WTO update

09 Jun 2023
Latest news

Dear maria CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS,
Below are the news items published today on the WTO public website which match with your news preferences.



NEWS ITEM

Working group on food security intensifies discussions, eyes first report in July

At a meeting of the WTO’s working group on food security on 8 June, members continued their dedicated discussions on supporting least-developed countries (LDCs) and net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs) in addressing key challenges for food security, including financing difficulties and enhancing food production and productivity. The coordinator of the working group, Marcel Vernooij of the Netherlands, expressed his intention to release a report in July summarizing the positive progress in working group discussions with the aim of encouraging further work.

News item ⟶




NEWS ITEM

Data Blog, by the WTO Secretariat

Global imports of seaborne wheat maintain upward trend

Blog


NEWS ITEM

On World Oceans Day, DG Okonjo-Iweala welcomes EU acceptance of fishing subsidies agreement

The European Union this week deposited its instrument of acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, marking a major development towards the Agreement’s entry into force. The EU’s instrument of acceptance was presented to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Paris on the side lines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell of Sweden, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU; European Commission Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis; and European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius.

News item ⟶




NEWS ITEM

Australia donates AUD 2 million to WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism

The government of Australia is providing AUD 2 million (approximately CHF 1.2 million) to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism to assist developing members and least-developed country members in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing, presented the contribution to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 7 June, at the informal WTO ministerial meeting held on the side lines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris, France.

Press release ⟶


NEWS ITEM

DG Okonjo-Iweala: E-commerce has emerged as major force in global economic output, trade

The WTO and the international community have a collective responsibility to help members harness the full potential of the digital economy for economic growth, job creation and trade diversification, said Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at a workshop held at the WTO on 1-2 June on e-commerce. At the event, WTO members heard from international organisations on their work on various e-commerce topics and on programmes aimed at helping developing economies benefit from digital trade.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Private sector shares views on trading goods in digital era, post-pandemic changes

Private sector representatives from various regions of the world took stock at a webinar on 1 June of how trade in goods has evolved in the digital era, with a view to sharing with policymakers the impact of their work and leveraging the full potential of the digital revolution. At the event organized by the Market Access Division of the WTO and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), participants shed light on what has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing examples of good practices and the way forward.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Trade Policy Review: European Union

The fifteenth review of the trade policies and practices of the European Union takes place on 5 and 7 June 2023. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the European Union.


TPR documents ⟶