Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Set to Become W.T.O.’s First Female Leader Her path was cleared after Yoo Myung-hee, the South Korean trade minister, announced she was withdrawing from consideration to head the World Trade Organization. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, an economist and former finance minister of Nigeria, appears set to become the next director general of the World Trade Organization, with the Biden administration announcing its “strong support” for her candidacy on Friday. She would

Great to see 3 Women Trade Leaders in the shortlist for the next WTO DG with strong representation from Africa and Asia. The WTO took another step towards selecting its next Director-General as General Council Chair David Walker of New Zealand and his two co-facilitators in the selection process disclosed which of the eight candidates(*) had secured the broadest and deepest support from the WTO membership and should consequently advance to the next stage of the process. In co

This year could end today and it would still rival the most challenging periods for the international trading system. But the next 3 1/2 months may bring even more potential disruptions that could secure 2020’s spot as the most turbulent in modern history. Several key events will occur that have potential to turbo-charge the global trade regime’s trajectory toward dysfunction and chaos. On the flip side, it’s possible the outcomes could help cushion the worst global recession

On May 14, 2020, then-director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevedo announced he would step down on September 1, 2020, one year before his term was set to expire. That announcement initiated a search for a replacement, which is expected to conclude in November of this year. Azevedo’s resignation added yet another challenge for the WTO to overcome during a critical moment for both the organization and the global economy. Fresh leadership with a bold ap

Azevedo has claimed success on issues like a Trade Facilitation Agreement aimed to cut through delays in trade. But on his watch, the WTO also failed to conclude the Doha Development Agenda. After acting as the custodian for the 164-member inter-governmental trade organisation for the past seven years, one would think it wouldn’t be that easy to go from trying to straighten a sinking ship to working for a profit-making multinational company that produces sugary drinks. But th

A new information note published by the WTO Secretariat highlights how trade in goods and services has been affected by temporary border closures and travel restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key points International trade and investment have always relied on the cross-border mobility of individuals. To contain the spread of COVID-19, many WTO members imposed temporary border closures and travel restrictions. The severe restrictions on cross-border movement are not

Interesting perspectives by DMITRY GROZOUBINSKI, The Lowy Institute ahead of WTO elections and at a critical time for the revitalisation of this key organisation: At a time when stability and predictability are needed most, the body at the heart of the rules-based trading system — the World Trade Organization — is reeling from far more than just a paralysed Appellate Body and antagonistic Trump administration. KEY FINDINGS In the midst of a pandemic and escalating global prot

As nations in Asia adapt to Covid-19, regional trade conflicts, trade embargoes and new trade deals, accurate trade intelligence is becoming a critical, precious and essential asset. US trade intelligence company Trade Data Monitor Inc (US) has signed an Memorandum Of Understanding with KW Group (Malaysia) to support their growth and business development in the Asia Pacific region. US-based Trade Data Monitor (TDM) publishes the official monthly trade statistics of over a hun

With the nomination of two hugely credible female candidates and representation from Latin America, Africa, Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific could we see the emergence of a new paradigm in global trade leadership? The following candidates have been nominated by their respective governments for the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced he will step down on 31 August 2020. The candidates are listed in the

Interesting insights By Krasna Bobenrieth When COVID-19 first started to garner attention at the beginning of 2020, nobody foresaw the widespread health, economic and social impact it would have. While the world has experienced terrible pandemics before, it’s hard to remember one with such far reaching consequences in our lives, societies and economies, and that affected so many different parts of the world in such a short time. The region has already been experiencing trade

Recommendations by GTDW Speaker Ziyang Fan Head of Digital Trade, World Economic Forum & Mike Gallaher The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies and services, which have kept trade flowing even as movement has been restricted. This has highlighted the need to modernize trade rules and reverse the trend of digital protectionism. Modernizing digital trade rules will advance digital trade and create more jobs, human connections and creativity in

The World Trade Organization’s Director General, Roberto Azevêdo announced his resignation effective 31 August of this year. His tenure will end three years into his second four year term which was otherwise due to expire in 2021. Azevêdo’s departure annouoncement comes in a week where a bill to withdraw the United States from the organization was introduced in the US House of Representatives by the Democratic Chairs of the Transportation & Infrastructure, and Energy and Comm

The heads of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued a joint statement on 6 April pledging to work together to facilitate trade in essential goods such as medical supplies, food, and energy. WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya and WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said the two organizations would work closely together to minimize disruption to cross-border trade in goods – in particular those essential to combat the COVID-19

Coalition of CSOs in Ghana has called on President Nana Akuffo-Addo to as a matter of urgency intervene and stop the Ghana Link/UNIPASS contract agreement with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. According to the group the UNIPASS deal is a total 'rip off' which would not serve the best interest of the country, adding that "it is a serious affront to the Trade Facilitation arrangement of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)". The members of the Coalition of Civil Society Organi

''Leveraging Data & Innovative Technologies to Comply with Trade Regulations, Mitigate Risks & Maintain Operating Margins in an Increasingly Uncertain Cross-Border Trade Environment" As part of the preparations for GTDW China Trade Development Forum, June, Shanghai we are pleased to announce the Trade Compliance Leaders Panel Discussion and welcome top international speakers; Dr Ali Salamat, Economic Adviser-Trade Economist, the Directorate of International Trade, Oceans and

Three years since the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) entered into force on 22 February 2017, WTO members have continued to make steady progress in its implementation. Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, on the occasion of the TFA’s third anniversary, welcomed members’ efforts to ensure traders can reap the full benefits of the Agreement. The TFA, the first multilateral deal concluded in the 25-year history of the WTO, contains members' commitments to expedite the movement,

Excellent approach by S.Korea Customs as a driver for cross border trade. SOUTH Korea hopes to be a leader in global customs services by offering solutions to complex international clearance procedures. South Korea Customs Service (KCS) chief Kim Yung Moon said the agency hopes it can help foster trade relations between local businesses and partner nations worldwide. In an interview with the Korea Times, he said the agency would continue to devote its manpower and resources t

The World Trade Organization is partnering with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and World Customs Organization (WCO) in an initiative which will enable firms to take fuller advantages of benefits under free trade agreements and preferential trade arrangements by helping them comply with product rules of origin requirements. Presented to WTO members at a 17 October meeting of the Committee on Rules of Origin, the Rules of Origin Facilitator provides firms with free access