WTO update

 

27 Jul 2022 Latest news

Dear maria CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS, Below are the news items published today on the WTO public website

NEWS ITEM In a world of polycrisis, Aid for Trade Global Review focuses on recovery, resilience In a world buffeted by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, food insecurity and climate change, the 2022 Aid for Trade Global Review opened on 27 July at the WTO with a focus on how Aid for Trade can help developing and least developed countries recover from multiple crises and build resilience to ensure long-term sustainable development. News item   ⟶

NEWS ITEM WTO members show restraint in trade-restrictive measures despite economic uncertainty The Director-General’s mid-year report on trade-related developments covering mid-October 2021 to mid-May 2022 shows WTO members continued to exercise restraint in imposing trade restrictions. The report, presented to members on 27 July at a Trade Policy Review Body meeting, looks at the use of trade measures at a time when the world faces severe challenges and economic uncertainty. Speaking at the launch of the report, DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said it is important not to underestimate the risks generated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the war in Ukraine. News item   ⟶

NEWS ITEM DDG Paugam calls on WTO Chairs Programme to contribute fresh ideas to food security debate Food security has increasingly taken centre stage at the WTO as members have explored next steps in agriculture reforms, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam told a session of the Annual Conference of the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) on 25 July. He highlighted the importance of outcomes at the 12th Ministerial Conference regarding the WTO’s response to food insecurity and noted the potential for WCP members to contribute creative thinking that could help policy-makers improve their understanding of the issue and revitalize agriculture negotiations. News item   ⟶   NEWS ITEM DDG Ellard urges prompt acceptance of Fisheries Subsidies Agreement Addressing a session of the Annual Conference of the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) on 25 July, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard highlighted the significance of the WTO reaching a deal on curbing harmful fisheries subsidies at the 12th Ministerial Conference, making it the first multilateral agreement with environmental sustainability at its core. She asked Chairs of the WCP to urge policy-makers in their respective regions to expedite acceptance of the Agreement so that it can enter into force quickly, allowing members to extend negotiations to disciplining subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing. News item   ⟶