WTO News

1. Committee on Market Access marks 30th anniversary amid trade tensions

   At the meeting of the Committee on Market Access (CMA) on 13-14 May, WTO members marked the 30th anniversary of the CMA and its achievements. Current trade tensions were addressed under several agenda items, with the committee reviewing 33 trade concerns raised by members. The CMA also adopted a report on supply chain resilience and welcomed progress on joint efforts establishing new tariff headings for facilitating trade in vaccines.

2. Trade Policy Review: Cabo Verde

   The second review of the trade policies and practices of Cabo Verde takes place on 14 and 16 May 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Cabo Verde.

3. Sustainability discussions focus on trade policy considerations and practices

   WTO members participating in the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) met on 12-13 May to continue discussing four key sustainability topics. Discussions covered subsidies for the decarbonization of maritime transport, challenges and opportunities faced by developing economies regarding trade and circular economy, experiences with facilitating trade in environmental goods and services, and interoperability of trade-related climate measures. Members also reviewed first drafts of possible outcomes for the working groups.

4. DG Okonjo-Iweala and Japan’s Prime Minister issue joint call to strengthen trading system

   Director-General Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued a joint call on 13 May to strengthen the multilateral trading system and advance meaningful reform of the WTO. DG Okonjo-Iweala met with Prime Minister Ishiba and other senior Japanese government officials in Tokyo.

5. Statement by DG Okonjo-Iweala

   Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, issued the following statement on 11 May following her meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Geneva.