WTO: DG Azevêdo to Ottawa Group: Cooperation at the WTO would help the global economy recover from COVID-19

DG Azevêdo to Ottawa Group: Cooperation at the WTO would help the global economy recover from COVID-19 Speaking to ministers from the Ottawa Group of WTO members on 15 June, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said that the COVID-19 pandemic had placed additional strains on the multilateral trading system, and that pragmatic, effective cooperation at the WTO would help the global economy recover... Lees verder WTO issues panel report on Saudi Arabia's protection of intellectual property rights On 16 June the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by Qatar in "Saudi Arabia — Measures concerning the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights" (DS567). Lees verder Turkey launches safeguard investigation on polyethylene terephthalate chips On 16 June 2020, Turkey notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 11 June 2020 a safeguard investigation on polyethylene terephthalate chips. Lees verder DDG Wolff calls for values-based multilateralism to boost the WTO Speaking at the "Trade for Peace" webinar on 16 June jointly organized by the WTO and the Institute for Economics and Peace, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said the need for well-functioning global economic governance is more urgent than ever but will require bold reform measures based on a set... Lees verder The Republic of Moldova nominates Mr Tudor Ulianovschi for post of WTO Director-General The Republic of Moldova, on 16 June 2020, nominated Mr Tudor Ulianovschi for the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced he will step down on 31 August 2020. Lees verder Fisheries subsidies work resumes in Geneva as COVID-19 restrictions ease WTO members will resume working towards an agreement on fisheries subsidies disciplines next week as COVID-19 containment measures have gradually eased. The chair of the Negotiating Group on Rules, Ambassador Santiago Wills of Colombia, is convening the meeting to introduce a working document based... Lees verder DDG Wolff: Pandemic underlines need to improve trading system's relevance and resilience The multilateral trading system will continue to face challenges in limiting the harm to trade and the global economy resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said on 17 June. Speaking at a Think20 virtual panel on Policy Recommendations for a Post-COVID 19 World,... Lees verder The Philippines launches three safeguard investigations: on aluminum zinc sheets, coils and strips; on prepainted galvanized iron and prepainted aluminum zinc; and on galvanized iron sheets, coils and strips On 19 June 2020, the Philippines notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated three safeguard investigations: (i) on aluminum zinc sheets, coils and strips; (ii) on prepainted galvanized iron and prepainted aluminum zinc; and (iii) on galvanized iron sheets, coils and strips. It... Lees verder Trade falls steeply in first half of 2020 World trade fell sharply in the first half of the year, as the COVID 19 pandemic upended the global economy. However, rapid government responses helped temper the contraction, and WTO economists now believe that while trade volumes will register a steep decline in 2020, they are unlikely to reach... Lees verder Items proposed for consideration at the next meeting of Dispute Settlement Body The WTO Secretariat has circulated a meeting notice and list of items proposed for the next meeting, on 29 June 2020, of the Dispute Settlement Body, which consists of all WTO members and oversees legal disputes among them. The meeting notice is circulated in the form of a document officially... Lees verder