The United States Vice-President Kamala Harris and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, have revealed their commitments to working together in order to advance international trade, promote equity and economic growth, improve living standards, labour rights, human rights, and the well-being of working families.

The two women leaders revealed that they had a phoneconversations, during which the decision was made.

The US Vice on Thursday spoke over phone with WTO’s DG during which they discussed the need for reforms within the WTO to maximize its effectiveness for the future.

Harris on her twitter handle wrote: "l spoke with WTO Director General Dr Okonjo-Iweala. We agreed to advancing international trade for recovery and equitable economic growth. We discussed human rights, investing in the environment, health, and technology to spur development and prosperity for the American people."

Replying to the tweet, Okonjo-Iweala tweeted: “Thank you Madam Vice President Kamala Harris @VP for a great conversation on the way forward on @WTO reform. Your encouragement and wise counsel is much appreciated.”

It was also gathered that during the call, Harris congratulated the director general and offered her strong support as the global community works toward recovery from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They committed to work together to address the economic and health consequences of COVID-19 and climate change, and to prioritize resilience in the global supply chain.

"The Vice President and the director general agreed on the importance of using trade to promote equity and economic growth. They discussed how improved living standards, labour rights, human rights, and the well-being of working families must be at the center of our shared priorities to use trade as a lever to lift communities out of poverty," the White House said in a readout of the call.

"They also discussed the need for reforms within the World Trade Organization to maximize its effectiveness for the future.

“The vice president highlighted the priority of the United States to invest in health and technology as engines for growth and to advance sustainable development," Business Standard reported.

Harris and Okonjo-Iweala committed to work closely together to accelerate momentum in the global economy for the benefit of all.

Okonjo-Iweala had earlier held discussions on WTO reforms with Ambassador Lopes Parola of Brazil, who represents the Mission of Brazil to the World Trade Organisation and other international economic organisations in Geneva; George Mina, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the World Trade Organisation, WIPO, and UNCTAD; as well as Yamazaki Kazuyuki of Japan, who is also his country’s Permanent Mission of Japan to international organisations in Geneva.