WTO update

07 Dec 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

WTO monitoring shows export restrictions persist even as trade-facilitating trend continues

WTO monitoring shows that between mid-October 2022 and mid-October 2023, the value of world merchandise trade covered by new trade-facilitating measures far exceeded that affected by new trade restrictive measures, an encouraging trend at a time of uncertainty and tension in the global economy. Nevertheless, the WTO Director-General’s annual overview of developments in the international trading environment, presented on 7 December at a meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body, indicates that trade restrictions continue to weigh on global trade, with persistent export restrictions contributing to food price volatility.

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NEWS ITEM

Report explores opportunities and challenges for developing economies from digital trade

A new joint report launched on 7 December looks into opportunities and challenges for developing economies arising from digital trade. “Digital Trade for Development” is a joint publication by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. The report explores specific policy issues, including the WTO’s moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, regulation of cross-border data flows, competition policies and consumer protection.

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NEWS ITEM

Trade Policy Review: Hong Kong, China

The ninth review of the trade policies and practices of Hong Kong, China takes place on 6 and 8 December 2023. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Hong Kong, China.

TPR documents ⟶




NEWS ITEM

WTO, IICA to deepen cooperation on farm trade, food security in Latin America and Caribbean

The WTO and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai on 5 December that will deepen collaboration between the two multilateral organizations.

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NEWS ITEM

At “eWeek”, DDG Ellard emphasizes the importance of digital trade for development

Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard participated on 5 December in the high-level roundtable on unlocking digital trade for inclusive development as part of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) “eWeek” 2023. DDG Ellard discussed how digital trade can contribute to inclusive and sustainable development and how to strengthen the ability of developing and least developed countries (LDCs) to participate in digital trade.

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NEWS ITEM

Trade negotiations have key role in addressing food security, climate change: DDG Paugam

The WTO’s ongoing negotiations on agriculture have a key role to play in helping establish fairer and more equitable food markets which in turn would help reduce global hunger and malnutrition and support the fight against climate change, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie-Paugam said on 4 December. DDG Paugam spoke at a “Trading for Tomorrow” session on food security and climate change at the Food Systems Pavilion during the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. His remarks are below.
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NEWS ITEM

Fisheries subsidies chair opens final “Fish Week” of 2023 for crucial MC13 groundwork

The chair of the fisheries subsidies negotiations, Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland, on 4 December opened the final “Fish Week” of 2023 with the aim of advancing work towards an outcome by the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13). The chair presented draft language in an effort to bridge members’ views on key provisions, noting that members’ efforts this week will be crucial to achieve the goal of completing text-based work this month ahead of MC13.

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NEWS ITEM

DDG Paugam: Fight against climate change can also bring trade opportunities for LDCs

The effort to combat climate change is also an opportunity for least developed countries (LDCs) to leverage their advantages and benefit from trade opportunities offered by green specialization, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam said on 3 December. Speaking at a Trade House event at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, DDG Paugam noted that many LDCs enjoy significant potential in renewable energies, low-emission agricultural production and alternatives to fossil fuel-based products. But seizing these opportunities requires a strengthened WTO, he said. His remarks are below.

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NEWS ITEM

Members agree on draft MC13 decision on small economies' integration into trading system

WTO members agreed on 1 December 2023 on a draft decision to be submitted to trade ministers for approval at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February 2024 to help further the integration of small economies into the world trading system. Adopted at a meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development's Dedicated Session on Small Economies, it is the first draft decision for MC13 where consensus has been forged.

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E-commerce co-convenors set out roadmap for concluding negotiations in early 2024

At the final round of e-commerce negotiations for 2023, taking place from 27 to 30 November, the co-convenors of the talks — Australia, Japan and Singapore — drew up a roadmap for negotiations for the remainder of the year and the first quarter of 2024. Participants “parked” the negotiating text on privacy, bringing the total number of “parked” articles to 13. The co-convenors said the initiative has achieved “substantial conclusion” on several global digital trade rules that will facilitate electronic transactions and foster an open and trusted digital economy.

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