WTO: WTO report looks at role of e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic

WTO report looks at role of e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic The WTO Secretariat has published a new information note looking at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected e-commerce, including the implications for cross-border trade. It notes the increased use of e-commerce as consumers adapt to lockdowns and social distancing measures and draws attention to... Lees verder DDG Wolff: COVID-19 crisis underlines need for more multilateralism, not less The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has underlined the need for greater multilateral cooperation, including the need to improve the global trading system, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said on 7 May. Speaking at a webinar hosted by the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning, DDG... Lees verder DDG Wolff: "The time now is for action rather than reflection" In remarks delivered to a virtual meeting on 7 May hosted by the Foreign Trade Authority of Saudi Arabia, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said governments must step up international cooperation to respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the multilateral trading system, this... Lees verder WTO issues report on trade impacts for WTO members graduating from LDC status A new report issued by the WTO on 8 May seeks to help least developed countries (LDCs) better understand the trade-related implications of graduation from LDC status. The product of a joint effort between the WTO and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), "Trade Impacts of LDC Graduation" looks... Lees verder DG Azevêdo announces he will step down on 31 August At a virtual meeting of all WTO members on 14 May, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo announced that he would step down on 31 August, cutting his second term short by exactly one year. He said that bringing forward his departure would allow members to select his successor in the coming months,... Lees verder DG Azevêdo hails G20 pledges on trade cooperation in COVID-19 response WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo welcomed G20 ministers' endorsement of collective action measures to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trade and investment and help foster global economic recovery. The initiatives were endorsed at a virtual meeting of the G20 trade and investment... Lees verder Applications open for 2020 Trade and Public Health Workshop The contribution of public health policy, intellectual property rules and trade agreements to support the development and dissemination of key health technologies to fight the COVID-19 pandemic will be a special feature of this year's Trade and Public Health Workshop, scheduled to take place in... Lees verder Members discuss trade responses to COVID-19 pandemic At a meeting of the General Council on 15 May, WTO members exchanged views regarding trade responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many members said the unprecedented crisis was best addressed through enhanced cooperation and coordination among the international community, including at the WTO. Lees verder Brazil submits application to join government procurement pact On 18 May 2020, the WTO Committee on Government Procurement received Brazil's bid to start negotiations on joining the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Brazil said it would circulate the necessary accession documents as soon as the COVID-19 situation allows it. Lees verder WTO goods barometer flashes red as COVID-19 disrupts world trade The volume of world merchandise trade is likely to fall precipitously in the first half of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts the global economy, according to the WTO Goods Trade Barometer released on 20 May. The index currently stands at 87.6, far below the baseline value of 100, suggesting a... Lees verder