World Trade Organization
Recent News About World Trade Organization
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Urgency stressed in WTO’s efforts against harmful fisheries subsidies
On the eve of World Oceans Day, the urgency of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) work on fisheries subsidies has been highlighted. In a video message, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated, “Every year, governments around the world spend tens of billions of dollars in support of unsustainable fishing. About half of assessed marine fish stocks are already overfished, and these subsidies make the problem worse. In 2022, the WTO's 164 member governments reached a new global agreement on curbing harmful fishing subsidies. Over 75 members have ratified this agreement, and...
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WTO reports increased impact from technical assistance activities
Over 16,000 beneficiaries participated in over 300 technical assistance activities in 2023, marking a 32 percent increase in participation and a 24 percent rise in activities compared to 2022. Although the number of participants has not yet fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, participants from least-developed countries (LDCs) increased by 40 percent compared to 2022. Requests for national activities soared by 60 percent following record lows during the 2020-22 period.
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Uzbekistan progresses towards wto membership amid significant economic reforms
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his leadership and commitment to Uzbekistan's World Trade Organization (WTO) accession, which has significantly accelerated the negotiating process. Meetings were also held with Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, Chair of the Inter-Agency Commission on WTO Accession, and Advisor to the President on Economic Development Ravshan Gulyamov. They discussed Uzbekistan's progress following the latest Working Party meeting on May 24.
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Uzbekistan discusses economic reforms amid ongoing efforts for WTO accession
Her Excellency, Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva, His Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, His Excellency, Mr. Ravshan Gulyamov, and Excellency Mr. Sodik Safoev, First Deputy Chairman of the Senate, gathered with representatives from the IMF and the World Bank to discuss Uzbekistan’s economic reforms and its accession process to the WTO.
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Conference discusses Azerbaijan’s renewed efforts towards WTO membership
On June 6, 2024, a conference was held in Baku to discuss Azerbaijan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The event was hosted by Professor Adalat Jalal Muradov, Rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Economics. Attendees included representatives from the Government of Azerbaijan, the private sector, academia, and Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy, Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the WTO and Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of Azerbaijan.
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DG Okonjo-Iweala discusses WTO accession with Azerbaijani President Aliyev
In the final leg of her regional visit, which included stops in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to discuss the impact of WTO accession. The discussions focused on how the accession process could help Azerbaijan leverage its growth potential, particularly in green energy, the digital economy, and logistical infrastructure connecting Europe and Asia.
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Central Asia forum discusses economic integration via WTO membership
The Second Central Asia Trade Policy Forum convened in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, eight years after its inaugural session. Representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan gathered to discuss challenges in WTO accession negotiations and shared experiences in domestic coordination processes. Key topics included trade facilitation's potential impact on regional trade flows through the Middle Corridor and utilizing trade policy to achieve climate goals.
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Benin hosts steering committee meeting on WTO-FIFA cotton partnership initiative
Representatives from various international organizations convened in Benin for the multi-agency Steering Committee meeting of the WTO-FIFA “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative. The participants included members from the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), Cotton made in Africa (CMIA), FIFA, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Trade Centre (ITC), United Nations Industrial Development...
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WTO highlights inclusive trade's role in clean energy transition on Environment Day
On June 5, 2024, the World Trade Organization (WTO) emphasized the importance of inclusive trade policies in facilitating the transition to clean energy during an event commemorating World Environment Day. The event, titled "Supporting the Transition to Clean Energy," offered a preview of an upcoming WTO publication that explores how Aid for Trade can unlock opportunities in the clean energy sector for developing and least developed countries (LDCs). This publication will be officially launched at the Global Review of Aid for Trade 2024.
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WTO announces Central Asia trade policy forum and regional visit
The World Trade Organization (WTO) announced that Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala met with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and addressed the second Central Asia Trade Policy Forum in Almaty. The forum, organized by the WTO in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and the International Trade Centre, marks the first leg of her visit to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.
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WHO-WIPO-WTO webinar opens registration for discussion on IP rights in healthcare
Registration has opened for the 5th WHO-WIPO-WTO Trilateral Cooperation Technical Webinar, scheduled to take place on June 20, 2024. The event will run from 1:30 pm to 3:15 pm (Geneva time) and will be hosted virtually by WIPO in English. Interested participants can register online until June 19 at noon (Geneva time).
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EU challenges Colombian duties on frozen fries at WTO
The European Union has initiated compliance proceedings over Colombian duties on frozen fries, alleging that Colombia's methodologies for calculating dumping are flawed and inconsistent with the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Anti-Dumping Agreement. The EU made this request for consultations under Article 21.5 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU).
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WTO invites applications for Young Trade Leaders Programme
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced the launch of its Young Trade Leaders Programme and is now inviting applications. The initiative aims to identify exceptional young individuals who possess a clear understanding of how trade can benefit both people and the planet. These selected "Young Trade Leaders" will contribute new perspectives and ideas about the role of trade and the WTO, while also gaining insights into the organization's work.
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Deadline set for proposal submissions for WTO's 2024 Public Forum
The deadline for submitting proposals for the 2024 Public Forum is set for June 14, 2024. All sessions at the forum are organized by civil society, academia, businesses, governments, parliamentarians, and intergovernmental organizations. Participants interested in organizing sessions can find further details in an information note provided by the organizers. The online application form is accessible from this note and must be completed no later than June 14, 2024 (23:59 CET).
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WTO chief emphasizes Central Asia's potential at Almaty trade policy forum
At the Second Central Asia Trade Policy Forum, organized by the WTO in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala delivered a keynote address. The forum, themed “Economic integration through WTO accession and membership,” highlighted the region’s potential for economic integration, foreign investment attraction, and growth through WTO membership.
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Kazakhstan hosts second Central Asia Trade Policy Forum focusing on WTO integration
His Excellency Minister Arman Shakkaliyev, the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, along with Her Excellency Ambassador Zhanar Aitzhan, addressed representatives from Central Asia and Azerbaijan at the Second Central Asia Trade Policy Forum held in Almaty. The forum serves as a platform for discussing issues related to the World Trade Organization (WTO) from a regional perspective.
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WTO holds first formal meeting on dispute settlement reform
WTO members held their first formal meeting on dispute settlement reform on May 30, 2024. This follows commitments made at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June 2022 and reaffirmed at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) earlier this year. Members agreed to address challenges within the dispute settlement system, including issues related to the Appellate Body, aiming for a fully functional system by 2024.
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Regional workshop explores sustainable access to health technologies
The three-day intensive program focused on practical ideas for designing trade policies that support innovation and access to health technologies, including through intellectual property. The workshop was developed in close collaboration with the Secretariats of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and organized with the support of Morocco's Ministry of Industry and Trade.
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Goods Council announces 2024 chairpersons for subsidiary bodies
Members of the Goods Council have agreed on the chairpersons for its subsidiary bodies for 2024. The appointments are as follows:
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Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Initiative outlines post-MC13 work plan
At a recent meeting following the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), participants of the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) initiative advanced their work plan for the year. Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, coordinator of the FFSR initiative, emphasized the direction set by MC13: “The MC13 Ministerial Statement and its associated work programme has set out a clear direction for the work of the initiative under its three pillars and related action steps,” she stated. “This will be the focus of our work this year.”