Moore proud of WTO work

Former Prime Minister Mike Moore says he has achieved what he set out to do as World Trade Organisation director-general.

The former New Zealand prime minister, who steps down from his WTO position this month, says he has thrown everything he can into the job.

In his valedictory speech in Geneva, Mr Moore harked back to his departure from New Zealand three years ago.

"In my farewell speech to the New Zealand Parliament, in 1999, I described my new position at the WTO as continuing a life-long career in public service.

"I said I would travel to Geneva and give this job everything I have got. I have done that.

"I travelled here with an agenda.

"Yes, I was biased. I wanted to see a new round launched with development issues at the centre.

"I wanted to enlarge our membership. I wanted to reposition the WTO and advance multilateralism.

"As my term as director-general of the WTO nears its conclusion, as I clear my desk and take down the paintings of beautiful New Zealand landscapes from my office wall, I want to tell you that every day that I have been able to serve this institution has been a great personal honour and every day has been a privilege."

Mr Moore said the WTO failed at Seattle in 1999 because members were too far apart on key issues.

He said the new round of trade negotiations in Doha last year opened up enormous possibilities to advance the conditions of people throughout the world.

Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi of Thailand takes office at the WTO on September 1.

Transition arrangements are in hand and Mr Moore said he would do all he could to support his successor and the WTO.

Mr Moore offered a special word of thanks to the WTO interpreters.

"One ambassador recently expressed regret that I was leaving, saying she was just beginning to understand my English.

"No one in New Zealand understood me either.

"The interpreters had to struggle with a fourth official language - Enzed."

- NZPA