Forty-one World Trade Organization (WTO) members states issued a joint statement expressing their concern 'about increased trade tensions and related risks for the multilateral trading system and world trade'. The statement encouraged WTO members to refrain from adopting protectionism measures and called on members to resolve their differences through the multilateral system. Signatories also noted the difficulties in concluding negotiations due to divergent positions on trade and development and emphasised the importance of filling all vacancies on the WTO Appellate Body without delay. The statement was issued on the occasion of an informal meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC), followed by the organisation's General Council meeting.