World Trade Organization
Recent News About World Trade Organization
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Evaluation praises work of Standards Trade Development Facility
The evaluation, conducted by Project Economics Consulting, states: “Stakeholders, overall, are highly satisfied with the progress and performance of the STDF.” The initiative is contributing to increased SPS capacity across developing countries and its work largely aligns with its partners and other major SPS and safe trade initiatives, the evaluation highlights.
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Committee discusses aligning Harmonized System with environmental goals
The Committee on Market Access convened its first thematic session on greening the Harmonized System (HS) on June 11, 2024. The session built upon the World Customs Organization (WCO) report published in April 2023, which summarized outcomes from a series of symposia held between October 2022 and January 2023. These events aimed to identify potential changes to the HS to better support environmental policy needs in future editions, with participation from WCO members and various stakeholders.
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WTO emphasizes importance of unified approach for steel decarbonization
Thank you, Edwin, for the kind words of welcome.
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DDG Ellard addresses retirees' contributions and updates on WTO developments
DDG Ellard expressed gratitude to retirees for their contributions during a General Assembly meeting at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Addressing both online and in-person participants, she stated, "I want to thank you because everything that you did at the WTO over the years has been the foundation for the work that we do now."
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Webinar explores how digital tech can revolutionize global customs operations
A recent webinar highlighted the increasing adoption of technologies such as electronic data interchange, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics by customs authorities. Suja Rishikesh Mavroidis, Director of the WTO's Market Access Division, moderated the event and stressed the importance of understanding the practical applications of these technologies to assess their effectiveness.
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WTO celebrates 30th anniversary with open day events
The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently opened its doors to the public as part of activities commemorating its 30th anniversary. The sixth edition of the Open Day provided visitors with an opportunity to learn about the WTO's work, explore its historic building, and participate in various activities on the lakeside terrace and inside the organization's headquarters.
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WTO enhances e-GPA Gateway for better access to government procurement data
The revamped e-GPA Gateway provides enhanced access to information on the commitments and procurement systems of WTO members that are parties to the GPA 2012. The market access opportunities available under the GPA 2012 are estimated to be worth more than USD 1.7 trillion annually.
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WTO concludes advanced course on analyzing trade in services
The World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded its advanced course on analyzing trade in services in Geneva. Participants were trained to use data, statistics, and regulatory information from the WTO-World Bank Integrated Trade Intelligence Portal (I-TIP) for Services. The portal provides comprehensive information on services trade policies. Hands-on exercises helped participants enhance their ability to analyze and utilize results drawn from these analytical tools and statistical databases.
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WTO reviews progress in reducing technical barriers to trade
The new chairperson of the TBT Committee, Daniela García (Ecuador), has assumed her role from outgoing chairperson Anna Vitie (Finland). García highlighted a new WTO brochure that underscores 10 key outcomes from the TBT Committee's work in 2023. Members expressed appreciation for Vitie's tenure, during which significant decisions on conformity assessment and transparency were made, including the Ministerial Declaration on Strengthening Regulatory Cooperation to Reduce Technical Barriers to Trade.
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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).