WTO News

1. A critical juncture for the world trading system: what the evidence tells us

   The multilateral trading system has underpinned a nearly 50-fold expansion of world merchandise trade volume and one of the most remarkable periods of economic growth and development in modern history, yet global trade policy and the WTO are experiencing the most serious and sustained disruptions since the system was created 80 years ago.

2. Tariffs applied by WTO members have decreased by a third since 1996

   Update of data blog first published on 13 April 2023.

3. Report spotlights role of services export promotion strategies as catalyst for development

   A new report launched by the WTO Secretariat and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC) on 17 September draws on case studies to illustrate how developing economies' export promotion strategies can help them take advantage of growing opportunities in services trade. Export Promotion Strategies for Services: Lessons from the Developing World provides useful policy insights for developing economies, underscoring the importance of close coordination with skills upgrading and investment attraction strategies and the need to adapt export promotion mechanisms traditionally focused on goods.

4. Young Trade Leaders meet with DG; discuss AI, environment, needs of developing economies

   Artificial intelligence (AI), the environment, and issues facing developing economies were among the topics discussed by Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the latest cohort of WTO Young Trade Leaders at a meeting on 17 September. The Director-General underlined that harnessing the energy and ideas of young people is essential for addressing current and future trade challenges.

5. WTO Public Forum 2026 spotlights role of services in driving world trade

   The 2026 edition of the WTO's Public Forum kicked off on 15 September in Geneva under the theme Powering the Future. Over three days, the Forum will welcome more than 4,600 participants from business, governments, civil society, academia and international organizations to discuss how trade in services is a key engine of development, a source of income, and a driver of job creation and empowerment worldwide.