Latest News
WTO explores strategies against global illicit trade
By Globe Banner | Jun 17, 2024
Illicit trade harms societies and impedes economic growth and development. It undermines legitimate business activity, fosters corruption, and denies governments potential tax revenue needed to invest in society. This is why the WTO Secretariat, under the leadership of Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been examining how WTO rules help members address some of the challenges posed by such trade.
Advanced SPS Course follow-up session concludes in Geneva
By Globe Banner | Jun 14, 2024
The follow-up session of the Advanced SPS Course concluded in Geneva on June 14, 2024. The event featured presentations where participants shared their action plan objectives, achievements, and lessons learned from implementation. Group discussions led by WTO SPS experts and coaches addressed mitigating implementation challenges, the role of the WTO SPS Committee, specific trade concerns, and SPS disputes. These activities allowed participants to reflect on strategies to maintain positive results and strengthen their understanding of the SPS Agreement and related transparency...
WIPO-WTO executive program concludes first edition focusing on intellectual property issues
By Globe Banner | Jun 14, 2024
Participants were welcomed by WIPO Deputy Director General Lisa Jorgenson and WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill. Both underscored the importance of capacity-building initiatives jointly supported by both organizations.
Montenegro accepts WTO fisheries subsidies agreement
By Globe Banner | Jun 14, 2024
Montenegro has formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, marking a significant step towards sustainable fishing practices. Director-General Okonjo-Iweala commented, “I am delighted that Montenegro has formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Montenegro's embrace of this agreement signals its dedication to aligning its fishing practices with sustainability objectives. This decisive step emphasizes the importance of collective action in safeguarding our oceans for generations to come and shows Montenegro's commitment to the multilateral trading...
Working Party Chair meets Somalian president to discuss WTO accession
By Globe Banner | Jun 14, 2024
The roundtable on the economic dimensions of peacebuilding was organized by the Federal Government of Somalia and Interpeace, an international organization focused on preventing violence and building lasting peace.
DPP outlines post-MC13 strategy focusing on plastics pollution
By Globe Banner | Jun 13, 2024
Several coordinators of the Dialogue — Australia, China, Ecuador, and Morocco — welcomed Mongolia and Mozambique as new members of the DPP, nearing the milestone of reaching half of the WTO membership. Praising the strong engagement of members, they said the Dialogue is moving to a new phase and will focus its work on specific items to achieve concrete outcomes.
Government Procurement Committee addresses gender issues; reviews Albania's accession progress
By Globe Banner | Jun 12, 2024
Gender and Albania’s accession take centre stage at Government Procurement Committee
WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala welcomes President Assoumani of Comoros
By Globe Banner | Jun 12, 2024
President Assoumani and Director-General Okonjo-Iweala agreed that capacity-building support from the WTO and development partners, such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the UN Trade and Development Agency (UNCTAD), is key to ensuring a successful post-accession strategy. They stated that the upcoming WTO Global Review of Aid for Trade on June 26-28 presents a good opportunity to engage with these and other institutional partners in preparing Comoros for WTO membership.
WTO conducts trade policy review for Iceland
By Globe Banner | Jun 12, 2024
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has released documents related to the Trade Policy Review of Iceland, conducted on June 12, 2024. The available documents include a Secretariat report and a Government report.
Deadline for proposals for 2024 Public Forum extended to June 21
By Globe Banner | Jun 12, 2024
The deadline for submitting proposals for the 2024 Public Forum has been extended to June 21, 2024. All sessions at the Public Forum are organized by civil society, academia, business, governments, parliamentarians, and intergovernmental organizations.
Evaluation praises work of Standards Trade Development Facility
By Globe Banner | Jun 12, 2024
The evaluation, conducted by Project Economics Consulting, states: “Stakeholders, overall, are highly satisfied with the progress and performance of the STDF.” The initiative is contributing to increased SPS capacity across developing countries and its work largely aligns with its partners and other major SPS and safe trade initiatives, the evaluation highlights.
Committee discusses aligning Harmonized System with environmental goals
By Globe Banner | Jun 11, 2024
The Committee on Market Access convened its first thematic session on greening the Harmonized System (HS) on June 11, 2024. The session built upon the World Customs Organization (WCO) report published in April 2023, which summarized outcomes from a series of symposia held between October 2022 and January 2023. These events aimed to identify potential changes to the HS to better support environmental policy needs in future editions, with participation from WCO members and various stakeholders.
WTO emphasizes importance of unified approach for steel decarbonization
By Globe Banner | Jun 11, 2024
Thank you, Edwin, for the kind words of welcome.
DDG Ellard addresses retirees' contributions and updates on WTO developments
By Globe Banner | Jun 11, 2024
DDG Ellard expressed gratitude to retirees for their contributions during a General Assembly meeting at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Addressing both online and in-person participants, she stated, "I want to thank you because everything that you did at the WTO over the years has been the foundation for the work that we do now."
Webinar explores how digital tech can revolutionize global customs operations
By Globe Banner | Jun 10, 2024
A recent webinar highlighted the increasing adoption of technologies such as electronic data interchange, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics by customs authorities. Suja Rishikesh Mavroidis, Director of the WTO's Market Access Division, moderated the event and stressed the importance of understanding the practical applications of these technologies to assess their effectiveness.
WTO celebrates 30th anniversary with open day events
By Globe Banner | Jun 9, 2024
The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently opened its doors to the public as part of activities commemorating its 30th anniversary. The sixth edition of the Open Day provided visitors with an opportunity to learn about the WTO's work, explore its historic building, and participate in various activities on the lakeside terrace and inside the organization's headquarters.
WTO enhances e-GPA Gateway for better access to government procurement data
By Globe Banner | Jun 7, 2024
The revamped e-GPA Gateway provides enhanced access to information on the commitments and procurement systems of WTO members that are parties to the GPA 2012. The market access opportunities available under the GPA 2012 are estimated to be worth more than USD 1.7 trillion annually.
WTO concludes advanced course on analyzing trade in services
By Globe Banner | Jun 7, 2024
The World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded its advanced course on analyzing trade in services in Geneva. Participants were trained to use data, statistics, and regulatory information from the WTO-World Bank Integrated Trade Intelligence Portal (I-TIP) for Services. The portal provides comprehensive information on services trade policies. Hands-on exercises helped participants enhance their ability to analyze and utilize results drawn from these analytical tools and statistical databases.
WTO reviews progress in reducing technical barriers to trade
By Globe Banner | Jun 7, 2024
The new chairperson of the TBT Committee, Daniela García (Ecuador), has assumed her role from outgoing chairperson Anna Vitie (Finland). García highlighted a new WTO brochure that underscores 10 key outcomes from the TBT Committee's work in 2023. Members expressed appreciation for Vitie's tenure, during which significant decisions on conformity assessment and transparency were made, including the Ministerial Declaration on Strengthening Regulatory Cooperation to Reduce Technical Barriers to Trade.
Urgency stressed in WTO’s efforts against harmful fisheries subsidies
By Globe Banner | Jun 7, 2024
On the eve of World Oceans Day, the urgency of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) work on fisheries subsidies has been highlighted. In a video message, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated, “Every year, governments around the world spend tens of billions of dollars in support of unsustainable fishing. About half of assessed marine fish stocks are already overfished, and these subsidies make the problem worse. In 2022, the WTO's 164 member governments reached a new global agreement on curbing harmful fishing subsidies. Over 75 members have ratified this agreement, and...