Weekly Newsletter
World Trade Organization
The WTO's goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.
A round-up of WTO news and events
8 - 14 November
LATEST NEWS
New IRENA-WTO report highlights key trade policies for renewable hydrogen and derivatives
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the WTO Secretariat launched on 14 November at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku a new report which outlines key policy considerations for fostering trade in renewable hydrogen and its derivatives. The report highlights, in particular, their crucial role in helping economies achieve decarbonization goals by 2050.
Report shows surge in G20 trade-restrictive measures amid increased unilateral policies
Trade restrictive measures introduced by G20 economies significantly increased in coverage over the past year, according to the 31st WTO Trade Monitoring Report on G20 trade measures issued on 13 November. Although G20 economies also continued to introduce wide-ranging trade facilitating measures, the report points to increasing evidence of inward-looking and unilateral trade policy decisions. Warning that these measures are creating uncertainty for the world economy, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called on G20 governments to refrain from adopting new restrictions that could worsen the global economic outlook.
Committee celebrates 30 years of TBT Agreement, adopts future work programme
The Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee brought together over 300 trade officials, regulators, standard-setters and private sector representatives on 8 November to commemorate 30 years of the TBT Agreement. Addressing the event, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “It is you, this Committee, that keeps the Agreement dynamic. The work you do is fundamental to keep trade flowing, in good times and bad.”
General Council Chair to convene meeting on selection of next Director-General
Ambassador Petter ?lberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council, informed WTO members on 12 November that he will convene a special meeting of the General Council on 28-29 November to advance the process for selecting the next Director-General.
LATEST VIDEO
WTO at 30: LDCs and trade
Least-developed countries (LDCs) represent the most vulnerable members of the international community. Home to over 1 billion people, LDCs account for only 1% of global trade. Over the past 30 years, WTO members have taken steps to support LDCs’ integration in the global economy so that they can leverage trade as a foundation for a better future.
FROM OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Save the date: Join DG @NOIweala and Baroness Jones @WhitchurchGirl on 21 November for a conference exploring the intersection of AI with trade and the WTO’s role in global AI governance. Register here: https://bit.ly/4hFNNMV
In this month's WTO "News Harvest":
?? @OECD: farm support down from 2021 peak
?? @UNEP urges action on forests + ag
?? $12 trn in "hidden" agrifood costs, @FAO warns
?? Reform is "no-brainer": DG @NOIweala
Read: https://bit.ly/3AA9pK5
Subscribe: https://bit.ly/3LmmvtR
How can trade policy contribute to climate action? Here are 21 examples. The new booklet "Trade Policy Experiences Contributing to Climate Action" compiles experiences shared by WTO members. More: https://bit.ly/4hQbBha #COP29 #WTOatCOP29
Today, the #STDF celebrates its 20th anniversary with the launch of the "20 Years of Safe Trade for Sustainable Development" report. It highlights the impactful results across its project portfolio, knowledge initiatives, and global platform. More: https://bit.ly/4eD9VFe
LATEST BLOG
How environmental comparative advantage can lead to environmental gains from trade
By WTO Chief Economist Ralph Ossa
UPCOMING EVENTS
Empowering Women-led MSMEs: Unlocking Growth through Intellectual Property
The conversation "Empowering Women-led MSMEs: Unlocking Growth through Intellectual Property" is designed as a joint WIPO-WTO Solutions Lab of the Informal Working Groups on Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and Trade and Gender. It will explore actionable strategies for empowering women entrepreneurs to harness IP as a critical business tool. Panellists will focus on practical actions that governments and policymakers can take to equip women with the knowledge and skill to effectively manage their businesses. By fostering a more inclusive ecosystem for women-led MSMEs, we can unlock new pathways for economic growth and accelerate progress towards gender equality in innovation.
How AI shapes and is shaped by international trade
The conference will kick off with the unveiling of a WTO report on AI and international trade. Deep-dive sessions will explore the intersection of AI and trade in services, customs procedures, agriculture, and intellectual property; the challenges of regulating AI; the risk and impacts of regulatory fragmentation and of an AI divide; and the role that trade policies, the WTO and international cooperation can play to harness AI's benefits for economic growth and global trade while mitigating its risks.
WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Teachers of Intellectual Property
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the WTO are teaming up to organize the 20th edition of the colloquium for teachers and researchers of intellectual property (IP) law and policy from developing and least-developed members and observers. The colloquium will take place from 3 to 14 February 2025 at both WIPO and WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Qualified candidates are asked to apply by 24 November 2024 via the WIPO eLearning Center.
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