WTO News

1. WTO Secretariat launches trade policy toolkit at COP28 to support action on climate goals

   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.

2. Heads of WTO, FAO sign agreement to boost cooperation on trade, food and climate change

   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.

3. WTO concludes training programme in the Seychelles

   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.

4. Director-General welcomes Steel Standards Principles for decarbonization, launched at COP28

   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.

5. WTO members review farm policies, discuss food security, technology transfer

   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.