South Africa has requested the establishment of two dispute panels to review European Union measures affecting the import of South African citrus fruit into the EU. The request was considered at a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 24 June. This is the first time that South Africa has requested the establishment of a panel under the WTO’s dispute settlement system.
The WTO Chairs Programme began its three-day Annual Conference on 24 June, bringing together participants in the Programme to explore the role of trade in reducing inequality and the importance of international collaboration within the network of academic institutions.
At the request of the parties in the dispute “United States — Anti-Dumping Measure on Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina (DS617)”, the panel has decided to open to the public its first substantive meeting on 10 and 11 July 2024. The live screening will take place at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva and remotely via livestreaming.
The latest Annual Report of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), issued on 20 June, marks the 20th anniversary of the STDF, tracing how it has evolved into a robust knowledge network and partnership of stakeholders from the public and private sector. The report outlines the STDF’s crucial work in helping developing countries comply with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, which continue to pose significant barriers to agricultural trade.
The facilitator for the negotiations on dispute settlement reform, Ambassador Usha Dwarka-Canabady of Mauritius, briefed WTO members on 20 June on the start of the formal process regarding WTO dispute settlement reform. Co-convenors appointed to assist the process also briefed members on the discussions they held regarding the issues of appeal/review and accessibility.
At the 19 June meeting of the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE), WTO members moved forward on preparations to deepen deliberations on the intersection of global commerce and sustainability, agreeing to focus upcoming “thematic sessions” on trade-related climate measures, technology transfer, and sustainable agriculture. The decision was taken ahead of Trade and Environment Week, which the new committee chair Ambassador Erwin Bollinger of Switzerland confirmed will take place on 7-11 October. Читать дальше...
The WTO will hold its annual Workshop on Trade and Public Health in Geneva from 30 September to 4 October 2024. The deadline to submit applications is 19 July.
The twelfth review of the trade policies and practices of Canada takes place on 19 and 21 June 2024. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Canada.
Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard welcomed on 18 June student participants to the opening ceremony of the Final Oral Round of the 22nd edition of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition on WTO Law taking place at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva. She congratulated them on reaching this stage of the competition and thanked sponsors and supporters of the competition.
The International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade, launched by the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, will reward the most impactful gender responsive national trade policy, export programme or Aid for Trade project implemented by WTO members and observer governments in support of women’s inclusion in trade. The deadline for applications is 15 July.
