WTO Says Expects Russia To Help Overcome Existing Trading System Challenges

Despite the protectionist policies gaining ground on the international stage, the existing opportunities outweigh the risks, and Russia could play an important role in moving things forward, Alan Wolff, the deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), told Sputnik on Tuesday.

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th November, 2018) Despite the protectionist policies gaining ground on the international stage, the existing opportunities outweigh the risks, and Russia could play an important role in moving things forward, Alan Wolff, the deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"While there is a lot of stress in the system right now I think the opportunities outweigh the risks and that we can make progress, and we will. And I look forward to Russia, the government of the Russian Federation, being a major contributor," Wolff said on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum.

The deputy secretary-general praised Russia as a good partner to the organization.

The first Paris Peace Forum, created by French President Emmanuel Macron, brings together world leaders, international organizations, think tanks and nonprofits to discuss security, terrorism, climate, green energy, global governance, and other pressing issues of the 21st century.