We are delighted to introduce our new Ambassador of Sweden to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Deputy Head of Mission in Geneva, Mikael Anzén. Since the beginning of September, he has assumed the role of representing Swedish interests in the multilateral trade system. Amidst the winds of change in international trade and its governance, Mikael shares some of his impressions and aspirations.
Hi Mikael! First of all – a warm welcome to the Mission here in Geneva. About three months in as the new Swedish Ambassador to the WTO, you have probably started to find your feet. What are your impressions so far?
Very good thanks! Geneva is one of the world hubs for international organizations and dialogue between states. Whether it is in the WTO, WIPO, UNHCR, ICRC or in the UN, countries and stakeholders need arenas talk to each other on important subjects. Geneva is an extremely vibrant, busy and interesting place, with a lot of information and tracks to follow.
Your previous engagements include working at the Swedish Mission to the EU in Brussels and representing Sweden at the Arctic Council. How is your new position different from your earlier experiences?
The biggest difference is the size and scale of things. When I worked with the Swedish Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, 2011-2013, we negotiated to set up a secretariat of eight (8!) people in Tromsø, Norway. In the WTO, with its 164 member states, there are about 600 people working in the secretariat and even more people counting all member states. In Brussels I don’t even know how many people are working in total, in different EU-institutions. But for me there is a specific charm working in a multilateral environment. Trying to navigate in the archipelago, seeking to find solutions to often complex problems. At the same time you always learn to know a lot of new and interesting colleagues.
Actually, you are returning to Geneva, having worked in WTO team about 10 years ago. In an era of rapidly increasing digitalization and globalization, how has the trade landscape and the atmosphere here in Geneva changed since back then? What is the role of Sweden and the EU to tackle the challenges ahead?
The difference between then and today is quite big. When I was in Geneva last time, until 2006, negotiations in the WTO were in full swing in all areas. It was very busy. As we all know the landscape doesn’t look the same today. WTO is a more mature organization, while there are at the same time new challenges to the multilateral trading system. The digitalization is in many aspects very positive for the development. But today I think there is a gap between the technological, political and regulatory view of this changing landscape. Coming from Sweden, a quite small and trade oriented country, there is an openness to change and to new technologies. Innovation is the core of Swedish entrepreneurship. Swedish companies, multinationals and small- and medium-sized enterprises are much export oriented. Therefore, a well-functioning WTO is a fundamental prerequisite.
Few have failed to notice the recent tensions in international trade, including the imminent threat of a trade war between large economies, the rise of protectionism and a general distrust in multilateral solutions. What is the role of the WTO, as the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade, to turn these worrying trends?
The WTO is our common hub for multilateral trade rules. The organization’s work must be built on and guided by mutual trust, transparency, predictability and to respect and follow rules. I don’t have any panacea to turn worrying trends, but I’m a strong believer in our daily work, working with colleagues to genuinely trying to solve challenges together.
Do you hope to achieve anything in particular in your future work?
Well, that list is of course very long and optimistic, but to start off with a small but important change I would like to see shorter interventions in the WTO. Maybe we shall consider putting a time limit, as in other international organizations?