually respectful.

Please register to receive the virtual joining instructions and event related communications.

Distinguished Guest

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Speakers

Senator Rob Portman

Joe Crowley

Event Contact

Frank R. Samolis Washington DC

Fireside Chat With Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization “WTO DG Pioneer, Reform and Progress: ‘The Third Way’ and MC12 Talks”

Related Professionals

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