World Trade Organization
Recent News About World Trade Organization
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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.”
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WTO publication addresses strategies against illicit food trade
A new World Trade Organization (WTO) publication titled “Illicit Trade in Food and Food Fraud” has brought together contributions from experts across international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the WTO Secretariat. The publication highlights the detrimental impact of illicit food trade on food security and public health and outlines various strategies to counter these issues. A comprehensive response is deemed necessary, involving regulatory measures, enforcement, industry cooperation, and consumer education.
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Call for papers open for World Trade Congress on Gender 2025
The call for research papers on innovation is now open for the World Trade Congress on Gender 2025, scheduled to focus on how women's empowerment drives innovation and how trade can support this process. The Congress, the only international research conference on trade and gender, aims to provide researchers and policymakers with a platform for in-depth discussions and insights into the role of innovation in enhancing gender equality, the impact of new technologies on women's access to trade opportunities, and how trade policies can foster innovation for women's empowerment.
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Uzbekistan advances towards WTO membership with accelerated negotiations
Mr. Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and Chair of the Inter-Agency Commission on WTO Accession, led a delegation to Geneva as part of the country's ongoing efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). The delegation included Mr. Azizbek Urunov, Special Representative of the President on WTO issues and Chief Negotiator for WTO accession; Mr. Ahadbek Khaydarov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance; Mr. Alisher Karimov, Deputy Minister of Justice; and Mr. Akmaljon Kosimov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture. Officials from various ministries and...
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New regulations on services trade take effect for four more WTO members
A total of 72 economies — comprising 70 WTO members and two acceding members (Timor-Leste and Comoros) — are committed to implementing the new disciplines on services trade regulation. Ecuador is the latest WTO member to have confirmed its commitment, requesting to become a participant in the Declaration on the Conclusion of Negotiations on Services Domestic Regulation.
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EU, Australia commit to implementing recent WTO rulings
The European Union has affirmed its intention to implement the panel ruling in DS600, a case concerning measures related to palm oil and oil palm crop-based biofuels. The ruling was formally adopted by the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on April 26. The EU stated it would require a reasonable period of time for implementation and expressed a willingness to discuss this timeline with Malaysia promptly.
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WTO members discuss farm policies amid rising global food insecurity
On May 24, 2024, WTO members convened to review farm policies and discuss food security and technology transfer. The Chair of the Committee, Mr. Kjetil Tysdal of Norway, facilitated the discussions.
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First WTO workshop focuses on improving customs valuation notifications
The first World Trade Organization (WTO) workshop on customs valuation notifications concluded in Geneva on May 24, 2024. Under WTO rules, members are required to notify developments in national laws and regulations on customs valuation and a checklist of issues regarding their legislation. They must also notify the implementation of the Decision on Interest Charges and the Decision on the Valuation of Carrier Media Bearing Software.
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Qatar joins international agreement to curb harmful fisheries subsidies
On May 22, 2024, Qatar formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This move was acknowledged by Director-General Okonjo-Iweala, who stated, “I am delighted that Qatar has formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. By taking this step, Qatar has shown its support for sustainable fisheries and combatting illegal fishing in the Gulf region. Qatar also has affirmed the WTO's vital role in delivering global public goods — in this case contributing to marine sustainability by curbing subsidies to harmful fishing practices. The swift entry into force of the...
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Asia-Pacific officials attend regional trade policy course in Shanghai
A regional trade policy course is currently underway in Shanghai, bringing together government officials from the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative aims to deepen participants' understanding of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its agreements, rules, and procedures.
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WTO discusses strategies post-MC13 focusing on key trade negotiations
Speaking in her role as Chair of the WTO's Trade Negotiations Committee, DG Okonjo-Iweala reported that consultations held with members since the last General Council meeting in March demonstrated a “constructive spirit,” with all parties “eager to complete the unfinished business from Abu Dhabi.”
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WTO members discuss transparency improvements in import licensing regimes
Mr. Tharnpanich urged all delegations to utilize the Portal for their notifications relating to the Import Licensing Agreement. He emphasized that all notifications submitted via the Portal are incorporated into a database, enhancing transparency and simplifying the process for future notifications.