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Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | Aug 21, 2024

Director-General Okonjo-Iweala welcomes Comoros as 165th World Trade Organization (WTO) member

Comoros submitted its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies at the same time, bringing the total number of acceptances of the Agreement to 82

The 30-day countdown to Comoros's WTO membership was activated when Ambassador Sultan Chouzour handed Comoros's instrument of acceptance of the Protocol of Accession to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at a meeting of the General Council on 22 July 2024. Comoros submitted its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | Jul 19, 2024

Benin and Sierra Leone formally accept Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, bringing tally to 80

These two deposits of instruments of acceptance bring to 80 the total number of WTO members that have formally accepted the Agreemen

Benin and Sierra Leone deposited their instruments of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 19 July, advancing the tally of formal acceptances to 80. Ambassador Corinne Brunet of Benin and Ambassador Lansana Gberie of Sierra Leone presented the instruments of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Director-General Okonjo-Iweala said:…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | May 22, 2024

Director-General Okonjo-Iweala cites members’ desire to complete unfinished business from MC13

WTO members are eager to complete the unfinished business pending from the organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi earlier this year

Speaking in her role as Chair of the WTO's Trade Negotiations Committee, DG Okonjo-Iweala said consultations she has held with members and groups of members since the last General Council meeting in March to hear their thoughts on moving forward post-MC13 demonstrated a “constructive spirit”, with everyone “eager to complete…

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Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | May 14, 2024

Mauritius formally accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Mauritius deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 13 May, advancing the tally of formal acceptances to 75. Ambassador Usha Chandnee Dwarka-Canabady presented Mauritius's instrument of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Director-General Okonjo-Iweala said: “I warmly welcome the formal acceptance by Mauritius of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This is a concrete demonstration of Mauritius's commitment to the WTO system and to global efforts to improve the sustainability of the world's marine fisheries. The fisheries sector has historically been an important…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | Apr 25, 2024

South Africa initiates second dispute complaint regarding European Union (EU) citrus fruit measures

South Africa has requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute consultations with the European Union concerning certain aspects of the regime imposed by the European Union on the importation of South African citrus fruit; The request was circulated to WTO members on 24 April

South Africa is challenging the EU's prohibition on the importation of South African citrus fruit affected by the fungus “citrus black spot” (Phyllotactic citricarpa). South Africa claims the EU measure appears to be inconsistent with various provisions of the WTO's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. Further information is available…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | Jan 31, 2023

Least-developed countries discuss trade priorities ahead of United Nations Conference on LDCs

Under discussion were trade impacts for countries graduating from LDC status, LDCs' regional integration and evolving trading trends in LDCs

Over 100 capital-based officials from more than 40 least-developed countries (LDCs) took part in two stocktaking consultations on the trade aspects of the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs at meetings held in January in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang said in his opening…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | Mar 16, 2022

WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala welcomes breakthrough on COVID-19 vaccine waiver

The European Union, India, South Africa and the United States is an essential element to any final deal

World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala today warmly welcomed the breakthrough among four WTO Members on a waiver of the Trade-Related Intellectual Property agreement for the production of vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is a major step forward and this compromise is the result of many long and difficult…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | Oct 20, 2020

Coronavirus: Members discuss intellectual property response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Discussion on a proposal submitted by India and South Africa for a temporary waiver of certain Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) obligations

At the meeting of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on 15-16 October 2020, WTO members discussed how best to use the global intellectual property (IP) system to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Members also discussed the extension of the transitional period for least developed countries (LDCs)…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | Oct 12, 2020

Coronavirus: Trade has a role to play in making the COVID-19 response more effective, says Deputy Directors-General (DDG) Agah

An opportunity for the trading system to emerge stronger from this crisis and better-equipped to respond to the aspirations of all members

On behalf of the four Deputy Directors-General, DDG Agah addressed heads of WTO member delegations on 12 October and emphasised “the importance of open and predictable markets to foster a strong and inclusive recovery for all countries”. In his remarks he highlighted the work done by the DDGs to ensure…

Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) | Sep 09, 2020

Coronavirus - Africa: Members to debate how Aid for Trade can address COVID-19 impact on developing countries

At the meeting, WTO members agreed to extend the period for implementing the current Aid for Trade work programme

An informal meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development dedicated to the Aid for Trade initiative will be held on 14 September to discuss how to take account of the trade and development challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. WTO members will discuss how the WTO-led initiative can help…

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