On 14 February 2012 Norway’s permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO), ambassador Elin Østebø Johansen was elected Chair of the General Council for a period of one year. The General Council is the highest-level decision-making body of the WTO. Previously, Norwegian ambassadors Kåre Bryn and Eirik Glenne have held the same position (in 2000-2001 and 2006-2007 respectively).
The coming year will present considerable challenges to the WTO with the Doha negotiations at an impasse and as significant concerns remain regarding the state of the global economy and world trade.