WTO: Farm talks forge ahead despite MC12 uncertainty

Farm talks forge ahead despite MC12 uncertainty WTO negotiators started off the new year by seeking a way forward for the agricultural talks after the postponement of the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) late last year. At a meeting on 24 January, the Chair of the agriculture negotiating group, Ambassador Gloria Abraham Peralta (Costa Rica),... Lees verder DDG Ellard points to work by members to increase negotiating momentum Speaking at a webinar organized by the Asia Society Policy Institute on 25 January, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard outlined the next steps for WTO negotiations in light of the postponed 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12). Lees verder Arbitrator issues decision in US-China dispute over subsidy duties On 26 January, a WTO arbitrator issued a decision on the level of countermeasures China may request in its dispute with the United States regarding US countervailing duties on certain products from China (DS437). Lees verder DDG Ellard: "Deeds not words" as the WTO becomes more gender-responsive In her keynote speech at the 27 January launch of a new study on mainstreaming gender in free trade agreements, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard highlighted the progress the WTO has made in supporting the participation of women in international trade. The full text of her speech is below. Lees verder Members discuss way forward in dedicated meeting on WTO pandemic response WTO members met on 27 January to discuss the WTO response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The informal meeting convened by the Chair of the General Council, Ambassador Dacio Castillo of Honduras, looked at issues related to cross-border trade flows and the proposal to waive certain intellectual property... Lees verder EU initiates WTO dispute complaint regarding Egyptian import registration requirements The European Union has requested WTO dispute consultations with Egypt concerning certain registration requirements for foreign entities owning trademarks and importing products into Egypt. The request was circulated to WTO members on 27 January. Lees verder DDG Paugam underscores important role of trade for food security, sustainable land use In a video message delivered on 28 January 2022 at the 14th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam said degradation of farmland is posing severe challenges to global food security. He stressed the important role of trade in ensuring efficient agricultural... Lees verder WTO Secretariat updates members on COVID-19 reports and new tools At the information session organized by the Committee on Market Access on 28 January, WTO members were updated on the work undertaken by the WTO Secretariat in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a number of reports and new tools which are particularly relevant to the work of the Committee. The information session on trade in COVID-19-related goods had been requested by members who commended the effort made by the Secretariat since the pandemic began. Lees verder DG Okonjo-Iweala tells sustainability conference "trade is part of the solution to challenges we face" Trade and trade policy can help achieve global sustainability goals more effectively and efficiently, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a keynote speech to the 28 January conference titled "For a more sustainable and responsible trade" organized by French trade minister Franck Riester to mark France's 2022 presidency of the Council of the European Union. Spelling out ways in which trade is contributing — and could contribute more — to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and socioeconomic inclusion, she called on governments to make better use of trade and the WTO as instruments for environmental sustainability. Lees verder Registrations open for WTO workshop on COVID-19 vaccines R&D;, manufacturing and distribution With the objectives of supporting ongoing discussions and improving understanding of the practical aspects of COVID-19 vaccine research and development (R&D), manufacturing and distribution, the WTO Secretariat is organizing a technical workshop on 11 February 2022. Lees verder