WTO: WTO issues report on measures to expedite access to COVID-19 critical goods, services

WTO issues report on measures to expedite access to COVID-19 critical goods, services The WTO Secretariat has published a new information note on how WTO members have used trade measures to expedite access to critical medical goods and services as part of their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lees verder DDG Wolff: "US and China have areas of potential agreement" Despite their differences, the United States and China have areas of potential agreement at the WTO, including new global rules on electronic commerce and disciplines on harmful fisheries subsidies, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said on 17 September. In virtual remarks delivered to the World... Lees verder WTO announces winner of 2020 Essay Award for Young Economists The winner of the 2020 WTO Essay Award for Young Economists is Xiang Ding of Harvard University. His paper, "Industry Linkages from Joint Production", was ranked first by the Selection Panel. He receives a prize of CHF 5,000. Lees verder Services trade barometer signals resilience in key sectors amid overall decline World services trade likely remained far below trend through the second quarter of 2020 amid the economic fallout from COVID-19, but the latest reading from the WTO Services Trade Barometer also shows modest gains in some key sectors, suggesting a degree of resilience in the face of the pandemic.... Lees verder WTO launches Goods Schedules e-Library On 17 September 2020, the WTO launched the Goods Schedules e-Library, a new online platform that provides access to thousands of files and legal instruments recording tariff and other commitments made by WTO members in their schedules of concessions. The e-Library catalogues and provides direct... Lees verder DDG Wolff: "Trade policies have a huge potential to support climate action" In remarks delivered to a Business Europe webinar on trade and climate change on 17 September, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said trade policies are powerful tools to scale-up investment in clean and resilient infrastructure and accelerate climate-friendly innovation. The WTO can play a role... Lees verder DDG Wolff: WTO members addressing implications of plastics pollution WTO members have begun addressing the cross-border implications of plastics pollution in their discussions in Geneva, with some seeking support for a plastics initiative at the WTO's Ministerial Conference next year, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said on 17 September. In a message to the... Lees verder WTO members narrow field of DG candidates The WTO took another step towards selecting its next Director-General today (18 September) as General Council Chair David Walker of New Zealand and his two co-facilitators in the selection process disclosed which of the eight candidates* had secured the broadest and deepest support from the WTO... Lees verder WTO members to discuss proposals to enhance special treatment for developing countries On 23 September 2020, at a formal meeting of the Special Session of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD), WTO members will discuss proposals on enhancing the special and differential treatment for developing countries contained in WTO legal texts. 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 28 September 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