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Dear maria CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS,
Below are the news items published today on the WTO public website which match with your news preferences.
NEWS ITEM
Global goods trade on track for gradual recovery despite lingering downside risks
Global goods trade is projected to post a 2.7% increase in 2024, up slightly from the previous estimate of 2.6%, WTO economists said in an updated forecast on 10 October. The volume of world merchandise trade is likely to increase by 3.0% in 2025; however, rising geopolitical tensions and increased economic policy uncertainty continue to pose substantial downside risks to the forecast. Services trade has a more favourable outlook compared to goods according to leading indicators.
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NEWS ITEM
DG Okonjo-Iweala welcomes “meeting of minds” on moving farm trade talks forward
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed the outcome of a dedicated discussion on advancing the WTO talks on agriculture at a meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) on 10 October. Noting that this was the first time the TNC has been convened to focus on a specific issue, she said the discussions demonstrated the strong commitment by members to making a breakthrough in the talks by launching a TNC-endorsed process in the Committee on Agriculture in special session, the WTO's dedicated forum for agricultural negotiations.
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NEWS ITEM
Ecuador formally accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
Ecuador deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 9 October. Ambassador José Valencia presented Ecuador's instrument of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
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NEWS ITEM
Trade Policy Review: Malawi
The fourth review of the trade policies and practices of Malawi takes place on 9 and 11 October 2024. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Malawi.
TPR documents ⟶
NEWS ITEM
WTO Fish Fund Steering Committee meeting focuses on preparing for full operations
The third Steering Committee meeting of the WTO Fish Fund took place on 9 October, focusing on its strategy, budget and staffing, with discussions aimed at ensuring the Fund’s full operational readiness by the time the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies enters into force.
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DDG Ellard urges swift action on fisheries subsidies to aid Pacific sustainability goals
In introductory remarks delivered on 8 October at the session “Towards a Trade and Environment Sustainability Agenda for the Pacific” during Trade and Environment Week at the WTO, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard urged WTO members to formally accept the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and conclude negotiations on additional provisions to support the Pacific region’s sustainability goals. The session was organized by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme. The text of her remarks is below.
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NEWS ITEM
US gives USD 600,000 to strengthen trade expertise in developing economies and LDCs
The United States is contributing USD 600,000 (approximately CHF 505,000) in 2024 to the WTO’s Global Trust Fund to finance training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of government officials from developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs). Since 2002, the United States has donated over CHF 29 million to the Global Trust Fund and the Standards and Trade Development Facility.
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WTO initiates selection process for next Director-General
On 8 October 2024, the WTO formally commenced the process for appointing its next Director-General.
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WTO Chairs Programme expands academic network to under-represented regions
The WTO has expanded the WTO Chairs Programme to include five new academic institutions located in previously under-represented regions. The WTO members concerned are the Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Qatar, Togo and Vanuatu. The objective is to improve diversity and inclusivity in the programme, with the aim of fostering further research on trade issues in developing and least-developed WTO members and observers.
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WTO members discuss legal and regulatory issues under work programme on e-commerce
WTO members discussed legal and regulatory frameworks for e-commerce on 7 October as part of the work aimed at presenting recommendations for action at the next Ministerial Conference on the Work Programme on E-commerce, in line with the 13th Ministerial Conference decision.
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