WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION's update

24 Jan 2024
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

Portugal donates EUR 50,000 to WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism

Portugal is contributing EUR 50,000 (about CHF 48,000) to assist developing members and least— developed country (LDC) members in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Ambassador Rui Macieira presented the contribution to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 24 January.
Press release ⟶



NEWS ITEM
Agriculture negotiations enter final straight as MC13 approaches

At the first of this year’s agriculture negotiations meetings on 16-17 January, Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Türkiye, the Chair of the talks, urged delegates to focus “more specifically and concretely” on potential outcomes at the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), which is due to be held in Abu Dhabi from 26 to 29 February. Participants also discussed new or revised submissions on export restrictions on food; agricultural production and trade in net food importing developing countries (NFIDCs) and least developed countries (LDCs); and domestic support to the agricultural sector.
News item ⟶

WTO update

 

18 Jan 2024 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 Germany gives EUR 1.95 million to boost safe food trade The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is donating EUR 1.95 million (approximately CHF 1.85 million) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to enhance developing countries’ compliance with international food safety, animal and plant health standards for trade. The contribution reflects Germany’s commitment to strengthening global food systems, protecting resources, improving livelihoods and boosting economic development. Press release   ⟶   NEWS ITEM Surge in wheat shipments bypassing Suez Canal, WTO Wheat Dash board finds An increasing number of shipping vessels has been rerouted in the past two weeks to avoid the Suez Canal amid heightened security risks, causing a nearly 40% year-on-year drop in shipments of wheat through the Canal, to around 0.5 million metric tonnes, according to the WTO Wheat Dashboard. News item   ⟶   NEWS ITEM DDG Hill emphasizes importance of services trade and e-commerce at seminar on the WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill discussed the future of services trade and e-commerce on 16 January at a seminar on “WTO Structure and Governance” organized by the Washington International Trade Association. Former Deputy United States Trade Representative Robert Holleyman and Singapore’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO Darryl Leong also participated in the event. News item   ⟶

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION's update

 

21 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 Fisheries subsidies chair circulates new text in “final push” to reach agreement at MC13 The chair of the fisheries subsidies negotiations, Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland, on 21 December circulated a new draft text on curbing subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing in order to help members push the negotiations over the finish line at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in late February 2024. The document draws on members’ proposals and deliberations, including those from the December “Fish Week” meetings, and is intended to help facilitate intensified negotiations in January. News item   ⟶

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION's update

15 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

MC13 Chair briefs members on ministerial preparations; members approve budget increase

At a 13-15 December meeting of the WTO’s General Council, members heard from the Chair of the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), H.E. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, on preparations for MC13, which will take place in Abu Dhabi in February 2024. Members also approved a budget increase for the WTO Secretariat for the 2024/2025 biennium following 12 years of zero nominal growth.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Digital trade is key to boosting growth in developing economies

The transformative effects of digital trade on developing economies are explored in a report just published by the WTO in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Bank. “Digital Trade for Development” also emphasizes the pivotal role of international cooperation in helping developing economies seize the opportunities of digital trade and tackle the related challenges.

Blog ⟶


NEWS ITEM

New WTO information note reveals changing pattern in Africa’s trade in intermediate goods

The WTO on 15 December released an information note on Africa’s trade in intermediate goods (IGs), providing a snapshot of the region’s growing participation in supply chains. The latest data covering 2010 to 2021 indicates an expansion in Africa’s exports and imports of intermediate goods while also pointing to a high concentration of exports to a few economies and a comparatively narrow range of products. The note also reveals a relatively small share of intra-African transactions.


News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

WTO members congratulate Bhutan on graduating from LDC status

At a meeting of the Sub-Committee on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) on 13 December, WTO members welcomed Bhutan’s commitment to revitalizing its negotiations on joining the WTO and congratulated the country on its graduation from LDC status. The Secretariat of the United Nations Committee for Development Policy updated WTO members on the LDC graduation process and the support measures available to graduating LDCs.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

The Gambia, UK formally accept Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; UK pledges to the Fund

The Gambia and the United Kingdom deposited their instruments of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 13 December, advancing the tally of formal acceptances to the halfway mark required for entry into force. Seyaka Sonko, Minister of Interior of the Gambia, and Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State (Development and Africa) of the UK presented the instruments of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The UK also announced its pledge to donate up to GBP 1 million (approximately CHF 1.11 million) to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

WTO, IFC co-publication highlights need to boost trade finance in Mekong region

Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and International Finance Corporation Managing Director Makhtar Diop launched at the WTO on 13 December a co-publication titled “Trade Finance in the Mekong Region” to underline how an expansion in trade finance could further increase the region’s participation in world trade. Presenting survey results from banks in the Mekong-3 countries — Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam — the publication reveals the challenges faced by businesses in accessing credit and proposes strategies for improving local producers’ access to finance and integration into global supply chains.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

WTO members discuss proposals on work programme on e-commerce

In their last dedicated discussion of the year on the Work Programme on E-commerce on 8 December, WTO members discussed text proposals for a ministerial decision to be considered at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February 2024. The proposals address progress under the Work Programme, the moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions and the development dimension of e-commerce.

News item ⟶

Chair cites “clear desire” of ministers to deliver outcomes at MC13

Senior trade officials attending a virtual “mini-ministerial” on 11 December have expressed a “clear desire” to advance work on development issues as well as on e-commerce, with the aim of achieving concrete outcomes at the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) next February in Abu Dhabi. This was the conclusion of Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of State for Foreign Trade and MC13 Chair, at the end of the virtual gathering.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

DDG Paugam: WTO rules help to combat illegal food trade

Speaking at a virtual agriculture symposium titled “Illicit Trade in Food and Food Fraud” on 11 December, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam emphasized that the WTO rulebook brings a legal framework to international food trade, helping to combat illicit trade. He said: “By definition, our DNA is legal trade. Strengthening the WTO is the first way to combat illicit trade.”

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Trade Policy Review: Chile

The sixth review of the trade policies and practices of Chile takes place on 11 and 13 December 2023. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Chile.

TPR documents ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Members call for further intensive work to deliver on fisheries subsidies by MC13

At the close of the final Fish Week of the year held on 4-8 December, WTO members affirmed their commitment to the fisheries subsidies negotiations and remained hopeful to successfully conclude the talks by the 13th Ministerial Conference in February despite not being in a position to do so by December. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland, the chair of the fisheries subsidies negotiations, lauded members’ constructive engagement on new disciplines on subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing.

News item ⟶

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

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION's update

02 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 Secretariat launches trade policy toolkit at COP28 to support action on climate goals

The WTO Secretariat on 2 December launched a 10-point set of “Trade Policy Tools for Climate Action” at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to present governments with a toolkit to draw from in their efforts to meet global climate targets. The new publication explores how integrating the trade policy options, such as reviewing import tariffs on low-carbon solutions, into national strategies can help economies mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to its consequences.

News item ⟶






NEWS ITEM

Heads of WTO, FAO sign agreement to boost cooperation on trade, food and climate change

The WTO and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) agreed on 1 December to boost cooperation and collaboration on a range of issues in the area of food and agricultural trade and climate change. The initiative comes at a time of growing crises affecting global food security and sustainable agriculture production.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

WTO members review farm policies, discuss food security, technology transfer

At a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture on 27-29 November, WTO members exchanged views on a range of issues under the committee’s work mandate, with the issue of food security once again a main focus of the discussions. Members also carried out their regular review of each other’s farm policies to ensure compliance with WTO disciplines.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Members discuss ways for developing economies to benefit more fully from global trade

WTO members discussed ways for developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) to benefit to a greater extent from their participation in the multilateral trading system during meetings of the Committee on Trade and Development held on 17 and 24 November. Dedicated sessions on regional trade agreements, preferential trade arrangements and the Monitoring Mechanism on Special and Differential Treatment were also held on 17 November.


News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Mini-ministerial on agriculture seeks political guidance for negotiators ahead of MC13

At a virtual mini-ministerial gathering on agriculture on 28 November, the United Arab Emirates’ Foreign Trade Minister, Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, urged ministers to provide political guidance to agriculture negotiators in the run-up to the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) scheduled for February 2024 in Abu Dhabi. This call was echoed by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. At the end of the meeting, Minister Al Zeyoudi thanked ministers for their full support and clear guidance and committed to issue a summary report under his own responsibility as Chair of the meeting.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Members consider seven regional trade agreements, discuss improvements to Committee’s work

WTO members considered five regional trade agreements (RTAs) between the United Kingdom and various trading partners, namely Central America, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and Mozambique, Moldova, Albania and Georgia at the 20, 21 and 27 November meetings of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA). They also considered two RTAs between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and two trading partners — Ecuador and Indonesia. In addition, they continued their discussions on improvements to the functioning of the CRTA and adopted the Committee’s annual report.

News item ⟶

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION's update

24 Nov 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

Liechtenstein donates CHF 40,000 to WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism

Liechtenstein is contributing CHF 40,000 to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism to assist developing members and least-developed members in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Ambassador Kurt Jäger presented the contribution to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 24 November.
Press release ⟶

23 Nov 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

EU donates EUR 1 million to WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism

The European Union is contributing EUR 1 million (about CHF 957,000) in a multi-year donation to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism to assist developing members and least-developed members in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Ambassador João Aguiar Machado presented the contribution to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 23 November.

Press release ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Committee on Market Access holds first thematic session on supply chain resilience

The Committee on Market Access held on 21 November the first of a series of thematic sessions on supply chain resilience. The objective of this introductory session, which included speakers from the WTO and other international organizations, was to improve understanding of what is meant by supply chain resilience so that members have a conceptual framework from which they can take up certain topics and develop them among themselves within the framework of the Committee.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Trade Policy Review: Albania

The third review of the trade policies and practices of Albania takes place on 22 and 24 November 2023. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Albania.

TPR documents ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Intermediate goods exports continue to fall in second quarter of 2023

World exports of intermediate goods (IGs) fell by 8% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2023 to US$ 2.3 trillion, continuing the slump recorded since last year amid stagnating commodity prices and a marked contraction in global consumer demand due to high inflation and interest rates. The decline affected all regions and most IG product categories.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

The United States extends its strategic partnership with the STDF until 2028

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed to a five-year agreement with the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), dispersing funds from 2023-2028. An initial contribution of USD 150,000 (approximately CHF 135,000) from the USDA will help developing countries meet international food safety, animal and plant health standards, and facilitate safe trade.

Press release ⟶

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION's update

03 Nov 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

DDG Zhang calls on LDCs to explore ways of boosting agriculture and services trade

Speaking at a workshop on least-developed countries (LDCs) and the multilateral trading system on 3 November at the WTO, Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang said: “We need to keep building on the progress made to support the greater integration of LDCs into global trade.” The event provided an opportunity for WTO members and trade experts to discuss the findings of a new study outlining the participation of LDCs in agriculture and services trade.

News item ⟶





NEWS ITEM

Exploring new pathways for LDC integration into global trade

International trade offers least-developed countries (LDCs) a tried-and-tested route towards sustainable economic growth and development. But what can be done to help LDCs expand their share of global trade?
Blog ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Working group on food security moves closer to finalizing report and recommendations

The working group on food security reviewed on 31 October a revised report of the coordinator, with the aim of reaching consensus on a final report and set of recommendations by end-November to help address the concerns of least-developed countries (LDCs) and net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs). The meeting was facilitated by Mr Kjetil Tysdal of Norway, the coordinator of the food security work programme, which is conducted under the Committee on Agriculture.
News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

WTO issues new edition of Trade Profiles

The WTO issued today (31 October) the 2023 edition of Trade Profiles, an annual publication providing key data on merchandise trade and trade in commercial services for 197 economies. Each two-page profile provides a breakdown of the economy’s major exports and imports and its main trading partners.
News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Transparency concerns highlighted during discussions at subsidies committee meeting

At a meeting of the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) on 27 October 2023, the Chair of the Committee, Mr James Lester (New Zealand), underlined that transparency regarding WTO members’ trade measures is fundamentally important for the work of the Committee. He emphasized that members’ poor compliance rate with notification requirements needs to be addressed and urged members to make best efforts to bring notifications up to date.

News item ⟶



NEWS ITEM

E-commerce co-convenors: “We must lock in the credible package that we have in our hands”

The co-convenors of e-commerce talks — Australia, Japan and Singapore — outlined to participants at the latest round of negotiations on 25-27 October the next steps towards concluding the talks by year-end. The package on the table “is a result of five years of hard work and even though it does not meet all our expectations, it is a substantive package that delivers benefits to consumers, businesses and members,” they said. The initiative welcomed The Gambia as the 90th member of the talks.

News item ⟶

WTO update

27 Oct 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

DDG Ellard: Africa shows admirable leadership in achieving development objectives

Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard discussed the role of African countries in advancing the multilateral trading system during the 24th U.S. — Africa Trade & Investment Conference/Expo that took place in Miami on 26 October. In particular, DDG Ellard highlighted the role of African WTO members in achieving outcomes at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) on fisheries subsidies, food security and easing access to COVID-19 vaccines as well as their active engagement in ongoing initiatives. The full text of her speech is below.

News item ⟶


NEWS ITEM

Committee reviews latest member notifications on anti-dumping actions, legislation

The WTO's Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices met on 26 October to review members' latest notifications of new, amended or previously reviewed anti-dumping laws and regulations as well as reports on anti-dumping actions.

News item ⟶

NEWS ITEM

Trade Policy Review: Southern African Customs Union

The fifth review of the trade policies and practices of the Southern African Customs Union takes place on 25 and 27 October 2023. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and reports by the Governments of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.

TPR documents ⟶


NEWS ITEM

Agriculture negotiators discuss new proposals submitted by WTO members

WTO agriculture negotiations were enriched by a new stream of members’ submissions on a variety of topics during meetings on 19-20 October. The Chair, Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Türkiye, thanked members for their active engagement and their ongoing efforts to narrow gaps.

News item ⟶


ΕΙΔΗΣΗ

Αύξηση των επίσημων αποδοχών της Συμφωνίας για τις Επιδοτήσεις Αλιείας — Πλησιέστερη έναρξη ισχύος

Επτά μέλη του ΠΟΕ κατέθεσαν τα έγγραφα αποδοχής της συμφωνίας για τις επιδοτήσεις της αλιείας στις 23 Οκτωβρίου, ωθώντας την πολυαναμενόμενη έναρξη ισχύος της ιστορικής συμφωνίας για τη βιωσιμότητα των ωκεανών πιο κοντά στην υλοποίηση. Υψηλόβαθμοι αξιωματούχοι της Αλβανίας, της Αυστραλίας, της Μποτσουάνα, της Κούβας, της Ακτής Ελεφαντοστού, της Δημοκρατίας της Κορέας και της Αγίας Λουκίας παρουσίασαν τα όργανα αποδοχής τους στον Γενικό Διευθυντή Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala σε μια τελετή στο πλαίσιο του διήμερου Senior Συνάντηση αξιωματούχων στα κεντρικά γραφεία του ΠΟΕ στη Γενεύη.

Ειδήσεις ⟶



NEWS ITEM

Fiji formally accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Fiji deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 24 October. Ambassador Luke Daunivalu presented Fiji’s instrument of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

News item ⟶

WTO update

 

20 Oct 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 Trade in wine and vine products on the rise The first edition of the Vine and Wine World Trade Forum, held earlier this month in Dijon, France, revealed that international trade in wine and vine products has grown significantly over the past two decades. Blog   ⟶

NEWS ITEM Germany gives EUR 500,000 to enhance developing economies’ trading skills The government of Germany is contributing EUR 500,000 (approximately CHF 480,000) to help developing and least-developed economies (LCDs) take a more active part in global trade negotiations. Germany's Alternate Permanent Representative to the WTO, Bettina Waldmann, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the German Government at the WTO on 19 October 2023. Press release   ⟶

NEWS ITEM Members address WTO reform and agree to hold thematic sessions on supply chain resilience