The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced the selection of its second cohort for the Young Trade Leaders Programme, initiated in 2024. This initiative aims to engage young individuals with the WTO's work and promote understanding of its role in international trade.
The programme offers participants the chance to bring innovative ideas about trade and the WTO while learning about the organization's operations. "The Young Trade Leaders are invited to bring fresh ideas about the role of trade and the WTO, while also having the opportunity to learn about the organization's work and advance its mission."
From over 1,200 applications globally, seven candidates were chosen based on their backgrounds, experience, and application strength. The selected individuals are Atyia Al-Hammud from Ukraine, Paola Flores Carvajal from Bolivia, Serena Indij da Costa from Brazil, Karo Harutyunyan from Armenia, Olexa Heshima from Rwanda, Alexandra Kaiss from the United States, and Aarushi Shrivastav from India.
Participants will benefit from training courses organized by the WTO, receive advice and mentoring from the WTO Secretariat, and gain support for organizing related activities in their countries. They will also travel to Geneva for the 2025 WTO Public Forum in September to attend workshops and participate actively in forum activities.