WTO: Participants reflect on future work of the ITA Committee

Participants reflect on future work of the ITA Committee At a meeting of the Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology Products on 6 April, delegates reflected on the future work of the committee, building on takeaways from the ITA Symposium held in September 2021. They stressed the need for the committee's work to... Lees verder Members advance work to improve transparency in import licensing procedures As part of overall efforts to improve transparency, WTO members advanced work to ensure that import licensing procedures remain simple, straightforward and predictable. At a meeting of the Committee on Import Licensing Procedures on 8 April 2022, members reviewed 69 notifications, discussed several... Lees verder Supply chains are essential to trade, job creation, and decent work — DDG Ellard Speaking on behalf of the Director-General on 9 April at a conference in Bonn organized by the International Organisation of Employers, the Confederation of German Employers' Associations, and Deutsche Post DHL Group, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard emphasized the link between the effective... Lees verder WTO Secretariat note examines impact of the crisis in Ukraine on global trade and development The war in Ukraine has not only created a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions but has also dealt a severe blow to the global economy, circumstances which the WTO Secretariat has analysed in a note issued on 11 April that looks into the implications for global trade and development. Lees verder WTO-WEF publication looks at policy approaches to harness "TradeTech" potential The set of technologies known as "TradeTech" promises more efficient, inclusive and sustainable trade in the future, but there is an urgent need for policymaking to keep pace with developments in the field to realize its full potential. This is one of the key conclusions from a new joint... Lees verder Russia-Ukraine conflict puts fragile global trade recovery at risk Prospects for the global economy have darkened since the outbreak of war in Ukraine on 24 February, prompting WTO economists to reassess their projections for world trade over the next two years. Lees verder WTO panel issues report regarding Costa Rican import restrictions on Mexican avocados On 13 April, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by Mexico in "Costa Rica — Measures Concerning the Importation of Fresh Avocados from Mexico" (DS524). Lees verder World Bank, IMF, WFP and WTO call for urgent coordinated action on food security The heads of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and the WTO issued a joint statement on 13 April urging coordinated action to help vulnerable countries address growing threats to food security. The proposed actions include providing... Lees verder Seven-week online course concludes for senior officials from developing countries A total of 84 senior government officials from more than 40 English-speaking developing and least-developed countries concluded a seven-week online training course on 8 April. The training sought to strengthen participants' knowledge and expertise on WTO matters, including on the effects of the... Lees verder Multilateralism "must be reimagined and fit for purpose," DG tells Brazilian diplomats Brazil, and in particular its powerhouse agri-food sector, has benefited from open markets provided by the multilateral trading system, and it can benefit even more with a revitalized WTO, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told young diplomats and other guests at a lecture at Instituto Rio... Lees verder