Recent World Trade Organization Notices
The World Trade Organization recently posted the following notices:​
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- EIF and ITFC join forces to increase trading opportunities for least-developed countries. The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) has joined forces with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) to provide capacity building support aimed at helping least-developed countries increase their exports. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the sidelines of the WTO Public Forum on Sept. 27 to mark the start of the new partnership (here).
- New handbook provides up-to-date guidance on WTO dispute settlement proceedings. A new edition of A Handbook on the WTO Dispute Settlement System, co-published by the WTO and Cambridge University Press, was issued Sept. 26. Prepared by dispute settlement lawyers from the Legal Affairs Division and the Rules Division of the WTO Secretariat and from the Appellate Body Secretariat, this handbook provides practical information about the day-to-day operation of the WTO’s dispute settlement system (here).
- Indonesia files appeal against WTO panel ruling on steel safeguard. On Sept. 28, Indonesia filed a notice of appeal in the cases brought by Chinese Taipei and Viet Nam in “Indonesia -- Safeguard on Certain Iron or Steel Products” (DS490 and DS496). The panel circulated its report on Aug. 18 (here).
- Brazil files appeal against WTO panel ruling on tax measures. On Sept. 28, Brazil filed a notice of appeal in the cases brought by the European Union and Japan in “Brazil -- Certain Measures Concerning Taxation and Charges” (DS472 and DS497). The panel circulated its report on Aug. 30 (here).
- WTO launches 2017 World Trade Report on trade, technology and jobs. Technology and trade have propelled the global economy through a period of great dynamism over the past quarter of a century but – as with any economic advance – there has also been disruption. The 2017 edition of the WTO’s flagship publication, the World Trade Report, examines how technology and trade affect labour markets. The Report, launched Sept. 27 at the WTO Public Forum, notes that continued economic progress hinges on the ability of societies to remain open to trade and technological advance, while also being able to adjust, adapt and promote greater inclusiveness (here).
- Role of trade key in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. Trade will play a key role in achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and both governments and the private sector need to be more active in ensuring trade’s full potential in contributing to these goals, speakers at the WTO’s annual Public Forum said (here).
- ICC and WTO announce first successful proposal under “Small Business Champions” initiative. WTO and the International Chamber of Commerce announced Sept. 27 that a proposal submitted by Google is the first to be selected under the Small Business Champions initiative. The proposal is for a video competition inviting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to share their stories, through a short video, about how they have used internet technologies to participate in trade. The competition will be called the “Small Businesses Going Global Video Challenge” (here).
- WTO hosts first thematic course on trade in value-added terms, focusing on Africa. Some 30 officials from Africa and other regions took part in the WTO’s first thematic course on “Trade in Value Added and Global Value Chains, with emphasis on Africa." The course was held from Sept. 26 to 29 at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva (here).
- Public Forum looks into how to create an open and inclusive trading system for all. What needs to be done to develop an open and inclusive trading system for all? What are the most effective ways to ensure women fully reap the benefits of trade? How can we ensure small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) adapt to the new ways of doing business, including e-commerce? Keynote speakers addressed these questions at the WTO Public Forum in a number of sessions involving governments, the private sector and civil society (here).