World Trade Organization
Recent News About World Trade Organization
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WTO discusses early start selection process Director-General
Members discussed the request from the African Group of members regarding the appointment of the Director-General (WT/GC/W/948). The African Group requests that the current Director-General make herself available to serve a second term and has proposed that the process of reappointing the Director-General should be started as soon as possible. The current term of DG Okonjo-Iweala finishes at the end of August 2025. She is eligible for a second four-year term.
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Comoros and Timor-Leste join World Trade Organization
WTO members officially approved the accessions of Comoros and Timor-Leste, both least-developed countries (LDCs), during a special ceremony at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi on February 26.
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Benin and Sierra Leone accept fisheries subsidies agreement
Benin and Sierra Leone have formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, increasing the total number of World Trade Organization (WTO) members to 80. This milestone was announced by Director-General Okonjo-Iweala, who emphasized the significance of this support from least-developed members in promoting ocean sustainability and combating illegal fishing.
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Madagascar begins safeguard probe into certain edible vegetable oils
Madagascar has initiated a safeguard investigation into certain types of edible vegetable oils. The announcement, issued on July 18, 2024, outlines that interested parties must notify the ANMCC, the investigating authority, within 30 days from the investigation's commencement.
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Iraq resumes WTO accession talks after sixteen-year hiatus
Mr. Atheer Dawood Salman Al Ghrairi, Iraq's Minister of Trade, led a high-level delegation from Baghdad at the third meeting of the Working Party. Ambassador Saqr Almoqbel of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who chaired the Working Party for the first time since his appointment last year, welcomed Iraq's return to Geneva after many years, highlighting the significance of the formal resumption of Iraq's accession process. “The Minister's presence here, the first since 2008, sends a clear signal that Iraq's accession process is now back on track,” he remarked. The Working Party...
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WTO updates progress on dispute settlement reform efforts
Ambassador Dwarka-Canabady addressed a Heads of Delegation meeting, the third since the formal dispute settlement reform process began earlier this year. "We know what we need to do," she stated. "We know we have to accelerate work. We need to find the best way of doing that to keep the process inclusive."
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WTO releases documents for China's trade policy review
The following documents are available regarding the Trade Policy Review of China:
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WTO committee discusses developing economies' participation in trade
The Chair of the Committee on Trade and Development updated members on efforts to streamline discussions through consultations, informal thematic sessions, and more focused meeting agendas. Members expressed appreciation for these initiatives.
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World Trade Congress on Gender extends call for papers deadline
The deadline for paper submissions to the World Trade Congress on Gender 2025 has been extended. Following its successful inaugural edition in December 2022, this international research conference will examine how innovation can drive women's empowerment and its implications for trade policies. The event aims to provide a platform for researchers and policymakers to discuss and gain insights into enhancing gender equality through innovation, the impact of new technologies on women's access to trade opportunities, and ways trade policies can foster such innovation.
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WTO Director-General urges genuine negotiation among members
The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has urged members to transition from discussion to action in their negotiations. Speaking at a Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) meeting, she acknowledged that while progress had stalled on key issues, there was recognition of the need to restart negotiations following a heads of delegation retreat on July 8.
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WTO emphasizes role of climate-smart connectivity in global supply chains
In a recent address, Deputy Director-General Ellard of the World Trade Organization (WTO) emphasized the critical role of climate-smart connectivity and digital trade in enhancing regional and global integration, as well as sustainable development. The speech highlighted how connectivity serves as the cornerstone of effective supply chains in today's global economy, particularly in light of disruptions such as COVID-19, geopolitical tensions, and environmental challenges.
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Digitalization in trade facilitation highlighted at WTO meeting
Five members — China, Colombia, Ecuador, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and the Republic of Moldova — shared their experiences of using digitalization to facilitate trade at a recent trade facilitation meeting. Their presentations aligned with the committee's 2024 focus on this topic.
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WTO explores ways to boost least developed countries' capacity in services trade
WTO members recently convened to explore strategies for enhancing the capacity of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to participate in services trade. Speakers emphasized that LDCs face significant challenges, including infrastructure issues, skills development, regulatory environments, and limited technological capacity. The necessity of international cooperation was highlighted, with several speakers advocating for an Aid for Trade roadmap to address these constraints.
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WTO conducts trade policy review for Jamaica
The following documents are available:
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Ellard urges swift action on fisheries subsidies at FAO meeting
At a recent meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard emphasized the urgent need to complete critical work on fisheries subsidies. "The sustainability of fisheries is a growing emergency for nations worldwide as the deterioration of fish stocks accelerates unabated. Many millions of people worldwide depend on marine fishing for income, food security, and livelihood. Sustainable management of our ocean resources is therefore essential for our future," DDG Ellard stated.
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WTO discusses TRIPS review amid new WIPO treaty adoption
The Chair, Ambassador Sofía Boza of Chile, reported on her consultations regarding the forthcoming review of the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement and responses from delegations to her written questions. She emphasized the need for a member-driven, flexible approach. Delegations highlighted the necessity for clarity, predictability, and compromise in the upcoming review process.
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Delegates address urgent need for sustainable fisheries management
On July 10, 2024, delegates gathered for the 36th Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries to discuss pressing issues related to global fisheries and agriculture. The session underscored the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly between the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in addressing these challenges.
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WTO Deputy Director-General advocates leveraging organization as insurance policy for green steel investors
On July 10, 2024, Deputy Director-General Paugam addressed an audience in Jiangyin, emphasizing the critical role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in supporting investments in steel decarbonization. "The World Trade Organisation can and must be leveraged as an insurance policy for your investment decisions in steel decarbonisation," he stated.
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Chair provides takeaways from WTO decision-making retreat
The retreat, held outside of WTO headquarters in Geneva at the Heads of Delegation level, involved 122 member participants with the objective of engaging in candid forward-looking discussions.
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WTO reports mixed trends in global trade amid protectionist pressures
Commenting on the findings, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “This Trade Monitoring Update underscores the resilience of world trade despite the challenging geopolitical environment. Even in a context of rising protectionist pressures and signs of economic fragmentation, there are governments around the world still taking meaningful steps to liberalize and facilitate trade. This attests to the benefits of trade for people's purchasing power, business competitiveness, and price stability.