The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently hosted an event focusing on the role of youth in promoting "Trade for Peace" in fragile states. Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang emphasized the importance of young people in decision-making processes, stating, “The youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the change-makers of today.” He highlighted the WTO's Trade for Peace (T4P) Programme’s Future Leaders Initiative, which aims to empower youth as active agents of stability and prosperity.
A panel titled “Intergenerational Perspectives on Trade and Peace” featured notable figures such as Ambassador Alan Wolff from the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Afomia Andualem, CEO and Co-Founder of Agelgil Eco-Packaging in Ethiopia, Eric Andrew, a WTO Young Trade Leader and Founder of AgrofixiNG in Nigeria, and Maria Guterres, Vice-Coordinator of the Timorese Youth Initiative for Development. The panelists discussed the historical link between trade and peace and how young people can contribute to peace through trade.
During the event, videos were launched showcasing research findings from students at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland and experts on trade and peace. These videos originated from a project conducted with the University from September to December 2023. The presentations led to breakout discussions where participants considered practical steps to enhance youth involvement in connecting trade with peace.
Kérshia Cavele, Project Coordinator of the Trade for Peace Programme, concluded with a call to action urging policymakers to support youth-driven initiatives. She stated that this event highlighted youth as crucial players in addressing challenges faced by fragile states. By combining academic insights with real-world experiences, the “Trade for Peace: Future Leaders Initiative” seeks innovative solutions using multilateral trading systems as tools for peacebuilding.
The event was part of Geneva Peace Week 2024, gathering organizations from Geneva and international partners to share knowledge. At its opening ceremony, Milzat Salime from WTO's Trade for Peace team stressed youth's vital role in peacebuilding. WTO Deputy Director General Xiangchen Zhang participated in a high-level panel discussing peace, trade development, while Maika Oshikawa from WTO's Accessions Division opened a session on trade growth principles in conflict-affected settings.
The T4P Programme began under the g7+ WTO Accessions Group’s vision at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in 2017. It focuses on integrating fragile states into global trading systems through WTO membership to strengthen economic frameworks while promoting transparency and governance. Initially part of “Trade for Peace through WTO Accession,” it expanded into T4P Programme by 2021.
This initiative underscores trade and economic integration as key components fostering durable peace and stability in fragile regions by engaging youth awareness about their roles within these contexts.