Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

Least-developed countries discuss trade priorities ahead of United Nations Conference on LDCs

Under discussion were trade impacts for countries graduating from LDC status, LDCs' regional integration and evolving trading trends in LDCs

Over 100 capital-based officials from more than 40 least-developed countries (LDCs) took part in two stocktaking consultations on the trade aspects of the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs at meetings held in January in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang said in his opening…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala welcomes breakthrough on COVID-19 vaccine waiver

The European Union, India, South Africa and the United States is an essential element to any final deal

World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala today warmly welcomed the breakthrough among four WTO Members on a waiver of the Trade-Related Intellectual Property agreement for the production of vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is a major step forward and this compromise is the result of many long and difficult…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

Coronavirus: Members discuss intellectual property response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Discussion on a proposal submitted by India and South Africa for a temporary waiver of certain Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) obligations

At the meeting of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on 15-16 October 2020, WTO members discussed how best to use the global intellectual property (IP) system to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Members also discussed the extension of the transitional period for least developed countries (LDCs)…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

Coronavirus: Trade has a role to play in making the COVID-19 response more effective, says Deputy Directors-General (DDG) Agah

An opportunity for the trading system to emerge stronger from this crisis and better-equipped to respond to the aspirations of all members

On behalf of the four Deputy Directors-General, DDG Agah addressed heads of WTO member delegations on 12 October and emphasised “the importance of open and predictable markets to foster a strong and inclusive recovery for all countries”. In his remarks he highlighted the work done by the DDGs to ensure…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

Coronavirus - Africa: Members to debate how Aid for Trade can address COVID-19 impact on developing countries

At the meeting, WTO members agreed to extend the period for implementing the current Aid for Trade work programme

An informal meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development dedicated to the Aid for Trade initiative will be held on 14 September to discuss how to take account of the trade and development challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. WTO members will discuss how the WTO-led initiative can help…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

Coronavirus - Africa: World Trade Organization (WTO) members discuss cotton development assistance, impact of COVID-19 on cotton trade

The Cotton-4 (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) noted the importance of supporting cotton development assistance projects designed locally, including the "Cotton Roadmap Project"

t a meeting of the Director-General’s Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton on 30 July, the chair Deputy Director-General Alan Wm. Wolff reiterated the forum’s mandate to ensure transparency of development assistance programmes for cotton and to improve the effectiveness of cotton projects. The WTO Secretariat presented a report and video…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

Coronavirus - Africa: World Trade Organization (WTO) members stress role of intellectual property (IP) system in fighting COVID-19

Developing and least-developed country members highlighted the challenges COVID-19 has presented in terms of access to medicines, vaccines and associated technologies

IP measures in the context of COVID-19 At the request of South Africa, WTO members engaged in a discussion on the important role the WTO - and the TRIPS Council in particular - play in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Developing and least-developed country members highlighted the challenges COVID-19 has presented…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

Coronavirus - Africa: Liechtenstein donates CHF 40,000 to help developing countries expand trading capacities

To assist developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) in enhancing their trading capacities

Liechtenstein has contributed CHF 40,000 in 2020 to assist developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) in enhancing their trading capacities. This donation will finance training workshops and seminars supported by the WTO’s DDA Global Trust Fund, with the aim of improving the skill-set of government officials from across the world.…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

Coronavirus - Africa: World Trade Organization (WTO) report looks at trade developments in poorest countries in wake of COVID-19

There are currently 47 least-developed countries (LDCs), 36 of which have become WTO members

A new information note published by the WTO Secretariat looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the participation of least-developed countries (LDCs) in global trade. The note stresses that LDCs have seen a significant decline in export earnings due to decreasing demand in key markets, falling commodity prices and…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |

Panel report adopted regarding Moroccan measures on hot-rolled steel from Turkey

Morocco will now have 30 days to inform the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of its intentions in regards to the implementation of the ruling

The panel report, circulated to WTO members on 31 October 2018, found that Moroccan authorities had violated several provisions of the WTO's Anti-Dumping Agreement in their investigation on the targeted Turkish imports. On 20 November 2018 Morocco notified its decision to appeal certain panel findings. On 4 December 2019, the…