World Trade Organization
Recent News About World Trade Organization
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WTO launches WEIDE fund for women exporters with $5 million UAE donation
DG Okonjo-Iweala announced the launch of the pilot phase for the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, marking a significant step towards gender equality in trade and economic opportunities. “It brings me great joy today to launch the pilot phase of applications for the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund. The WEIDE Fund represents a pivotal step forward in our collective journey towards gender equality in trade and economic opportunities,” she stated.
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International bodies call for more inclusion of persons with disabilities in global trade
With approximately 15% of the global population living with disabilities, and 80% of them in developing economies, there is a growing demand for international trade policies that address their specific challenges and opportunities.
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China initiates WTO dispute over Canadian surtax measures
China has initiated a dispute complaint against Canadian surtax measures, claiming they appear to be inconsistent with the most favoured nation principle enshrined in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and Canada's GATT schedule of customs duty concessions and commitments.
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WTO partners with World Bank on new Trade in Services for Development Initiative
The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Bank launched the "Trade in Services for Development Initiative" at a Public Forum on September 11, 2024. The event featured prominent figures including WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Indermit Gill, Chief Economist and Vice President of the World Bank, WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill, Professor Richard Baldwin from the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Sumanta Chaudhuri from the Confederation of Indian Industry.
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WTO Public Forum 2024 highlights inclusive growth through enhanced global cooperation
The 2024 World Trade Report, titled “Trade and Inclusiveness: Making Trade Work for All,” was launched at the WTO Public Forum 2024. The report underscores the shared goal of WTO members to ensure that trade benefits more economies and people.
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Ireland allocates EUR 720K for developing economies' participation in global trade
Ireland has allocated EUR 720,000 to assist developing economies in enhancing their participation in the global trading system. The program, co-funded by France and Ireland, allows government officials from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and small, vulnerable economies to undertake 10-month secondments at their respective missions in Geneva. This initiative involves engaging in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) activities in Geneva, representing their economies at WTO meetings, and attending workshops and training events organized by the WTO. This year, 18 officials...
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WTO mourns Peruvian Ambassador Ana Cecilia Gervasi
DG Okonjo-Iweala expressed her heartfelt condolences: “We are profoundly saddened by the loss of Ambassador Ana Cecilia Gervasi whose tireless work on my recent trip to Peru, 5-6 May 2024, made it such a success. Her hard work and dedication to the principles of multilateralism and fair trade have left an indelible mark on the WTO and its mission. Ambassador Gervasi's contribution to global trade policy will be remembered for years to come. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, colleagues, President Dina Boluarte, and the Government of Peru during this difficult time.”
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DG Okonjo-Iweala meets young trade leaders ahead of public forum
The eight Young Trade Leaders, representing six continents, expressed their enthusiasm for being selected for the initiative. They emphasized their goal to promote a modern and inclusive agenda that addresses the needs of today's youth. The Director-General encouraged the Young Trade Leaders to be bold and creative, urging them to introduce fresh and innovative ideas to the World Trade Organization (WTO). She also highlighted the importance of understanding trade as a tool for sustainable and inclusive development.
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WTO's World Trade Report highlights inclusiveness through global economic integration
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has released its 2024 World Trade Report, emphasizing the transformative role of trade in reducing poverty and fostering shared prosperity. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted this point in her foreword, stating, “Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the report is its reaffirmation of trade's transformative role in reducing poverty and creating shared prosperity — contrary to the currently fashionable notion that trade, and institutions like the WTO, have not been good for poverty or for poor countries, and are creating a more...
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Indonesia initiates safeguard probe into polyethylene imports
Indonesia has initiated a safeguard investigation on polyethylene, according to a notification released on September 9, 2024. The Indonesian Safeguards Committee (Komite Pengamanan Perdagangan Indonesia - KPPI) will be handling the investigation.
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WTO official urges new strategies linking trade with environmental sustainability
In a recent address in Geneva, Deputy Director-General (DDG) Paugam of the World Trade Organization (WTO) emphasized the need for innovative approaches to integrate trade and environmental policies. Speaking at a forum dedicated to this topic, he highlighted the transformative impact of sustainable economic policies on global trade dynamics.
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Goods Trade Barometer signals upturn in global merchandise trade
The Goods Trade Barometer, a composite leading indicator for global trade, has risen above trend, indicating an upturn in merchandise trade volume. The barometer's latest reading of 103.0 suggests that trade volume growth will remain positive in the second and third quarters of 2024 once official statistics are released.
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Public Forum 2024 to discuss re-globalization through trade
The 2024 Public Forum will explore how re-globalization through trade can lead to a better world. It will focus on how green policies, services, and digitalization can contribute to this objective.
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Timor-Leste becomes World Trade Organization's newest member
Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay of Timor-Leste handed to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the instrument of acceptance of its Protocol of Accession at a meeting of the General Council on July 22, 2024.
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Ireland donates EUR 200,000 to support global food safety through STDF
Ireland has contributed EUR 200,000 to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to bolster global food safety and trade initiatives. This contribution brings Ireland's total donations to over EUR 2.9 million since 2007.
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WTO opens applications for course on services aspects of e-commerce
Applications are now open for a World Trade Organization (WTO) course focusing on the services aspects of e-commerce. The course aims to familiarize participants with the connections between e-commerce, services trade, and the disciplines outlined in the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services. It will place particular emphasis on specific service sectors and include discussions on the moratorium on e-commerce and other related topics within the WTO framework.
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Comoros becomes World Trade Organization’s newest member
The 30-day countdown to Comoros's WTO membership was activated when Ambassador Sultan Chouzour handed Comoros's instrument of acceptance of the Protocol of Accession to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at a meeting of the General Council on July 22, 2024.
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WTO announces last chance to register for 2024 Public Forum
The 2024 Public Forum, themed “Re-globalization: Better Trade for a Better World,” will be held in person at the WTO headquarters in Geneva. The event requires all participants to complete an online registration form.
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China files WTO complaint over EU subsidy duties on electric vehicles
China has initiated a dispute complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the European Union's subsidy duties on electric vehicles. According to China, the measures appear inconsistent with Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and various provisions of the WTO's Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.
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WTO announces first cohort of Young Trade Leaders
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced the first cohort of its Young Trade Leaders Programme, established to engage young people with the organization's work and promote a better understanding of its role in supporting international trade.