INTERNATIONAL NEWS
WTO DG FAREWELL REMARKS: “Delivering on both the multilateral front and the joint initiatives will be vital for the future of the system”
In his farewell remarks to the General Council on July 23rd, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo reflected on the achievements secured during his seven years at the helm of the WTO and the challenges facing the organization ahead.Read his declaration here:"In preparing...
WTO DG- SELECTION PROCESS, CANDIDATES AND TIMELINE
On May, 14 2020, Director-General Azevêdo informed the 164 WTO members that he would be stepping down from his post on 31 August 2020, one year before the expiry of his mandate. Under guidelines agreed by the General Council in December 2002, the General Council Chair...
Turkmenistan is granted the observer status in the WTO
At a meeting of the WTO General Council on 22 July, WTO members agreed to grant Turkmenistan observer status. Turkmenistan, a state in Central Asia with a population of about 6.2 million, thus became the last former Soviet republic to establish a formal relationship...
WTO- Trade volumes will register a steep decline in 2020, but rapid government responses helped temper the contraction, unlikely to reach the worst-case scenario
WTO displays perspectives on
WTO report examines impact of COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses
The WTO Secretariat has published an information note looking at how micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes the impact of supply chain disruptions on MSMEs and the extent to which smaller businesses are...
WTO report looks at impact of COVID-19 pandemic on services
A new information note published by the WTO Secretariat looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected trade in services, from tourism and transport to retail and health services.The note provides an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on various modes of supply and...
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). In its statement, Brazil said it hoped to present its initial market access offer and reply to a checklist of...
WTO DG announces he will step down on August, 31st 2020
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 one year.He said that bringing forward his departure would allow members to select his successor in...
WTO/ Simply Services: A Trade in Services Speaker Series
“Simply Services — A Trade in Services Speaker Series” is an informal platform for the exchange of knowledge and information on trade in services. Open to all delegates and the Secretariat, it regularly convenes services experts to the WTO to share the latest information on trends in services trade.
MEDEF: B7 France Summit to take place in Aix-en-Provence from July 3rd-5th
B7 2019 theme “Inclusive economic growth and governance for the 21st Century”
G7 Workshop: “Tools making value chains more circular & resource efficient”
G7 Alliance on Resource Efficiency initiative, March 20-21, 2019, Paris
UNCTAD: New policy brief launched ahead of global eCommerce Week 2019
Can developing nations compete in a digital world?
UNEP-IRP: New ‘hotspots’ tool pinpoints unsustainable consumption & production
Massive online app provides scientific evidence for high-impact decisions
B20 Germany: Spotlight on Tokyo 2019 B20 Summit
2019 B20 Summit in Japan under the leadership of Keidanren
B20 Tokyo Summit: Joint Recommendations – “Society 5.0 for SDGs”
B20 Tokyo Summit Seven Principles handed over to G20 Chair, H.E. Mr Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan
UNEP IRP: Global Resources Outlook 2019
GBC contributes to Global Resources Outlook 2019 – Implications for Business Leaders
B20 Tokyo Summit – Message from the Chairman of Keidanren
Towards the realisation of Society 5.0 for SDGs
B20 Germany: Preparatory Workshop for the B20 Summit in Japan
German companies came together for the workshop “Towards the Tokyo Summit”
Boao Forum for Asia’s 1st Global Health Forum set for Qingdao in June
The forum also will launch the Qingdao Initiative
OECD Report – Changing world of work needs new jobs strategy
Governments need to do more to help workers and firms adapt
B20 Germany: G20 Buenos Aires Communiqué: Minimal consensus in turbulent times
International cooperation has become much more challenging
G20 Argentina 2018 Leaders’ declaration – Building consensus for fair and sustainable development
Leaders renew commitment to work together to improve a rules-based international order
FSB reports to G20 Leaders on progress in financial regulatory reforms
Report documents the substantial progress that has been made
EU proposes way forward on the functioning of the WTO Appellate Body
Proposal will be presented at WTO General Council meeting on 12 December
FSB appoints Randal K Quarles as new chair & Klaas Knot as vice chair
For a three-year term starting on December 2, 2018
UNCTAD, ITC and WTO to develop the Global Trade Helpdesk
Geneva trade trio promise better trade data for small businesses
OECD: Global growth is slowing amid rising trade and financial risks
OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría presents Economic Outlook
IMF: G20 2018 Report on Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, & Inclusive Growth
Prepared by the IMF Staff with inputs from the OECD
APEC: Project DARE to tackle alarming skills shortfall
DARE – Data Analytics Raising Employment initiative
UNIDO calls for globally coherent approach to Circular Economy at 2018 WCEF
The near-universal recognition of Circular Economy’s merits is a recent development