World Trade Organization

Trade policy tools can help countries increase low-carbon goods uptake by reforming import tariffs, rethinking government procurement and promoting trade facilitation, said Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 4 December. Speaking at the launch of “Trade Day” at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, DG Okonjo-Iweala stressed this thematic day should inspire world leaders to make fuller use of trade as part of the climate action toolkit.

The chair of the fisheries subsidies negotiations, Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland, on 4 December opened the final “Fish Week” of 2023 with the aim of advancing work towards an outcome by the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13). The chair presented draft language in an effort to bridge members’ views on key provisions, noting that members’ efforts this week will be crucial to achieve the goal of completing text-based work this month ahead of MC13.

The effort to combat climate change is also an opportunity for least developed countries (LDCs) to leverage their advantages and benefit from trade opportunities offered by green specialization, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam said on 3 December. Speaking at a Trade House event at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, DDG Paugam noted that many LDCs enjoy significant potential in renewable energies, low-emission agricultural production and alternatives to fossil fuel-based products. But seizing these opportunities requires a strengthened WTO, he said. His remarks are below.

The WTO Secretariat on 2 December launched a 10-point set of “Trade Policy Tools for Climate Action” at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to present governments with a toolkit to draw from in their efforts to meet global climate targets. The new publication explores how integrating the trade policy options, such as reviewing import tariffs on low-carbon solutions, into national strategies can help economies mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to its consequences.

The WTO, in collaboration with the Department of Trade of the Seychelles, held a training programme on “Trade Negotiation Skills” from 27 November to 1 December in the Seychelles.

The WTO and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) agreed on 1 December to boost cooperation and collaboration on a range of issues in the area of food and agricultural trade and climate change. The initiative comes at a time of growing crises affecting global food security and sustainable agriculture production.

WTO members agreed on 1 December 2023 on a draft decision to be submitted to trade ministers for approval at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February 2024 to help further the integration of small economies into the world trading system. Adopted at a meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development’s Dedicated Session on Small Economies, it is the first draft decision for MC13 where consensus has been forged.

Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed on 1 December the endorsement by standard setting bodies, international organizations, steel producers and industry associations of a set of principles aimed at aligning how greenhouse gas emissions are measured in the steel sector. This novel partnership was announced at a Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum roundtable on the first day of the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

At the final round of e-commerce negotiations for 2023, taking place from 27 to 30 November, the co-convenors of the talks — Australia, Japan and Singapore — drew up a roadmap for negotiations for the remainder of the year and the first quarter of 2024. Participants “parked” the negotiating text on privacy, bringing the total number of “parked” articles to 13. The co-convenors said the initiative has achieved “substantial conclusion” on several global digital trade rules that will facilitate electronic transactions and foster an open and trusted digital economy.

At a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture on 27-29 November, WTO members exchanged views on a range of issues under the committee’s work mandate, with the issue of food security once again a main focus of the discussions. Members also carried out their regular review of each other’s farm policies to ensure compliance with WTO disciplines.