Established in 2010, the WTO Chairs Programme aims to create a network of institutions that collaborate with the WTO and policymakers on trade-related research, curriculum development, and policy outreach. The programme currently includes 35 universities, with a call for applications from underrepresented regions open until June 30.
Two sessions will be held as part of the Global Review of Aid for Trade 2024. One session will address evolving trade priorities for least-developed countries (LDCs), while another will focus on LDCs' participation in digital trade.
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is scheduled to meet with participating WTO Chairholders on June 25 to discuss their role in supporting trade negotiations and harmonizing work done in Geneva and regional economies.
Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang opened the conference, expressing gratitude to the programme's donors—France, Austria, the Republic of Korea, and Australia. He remarked: “Throughout the year, we saw the Chairs come together on numerous occasions. Whether it was the Asian Chairs collaborating on the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, the African Chairs addressing digital trade issues, or the Latin American and Caribbean Chairs discussing WTO reform, one common thread tied all these efforts together: a genuine commitment to making the trading system more inclusive and functional. I must say the Chairs have done a remarkable job.”
France's Permanent Representative to the WTO, Ambassador Etienne Oudot de Dainville, emphasized: “The widely diverse Chairs Network is extremely important to complement the work of experts in Geneva and in WTO members in developing trade-related knowledge within developing economies. The exchanges you will have throughout the conference will be essential in feeding into political reflection both in Geneva and your economies.”
Ambassador Seong Deok Yun from South Korea highlighted: “The Chairs are indispensable partners in advancing the WTO’s aim to help developing economies further their development prospects through trade. The immeasurable value they add and the transformative impact they bring reinforce our collective commitment to helping developing economies drive economic growth in their countries.”
Australia's Permanent Representative to the WTO, Ambassador James Victor Baxter, stated: “The Chairs Programme has proved to be useful and practical, establishing itself as a powerful tool in developing academic and research communities, especially in countries where development is a priority. Governments in this institution will be relying on you more closely as we work collectively to address upcoming trade and economic challenges. The very rich curriculum of this conference is a testament of the network's vitality.”
Wilma Viviers, WTO Chairholder in South Africa, outlined her team's achievements through the programme, particularly expanding export opportunities across Africa. She noted that they have been able to extend their research scope and form close partnerships with policymakers through the Programme.
More information on the Chairs Programme is available here.
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