World Trade Organization
Recent News About World Trade Organization
-
Training highlights link between trade policies and gender equality
The recent training course aimed at enhancing skills and sharing experiences among officials focused on the interplay between trade and gender equality. Participants gained insights into how trade impacts men and women differently, as well as how gender-responsive trade policies can promote women's economic growth and poverty reduction.
-
WTO-FIFA initiative aims to boost African cotton industries
The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) have taken significant steps to advance the "Partenariat pour le Coton," an initiative unveiled on February 25 by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This initiative is designed to enhance the partnership between the two organizations and support African countries in participating more fully in cotton value chains. The launch follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the WTO and FIFA in 2022.
-
WTO explores digital solutions for enhancing global trade efficiency
WTO members recently convened to discuss how digitalization can be leveraged to facilitate trade. The meeting focused on three main areas: using data and technology to simplify trade, promoting the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) through digital advancements, and the digitalization of border procedures. Ten delegations, including China, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Japan, Pakistan, Peru, the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Togo shared their experiences.
-
Committee finalizes recommendations for food security program targeting vulnerable countries
The Committee has successfully implemented the instructions from ministers at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) by adopting recommendations to address food security needs for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Net Food-Importing Developing Countries (NFIDCs). The Chair emphasized that this marks a significant achievement.
-
WTO begins training course for officials from least developed countries
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has commenced an introductory course aimed at government officials from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Geneva. The course is designed to enhance participants' understanding of the functioning, structure, and fundamental principles of the multilateral trading system. It focuses on specific WTO agreements and provisions related to LDCs, as well as the connection between WTO activities and trade policy issues specific to these countries.
-
Chair calls for fresh thinking after inconclusive agriculture talks at MC13
WTO members expressed disappointment at the lack of a conclusive outcome from agriculture negotiations during MC13. However, progress was acknowledged by the Chair, who emphasized that discarding past efforts would not be beneficial.
-
WTO opens applications for advanced course on trade analysis
Applications are now open for the WTO Advanced Course on Analyzing Trade in Services. This course is designed to help participants become familiar with analytical tools such as the I-TIP services interface, the Services Trade Policy Database, and the World Bank-WTO Services Trade Restrictions Index. These tools are crucial for establishing national frameworks to analyze services trade policies and formulate negotiating strategies.
-
WTO celebrates three decades since Marrakesh Agreement's inception
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Marrakesh Agreement with a video message. She highlighted the significance of the agreement, which was established by over 120 countries with the aim to transform global trade.
-
Plastics Dialogue plans new strategies with global support
Several coordinators of the Plastics Dialogue, including Barbados, Ecuador, and Morocco, emphasized the significance of the MC13 Ministerial Statement in advancing the Dialogue's development. They highlighted that the post-MC13 work plan aims to implement this statement and achieve further results by MC14. The coordinators also welcomed three new co-sponsors: Argentina, Mongolia, and North Macedonia.
-
WTO explores enhancements for information technology agreement amid rising global trade
China has introduced a new proposal, identified as G/IT/W/58, aimed at enhancing the functionality and relevance of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). The proposal suggests hosting regular symposiums or workshops for industry representatives and stakeholders to share developments in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. It also includes publishing annual statistics on ICT trade, improving information sharing on ITA implementation, and strengthening cooperation on non-tariff barriers.
-
WTO discusses boosting developing economies' role in global trading system
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat has released a report detailing the recovery of developing economies in merchandise and commercial services trade following the pandemic-related decline. Despite this recovery, challenges persist, such as reliance on commodity exports and elevated trade costs.
-
WTO launches e-learning series on digital trade for developing economies
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has launched a new e-Learning series titled "Trade in the Digital Era," aimed at providing developing economies with the knowledge needed to navigate digital trade. This initiative is part of the WTO's Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation's capacity-building programs, available through their e-Learning platform.
-
WTO launches Global Services Trade Data Hub with extensive datasets
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has launched a new Global Services Trade Data Hub, providing access to four distinct datasets. These datasets include information on digitally delivered services, trade in services by mode of supply, trade in commercial services, and the WTO-OECD Balanced Trade in Services dataset.
-
UK contributes GBP 673k for sustainable development in least developed countries
The United Kingdom has made a financial contribution of GBP 673,000 to the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Interim Facility. This amount is part of the first installment of CHF 1 million pledged by the UK at the 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi. The EIF Interim Facility is designed to bridge the gap between the end of Phase Two of the EIF and the establishment of a new multilateral support mechanism for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Discussions on this future mechanism are ongoing at a World Trade Organization (WTO) taskforce.
-
WTO forecasts global trade rebound but warns of potential risks
In its recent "Global Trade Outlook and Statistics" report, the World Trade Organization (WTO) predicts a recovery in global trade for 2024. The report suggests that easing inflationary pressures will help boost real incomes, particularly in advanced economies, thereby increasing the consumption of manufactured goods. This positive trend is already visible with improved indices of new export orders at the start of the year.
-
WTO reviews six regional trade agreements focusing on economic cooperation
The World Trade Organization (WTO) members recently reviewed six regional trade agreements during a committee meeting. The discussions covered various agreements involving ASEAN, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Pacific Island countries.
-
Türkiye initiates safeguard probe on ethyl acetate imports
Türkiye has informed the World Trade Organization's Committee on Safeguards of its initiation of a safeguard investigation into ethyl acetate, starting from April 6, 2024. The notification to the WTO was made on April 8, 2024.
-
WTO opens registration for public forum focusing on re-globalization
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has opened online registration for its 2024 Public Forum, which will focus on the theme of re-globalization and its potential to make trade more inclusive. The event will also delve into the roles of digitalization, services, and sustainability in achieving this inclusivity.
-
Australia and China resolve wine duties dispute through WTO
Australia and China have reached a mutually agreed solution in their dispute over wine duties. On March 29, both countries submitted a notification to the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body regarding dispute DS602, titled "China — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty Measures on Wine from Australia." This notification was shared with WTO members on April 3.
-
China challenges US tax credits for electric vehicles at WTO
China has initiated a dispute with the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning specific tax credits under the US Inflation Reduction Act. These credits are designed to encourage the production of electric vehicles and renewable energy projects. The request for consultations was shared with WTO members on March 28, 2024.