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.
In a video message at the opening session, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang highlighted the course's role in strengthening the multilateral trading system and addressing topical issues such as fisheries subsidies. "To date, we have received 73 ratifications, of which 11 come from the Asia-Pacific members. I thank and congratulate those 11 members who have ratified the Agreement and urge those who have not yet done so to fast-track their instruments of acceptance," said Zhang.
Yong Han, Director General of the Department of WTO Affairs at China's Ministry of Commerce, encouraged participants to enhance their knowledge of WTO issues to increase their effectiveness in daily work. He emphasized China's contributions to WTO capacity-building programs and its commitment to stimulating economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ming Qi, Chairman of the SUIBE Council, praised the long-standing partnership between Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE) and the WTO, extending to initiatives like the WTO Chairs Programme.
The course aims to improve participants' autonomy in working on WTO issues by enhancing their ability to access and use WTO information resources and legal texts. It places particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific trade policy context and its links to WTO agreements.
Participants include representatives from various countries: Cambodia’s Pheara Thoem and Molika Mey; China’s Yijing Sun and Kun Wang; Fiji’s Sherwin Sheenha Kumar and Lusiana Marilyn Mulo; Indonesia’s Yuliawati Cahyaningrum and Andhika Juliansyah; Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s Choummaly Phetdouangchai; Malaysia’s Nor Hazirah Kan Hussin Kan; Maldives’ Aishath Shahudha Abdulla; Mongolia’s Zolzaya Chonos Dorjtsoo; Myanmar’s Khin Hsu Hlaing and Khine Myat Myat Khine; Nepal’s Kabita Gautam and Kamal Bahadur Basnet; Pakistan’s Ansari Humaira and Muhammad Rohail Nazir Hafiz; Papua New Guinea’s Dehamenda Kolaip Amanda Sanga and Suzzanne Ningiga; Philippines’ Marietta Brito Trimpe and Pocholo Luis S. Tolentino; Samoa's Lydia Bernadette Hazelman; Sri Lanka's Dona Abegunawardana Seevali Wijewantha, Wijesekara Gamaarachchige Yasoji Neranjana Gunawardana.