News from April 2024


Thomas-Greenfield discusses bilateral cooperation with South Korean Foreign Minister

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, held a meeting with Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.


U.S. envoy urges global attention on escalating Sudan crisis

A year has passed since a civil war erupted in Sudan, causing significant humanitarian distress.


U.S. raises alarm over Zaporizhzhia plant risks amid ongoing conflict

The United States has voiced concerns at a United Nations Security Council briefing regarding the safety of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), currently under Russian control.


Deb Haaland addresses UN forum on indigenous issues

Deb Haaland, Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior and a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, addressed the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.


U.S. increases aid to Sudan amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis

Just five years ago, Sudan was filled with hope after the ousting of dictator Omar al-Bashir, largely due to the efforts of Sudanese women who led the revolution.


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.


Thomas-Greenfield discusses global security issues with South Korean adviser

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, held a meeting with Republic of Korea National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin.


U.S.-ROK meeting addresses North Korean violations and trilateral cooperation

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, held a meeting with Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol.


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.


Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield meets with South Korean defense minister

Today, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, held a meeting with Shin Won-sik, the Republic of Korea's Minister of National Defense.


Cato Institute financial expert on Nigeria's detention of Binance employees: 'It’s likely many companies are becoming increasingly hesitant from doing business' in Nigeria

Nicholas Anthony, a policy analyst at the Cato Institute's Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, has expressed concern over the Nigerian government's approach towards the cryptocurrency industry. This includes the detention of two Binance employees, which Anthony believes could lead to an increasing hesitance among companies to conduct business in Nigeria. These comments were made in a commentary on the Cato Institute's website on April 11.


US condemns Iranian attack on Israel at UN Security Council meeting

The United States has strongly condemned Iran's recent attack on Israel, which involved over 300 munitions, including ballistic missiles and explosive unmanned aerial vehicles.



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.


US criticizes Russia's veto on renewing UN panel mandate

The United States has expressed its concerns over Russia's use of the veto to block the renewal of the 1718 Committee’s Panel of Experts mandate, a move that has sparked debate at the United Nations General Assembly.



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.