WTO

A joint publication on “Trade Finance in West Africa” was launched by Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Managing Director Makhtar Diop on 12 October in Washington DC. Using the results of a survey of banks in the four largest economies of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal — the publication assesses the shortfall in trade finance in these countries. It also outlines ways of removing obstacles to credit facilities and of unleashing the trade potential of the region.

Can the flow of goods, services, and ideas build bridges where conflict once prevailed? If so, under whatcircumstances? The World Trade Organization (WTO) stands for a predictable, rules-based system based on the principle of non-discrimination. When the predecessor to the WTO – the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade – was established some 70 years ago, conflict among nations was at an historic low, following World War II. In the changed global political landscape of today, geopolitical tensions, disruptions to trade and increasing concerns about economic inequality have come to the fore, challenging the foundations of multilateral trade relationships, and trade cooperation more generally. Pathways to Sustainable Trade and Peace is the first WTO publication dedicated to an in-depth exploration of the complex relationship between trade and peace. The publication examines a number of critical questions. How do trade and peace interact? Can trade be leveraged to foster economic development and stability? What can governments and other stakeholders do to foster positive interaction between trade and peace? The volume focuses specifically but not exclusively on fragile and conflict-affected economies, including case studies and analyses from various policy angles.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the integral role of international trade in responding to the global health crisis. All communities depended to some extent on trade for medical products, related services and vaccines. In particular, the pandemic accentuated the mutual benefit from the core principles of the multilateral trading system, especially the benefits of open and well-functioning international production and supply chains, and non-discriminatory measures. This publication looks into the WTO’s response to the pandemic in terms of four key areas: monitoring the flow of goods related to COVID-19, working towards a coordinated and effective international response to the pandemic, conducting policy and statistical analysis with other intergovernmental organizations, and analysing the lessons learned from the pandemic to shape a blueprint for future international cooperation. The publication examines how WTO members negotiated a framework to guide and consolidate the WTO’s response to the pandemic, to enhance the flow of practical knowledge, and to help render the multilateral trading system better prepared for future crises. Negotiations resulted in the Ministerial Declaration on the WTO Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference in June 2022. The importance of this work was confirmed in the Ministerial Declaration issued in March 2024 at MC13, which encouraged relevant WTO bodies to continue their work on reviewing the lessons learned from the pandemic and on building effective solutions in case of future pandemics.

Open global trade, supported by a well-functioning “quality infrastructure”, has been an important factor in the rapid deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies around the world. Keeping markets open is critically important to ensure that all countries can benefit from solar PV, a pillar of the low-carbon, sustainable energy system needed to help achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and fulfil the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This report by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) looks at how open, transparent and inclusive trade policies can support cost reductions, deployment of components and job creation in the solar PV sector, strengthening the critical infrastructure needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting efforts to rebuild the world economy. The report examines the need for countries to develop a robust quality infrastructure to promote safe trade in solar PV goods and services. This would reduce the risks of unreliable products entering the value chain, and ensure stability for investors and other participants in the value chain. The report also looks at the need to strengthen international cooperation, and demonstrates how IRENA and the WTO can support efforts to promote a secure and inclusive global solar PV market through the effective use of quality infrastructure.

20 Years of the WTO: A retrospective provides an overview of the first two decades of the arbiter of the multilateral trading system. A selection of compelling images and excerpts guides the reader through the history of the organization. Readers will uncover the origins, mission, composition, functioning and key figures of the organization, all the while exploring the challenges it has faced, and how it has worked to meet these challenges.

La pandémie de maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID 19) constitue une crise de santé publique mondiale extraordinaire. Elle a rendu nécessaire l'intensification de la coopération au niveau planétaire. Dès le début, elle a soulevé des questions à l'intersection entre la politique de santé publique, la politique commerciale ainsi que le cadre et la gestion de l'innovation, y compris pour ce qui est des droits de propriété intellectuelle. La deuxième édition de l'étude conjointe de l'OMS, de l'OMPI et de l'OMC intitulée "Promouvoir l'accès aux technologies médicales et l'innovation: Intersections entre la santé publique et la propriété intellectuelle et le commerce", publiée en 2020, contenait un encart spécial présentant les défis posés par la pandémie de COVID 19 par rapport au cadre intégré de politiques en matière de santé, de commerce et de PI établi dans l'étude. Cette mise à jour révise les renseignements figurant dans la dernière version, lancée en octobre 2021, à la lumière de la situation au 17 mai 2023.

Trois questions importantes seront déterminantes pour l'avenir de l'OMC: le règlement des différends, les négociations et l'intégration régionale. Le règlement des différends est généralement considéré comme l'un des succès majeurs de l'OMC durant ses dix premières années d'existence. La conclusion des négociations du Cycle de Doha est l'un de ses principaux défis. L'intégration régionale est désormais au premier plan du débat alors que les accords régionaux prolifèrent et que les décideurs et les universitaires prennent la mesure de leur incidence sur le système commercial multilatéral. Ces questions, et leur interaction, sont traitées par d'éminents spécialistes et professionnels du droit commercial international originaires d'Amérique du Nord, d'Europe et de la région Asie Pacifique. En outre, des sections spécifiques sont consacrées à la région Asie Pacifique, à sa participation au règlement des différends et aux négociations dans le cadre de l'OMC, et aux tendances récentes à une plus grande intégration régionale.AE1:AE10

This joint study by the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization Secretariat on the relationship between trade rules and public health. The study explains how WTO Agreements relate to different aspects of health policies. It is meant to give a better insight into key issues for those who develop, communicate or debate policy issues related to trade and health. The study covers areas such as drugs and intellectual property rights, food safety, tobacco and many other issues which have been subject to passionate debate. In this joint effort, the first of its kind, WHO and the WTO Secretariat endeavour to set out the facts.

The "WTO Analytical Index" is a comprehensive guide to the interpretation and application of the WTO agreements by the Appellate Body, dispute settlement panels and other WTO bodies. It contains extracts of key pronouncements and findings from tens of thousands of pages of WTO jurisprudence, including panel reports, Appellate Body reports, arbitral decisions and awards, and decisions of WTO committees, councils and other WTO bodies.

"One-Page Case Summaries" provides a succinct summary of all disputes brought to the WTO. It covers the findings of the dispute panel report for each case and the subsequent Appellate Body report in cases where WTO members appealed the original ruling.

Domestic regulation of services sectors has a significant impact on services trade liberalization, which is why General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) disciplines are negotiated in the WTO. With the help of analyses and case-studies from academics, regulators and trade experts, this book explores the scope and limits of WTO legal principles to promote domestic regulatory reform. Case-studies discuss country-specific challenges and experiences of regulating important service sectors, such as finance, telecommunications, distribution, legal, education, health, postal and logistics services, as well as the role of regulatory impact assessments. The findings will interest trade officials, policy-makers, regulators, think tanks and businesses concerned with the implications of domestic regulation on access to services markets, and with the opportunities for formulating trade disciplines in this area. It is also a useful resource for academics and students researching regulatory approaches and practices in services sectors.

WTO Ministerial Conferences: Key Outcomes contains all the key outcomes from WTO Ministerial Conferences since the organization was established in 1995. Covering twelve Ministerial Conferences held between 1996 and 2022, the key outcomes include Ministerial Decisions and Declarations as well as Chairpersons’ statements. This publication also reproduces relevant Ministerial outcomes of the Uruguay Round adopted in connection with the establishment of the WTO. This publication complements The WTO Agreements, published by Cambridge University Press and the WTO, which contains the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO and its Annexes.

The sessions held during the 2011 Public Forum triggered a frank and open debate on the principal global challenges for the multilateral trading system. The Forum also sought to identify practical and effective solutions and ways forward to enable the WTO to adapt and respond effectively to our fast-changing world. A chapter is devoted to each of the sessions held during the three-day programme.

WTO working papers usually represent research in progress. Such research may be conducted in the preparation of WTO Secretariat reports, studies or other material for WTO members. The papers are circulated for comment because the WTO considers critical review of professional research to be extremely important.

In brief, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

So-called disruptive technologies, such as blockchain, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning, have the potential to transform border management and the conduct of international trade. This publication explores how these advanced technologies can be used to improve the efficiency of Customs processes and to ease the flow of goods across borders.

Trade can dramatically improve women’s lives, creating new jobs, enhancing consumer choices, and increasing women’s bargaining power in society. It can also lead to job losses and a concentration of work in low-skilled employment. Given the complexity and specificity of the relationship between trade and gender, it is essential to assess the potential impact of trade policy on both women and men and to develop appropriate, evidence-based policies to ensure that trade helps to enhance opportunities for all. Research on gender equality and trade has been constrained by limited data and a lack of understanding of the connections among the economic roles that women play as workers, consumers, and decision makers. Building on new analyses and new sex-disaggregated data, Women and Trade: The Role of Trade in Promoting Gender Equality aims to advance the understanding of the relationship between trade and gender equality and to identify a series of opportunities through which trade can improve the lives of women.

"World Tariff Profiles" provides a unique collection of data on tariffs imposed by WTO members and other economies. It is jointly published by the WTO, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

World Tariff Profiles 2023 provides comprehensive information on the tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by over 170 countries and customs territories. The publication starts with a breakdown of the tariffs imposed by these economies. Tariff data are presented in comparative tables and in one-page profiles for each economy. A summary table on selected indicators on the imports and exports profile for these economies is also presented. Statistics on non tariff measures by country and by product group complement the data on tariffs. Under the special topics part, there are two technical papers. The first one analyses the evolution of market access over 16 years of World Tariff Profiles and the second one focuses on Product classification for WTO trade statistics and policy analysis - Multilateral Trade Negotiations (MTN) Categories. The publication is jointly prepared by the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

World Tariff Profiles 2025 provides comprehensive information on the tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by over 170 countries and customs territories. The publication starts with a breakdown of the tariffs imposed by these economies. Tariff data are presented in comparative tables and in one-page profiles for each economy. A summary table on selected indicators on the imports and exports profile for these economies is also presented. Statistics on non tariff measures by economy and by product group complement the data on tariffs. The special topic deals with “Global trade on most-favoured-nation terms”. The publication is jointly prepared by the World Trade Organization, the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

The COVID-19 pandemic and the prospect of increasingly frequent and more intense natural and man-made disasters raise important questions about the resilience of the global economy to such shocks. The World Trade Report 2021 explores the basic, binary assumption driving much of the current debate about economic resilience, namely the inherent trade-off between global trade interdependence and national economic security, and suggests that this can be a false dilemma. Due to its interconnected nature, international trade can increase an economy’s exposure to risks and contribute to the transmission of shockwaves. At the same time, it can bolster economic resilience, particularly when backed by domestic policies and effective global cooperation. As a driver of economic growth, trade can generate the resources and knowledge needed to prepare for crises. It can also help countries recover by facilitating the provision of goods and services needed to cope with a crisis. Policies aimed at increasing economic resilience by re-shoring production and unwinding trade integration ultimately reduce economic resilience. Conversely, trade diversification can contribute to economic resilience by allowing countries to be less dependent on a limited number of importers, exporters and sectors. The World Trade Report 2021 shows that a more open, inclusive and predictable trade environment is needed to promote diversification and contribute to economic resilience. The WTO already plays a key role in making economies more resilient by promoting lower trade barriers and greater transparency in trade policies. Further international cooperation at the WTO can strengthen the mutual supportiveness of trade openness and economic resilience so that the world is better prepared to deal with future crises.

The establishment of the multilateral trading system over seven decades ago was based on the understanding that interdependence and cooperation contribute to peace and shared prosperity. More recently, however, new challenges, such as geopolitical tensions, rising inequalities and climate change, have led to fears that globalization exposes countries to excessive risks. Such fears have increased pressures to unwind trading relationships and turn to unilateral policies through a process of fragmentation. This year’s World Trade Report examines the benefits of integration into world trade as well as the risks of fragmentation. It shows that trade has proved to be a source of security and peace, a driver of poverty reduction, and a critical tool for addressing climate change. The Report argues that, to make our economies more secure, inclusive and sustainable, re-globalization – or integrating more people, economies and pressing issues into global trade and strengthening multilateral cooperation – is a much more effective solution to global challenges than fragmentation. Global problems need global solutions, meaning that today’s world needs more cooperation, not less. A reinvigorated multilateral trading system overseen by the WTO has an important role to play in this process.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to lead to a new era of growth. By transforming how goods and services are produced, exchanged and consumed, AI can bring about substantial changes in the global economy. Yet the future trajectory of AI remains uncertain, raising critical questions about trade and inclusive growth. The World Trade Report 2025 explores the complex and fast-evolving relationship between AI and international trade and how this relationship can shape inclusive growth. AI offers new opportunities to reduce trade costs, boost productivity and expand access to global markets. In addition, trade can help to render AI more accessible by spreading knowledge, fostering innovation and promoting participation in AI value chains. However, unequal access across the world to digital infrastructure, appropriate skills and capabilities could increase the digital divide. Also, the impact of AI on the labour market presents additional challenges. Whether AI-enabled trade translates into broad-based, inclusive growth will depend on the design and implementation of trade and trade-related policies. WTO rules on trade in goods, services, data, intellectual property and public procurement can shape the availability, affordability and diffusion of AI. Complementary policies regulating competition, data infrastructure, energy, education and government support can also help to determine whether and how economies benefit from AI-enabled trade. The WTO can play a central role in ensuring that AI supports more inclusive trade-led growth by administering WTO rules, by fostering dialogue, transparency and capacity-building, and by deepening collaboration on AI and digital trade with other international organizations.

“World Trade Statistical Review” looks into the latest trends in global trade, with in-depth analysis of what is being traded and who the key players are. Analytical chapters are complemented by over 65 tables providing a detailed breakdown of the goods and services being traded and the leading exporters/importers.

El progreso tecnológico siempre ha condicionado el comercio. En los últimos años, muchos observadores han saludado la aparición de una nueva tecnología, las cadenas de bloques, como el nuevo factor que transformará de manera radical el panorama comercial. ¿Pueden las cadenas de bloques revolucionar el comercio internacional? El objetivo de la presente publicación es desmitificar el fenómeno de las cadenas de bloques aportando una explicación básica de esta tecnología. En el documento se analiza la importancia que tiene esta tecnología para el comercio internacional, indicando cómo se utiliza en la actualidad y cómo podría llegar a utilizarse en diversas esferas abarcadas por las normas de la OMC. Del análisis se desprende en qué medida podría la adopción de esta tecnología afectar al comercio transfronterizo de mercancías y servicios y a los derechos de propiedad intelectual. El documento examina las posibilidades que ofrecen las cadenas de bloques para reducir los costes del comercio y mejorar la transparencia en las cadenas de suministro, así como las oportunidades que brinda a los pequeños productores y las pequeñas empresas. Por último, el documento repasa los distintos retos que es necesario superar para que la tecnología pueda utilizarse a gran escala e incidir de manera significativa en el comercio internacional.