Director-General Okonjo-Iweala said: “I warmly welcome Ecuador's formal acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. As one of the largest tuna exporters in the world and the proud steward of the Galapagos islands, Ecuador stands to gain …
The meeting brought together key stakeholders working for the operationalization of the Fish Fund in support of developing and least-developed country (LDC) members' implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. "Last time we gathered in …
The panels brought together key negotiators of the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), representatives from current GPA parties and external stakeholders, who highlighted the key role the Agreement plays in broadening international market access for …
DDG Hill noted that current supply chain shifts are driven by risk management, cost factors and emerging technologies. Recent crises — including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions and extreme weather — have exposed vulnerabilities in traditional …
Members shared their national experiences in creating a regulatory environment for digital trade and noted the need to continue to take stock of experiences in the form of dedicated discussions and workshops. Members also noted the need for the WTO to use …
The process will be led by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, the Chair of the General Council, in accordance with the WTO’s “Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General” (WT/L/509). Ambassador Ølberg issued a statement on 4 October, indicating …
Following the addition of these five universities, the programme's network will comprise a total of 40 Chairs. This expansion is anticipated to strengthen the impact of regional and global initiatives within the network and to promote deeper …
Held on African soil for the first time, this year’s World Cotton Day showcased Benin’s economic successes under the leadership of President Guillaume Athanase Talon, said Director-General Okonjo-Iweala. She praised Benin for its strong economic …
DDG Ellard noted that trade policies can help lower clean energy costs, decarbonize supply chains, harmonize standards, redirect subsidies toward sustainability, and create new economic opportunities in emerging low-carbon markets, ultimately fostering …
DDG Ellard acknowledged the crucial role that parliaments play as the key link between international institutions and the public. She emphasized that parliamentary engagement on WTO issues is essential for ensuring that the Organization's work is …
Follow-up to outcomes of ministerial conferences At the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) held in February 2024, ministers stressed that services generate more than two-thirds of global economic output and account for over half of all jobs. They also …
The Director-General highlighted a marked increase in environment-related measures, noting that 8,661 environment-related notifications have been submitted to various WTO committees since 1997. She acknowledged the importance of robust environmental …
DDG Ellard began by discussing the WTO's main functions: negotiations, trade monitoring, and dispute settlement. She also highlighted the importance of the technical assistance provided to developing members and least-developed country (LDC) members. …
In her opening remarks, WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill said: “WTO rules facilitate equitable access to health-related products and services: starting with research and development, continuing through production, and culminating in last mile …
Through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions and practical exercises, the training covers the main WTO agreements, with an emphasis on development issues, including the implementation of WTO decisions to help LDCs increase their trade activity. …
Complementing the regular work of the CTE, the Trade and Environment Week fosters discussions around trade-related environmental issues between the WTO and trade and environment stakeholders, providing an opportunity for WTO members to meet with business …
Launched in February 2024 following the WTO-FIFA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2022, the “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative brings together public and private sector partners to support the C4+ countries in advancing along the cotton …
Speaking at the opening of the conference in the presence of the IIFT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rakesh Mohan Joshi, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang stressed the importance of the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) network in fortifying the …
Samad Bashirli, Deputy Minister of Economy and newly appointed WTO Chief Negotiator, led the high-level delegation of the Government of Azerbaijan to Geneva for the Working Party meeting. This took place 14 months after the previous meeting in July 2023, …
In her opening remarks, Ms. Tyesha Turner, Chairperson of the Committee on Import Licensing, emphasized the importance of transparency within the multilateral trading system. She noted that import licensing has been on the global trade agenda since the …
