Legislators play a key role in the multilateral trading system by reviewing and adopting World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements and overseeing trade commitments. The WTO has launched a new online resource hub to make information such as WTO news, agreements, trade statistics, and training opportunities more accessible to parliamentarians.
The resource hub is designed to support lawmakers in their work related to the WTO by highlighting issues directly relevant to them. This includes updates on the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and the current status of trade negotiations.
The Fisheries Subsidies Agreement demonstrates the significant involvement of parliaments. The agreement became effective once two-thirds of WTO members had submitted their acceptance, showing the important role legislators play in incorporating such agreements into the WTO’s legal framework. The protocol remains open for acceptance by members who have not yet ratified it, making ongoing engagement by parliamentarians necessary.
The hub also offers information on training and capacity-building for legislators, including workshops and e-learning activities. It points to opportunities for engagement in events like the WTO Public Forum, where parliamentarians can participate in discussions on the future of trade.
Lawmakers and their staff are encouraged to visit the new resource hub and contact the WTO Secretariat at parliamentarians@wto.org for further information.
The resource hub for parliamentarians is available online.