Pandemic could cause deepest economic recession ‘of our lifetimes’: WTO chief

FILE PHOTO: World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevedo addresses a press conference following a WTO general council meeting on December 10, 2019, at the intergovernmental organization’s headquarters in Geneva. – WTO announced the launch of “intensive” political negotiations to salvage the appellate branch of the body’s internal court, which is set to collapse under US opposition. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The COVID-19 pandemic could provoke the deepest recession in living memory, World Trade Organization chief Roberto Azevedo warned Wednesday.

“As we face what may well be the deepest economic recession or downturn of our lifetimes, we should aim to make the most of all potential drivers of sustainable growth to reverse this situation,” he told a virtual news conference in Geneva.

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