World Trade Organization Press Releases - EIN Presswire - Press Release Distribution Service

Published on June 17, 2026 - 11:23 GMT

After MC14: Realistic WTO reform essential for institutional renewal

by Robert Staiger When I took up the position of WTO Chief Economist in January 2026, I knew that the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference, known as MC14, would be important for the future of the organization. Held at the end of March in Yaoundé, Cameroon …

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Published on June 15, 2026 - 14:52 GMT

Deadline for submitting proposals for the 2026 Public Forum extended to 17 June

All sessions at the Public Forum are organized by civil society, academia, business, governments, parliamentarians and intergovernmental organizations. Participants interested in organizing Working Sessions will find further details in this information …

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Published on June 11, 2026 - 21:40 GMT

DDG Nordquist: WTO remains the foundation of global trade despite growing challenges

Good morning, everyone. Let me begin by thanking Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and Asia House for the invitation to join you today and for producing another edition of the Future of Trade report. At a time when businesses, governments, and …

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Published on June 10, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

Members discuss proposals under 2026 review of Trade Facilitation Agreement

The TFA - aimed at expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit - is the first WTO agreement in which developing and least-developed country (LDC) members determined their own implementation schedules in accordance …

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Published on June 9, 2026 - 19:25 GMT

Fish Fund supports Tonga's first notification under the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Under the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a WTO member party to the Agreement is required to notify, among others, its membership of any Regional Fisheries Management Organization or Arrangement (RFMO/A), including information about the areas and species …

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Published on June 9, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

Members discuss preparations to bring E-Commerce Agreement into force by mid-2027

At the group's first plenary meeting since MC14 was held in Yaoundé, Cameroon on 26-30 March, the co-convenors - Ambassador James Victor Baxter of Australia, Ambassador Nagai Katsuro of Japan and Ambassador Tan Hung Seng of Singapore - updated members …

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Published on June 8, 2026 - 23:25 GMT

STDF launches Annual Report 2025, "Accelerating Safe Trade: From Innovation to Scale"

The report marks the first year of implementation of the STDF Strategy 2025-2030. Building on the STDF's 20-year history, the Strategy sets out a pathway to facilitate safe trade that contributes to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, food …

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Published on June 8, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

WTO members review preshipment inspection challenges and customs valuation notifications

Preshipment inspection refers to the practice by governments of employing specialized private companies to check shipment details - essentially price, quantity and quality - of imported goods. The WTO's Preshipment Inspection Agreement recognizes that …

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Published on June 8, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

South Africa notifies launch of safeguard investigation on A3 and A4 office paper

In the notification South Africa indicated, among other things, as follows: " Interested parties must make themselves known within a period of 20 days after the initiation of the investigation. Any information that the interested parties may wish to …

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Published on June 5, 2026 - 15:44 GMT

Goods trade holding up despite Middle East conflict and high energy prices

The Goods Trade Barometer is a composite leading indicator for merchandise trade, providing an early indication of the trajectory of world trade relative to recent trends. Barometer values greater than 100 are associated with above-trend trade volumes …

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Published on June 4, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

Experience-sharing on transparency in spotlight at import licensing committee meeting

Experience-sharing session The Committee's second experience-sharing session explored how greater transparency, improved notification practices, digital tools and public-private engagement can support more predictable import licensing procedures. …

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Published on June 2, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

WTO members advance discussions on key issues for unlocking services trade

The Council for Trade in Services elected its new Chair, Ambassador Audrey Goosen of the Netherlands. Facilitating recognition of professional qualifications Following discussions at previous meetings spurred by a proposal to strengthen the implementation …

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Published on June 1, 2026 - 20:47 GMT

Members share experiences and perspectives during WTO Trade and Environment Week

Opening the WTO Trade and Environment Week at the CTE meeting on 1 June, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala noted: "The WTO Trade and Environment Week has evolved into a valuable platform for open and constructive dialogue - a chance to hear …

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Published on June 1, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

Members share information on trade and climate measures, praise Trade and Environment Week

Ambassador Ram Prasad Subedi of Nepal, the new CTE Chair, facilitated the discussions. WTO Trade and Environment Week 2026 The seventh WTO Trade and Environment Week, opened by Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, comprised 16 sessions, all organized by …

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Published on June 1, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

Applications open for gender equality prize; IP spotlighted at trade and gender meeting

The IWG co-Chairs - Ambassador James Baxter of Australia, Ambassador Clara Delgado of Cabo Verde and Ambassador Patricia Benedetti of El Salvador - announced the launch of the third edition of the International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade, which …

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Published on May 29, 2026 - 00:35 GMT

Shipping industry cites mounting cost, capacity pressures amid global trade disruptions

The industry representatives noted that while they were adapting and innovating, tightening capacity constraints across transport networks were presenting serious difficulties. With some alternative land-based routes and ports already saturated, shifting …

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Published on May 29, 2026 - 00:35 GMT

New Zealand launches safeguard investigation on certain aluminium extrusions

In the notification New Zealand indicated, among other things, as follows: "4. Provide a point of contact for the investigation and identify the preferred means for corresponding. The point of contact would be available to respond to enquiries …

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Published on May 29, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

Joint Statement by the Heads of the IEA, IMF, World Bank, and WTO

"The war in the Middle East is generating substantial and highly asymmetric impacts on energy supplies, food security, and economic activity across countries and regions. While the global economy continues to show resilience, the effects of the …

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Published on May 28, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

Members discuss next steps for technology transfer work following MC14, elect new Chair

Members congratulated Ambassador Balakrishnan, who succeeds Ambassador Salomon Eheth of Cameroon, on her election, and thanked the outgoing Chair for his leadership over the past year. In his farewell remarks, Ambassador Eheth recalled that his tenure had …

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Published on May 28, 2026 - 00:00 GMT

Francophone parliamentarians strengthen engagement on multilateral trade at WTO/APF event

Legislators from French-speaking countries gathered in Geneva to engage with the WTO Secretariat on the rules, negotiations and challenges shaping the multilateral trading system. The workshop, organized as part of the WTO's technical assistance and …

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