WTO is a Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur and an Ashoka Global Fellow. WTO was recently appointed to the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Water Security.

WTO NEWS:

WTO MEETING ON US — CERTAIN COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELLING (COOL) REQUIREMENTS (DS384/DS386) OPENED TO THE PUBLIC
At the request of the parties in the dispute US — Cool (DS384/DS386), the Panel has agreed to open its meeting with the parties with a session open to public viewing at the International Conference Centre (CICG) in Geneva.
> News item: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/hear_ds_06aug10_e.htm

WTO OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC
Building on this success, the WTO has decided to open its doors to the public for the second time on 19 September 2010, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Throughout the day, a variety of entertainments and educational and cultural activities will be on offer.
> WTO Open Day, 19 September 2010
http://www.wto.org/english/forums_e/open_day_e/open_day10_e/open_day10_e.htm

TRADE FINANCE: HOW TO ENSURE CREDIT DURING THE FINANCIAL CRISIS?
One of the side effects of the current financial crisis is its impact on trade finance. This very secure form of credit has become more expensive or dried up completely. The lack of credit lines and trade guarantees is one important reason for the reduction in trade flows, as exporters cannot ship their merchandise without them. The impact is even more severe for developing countries. Kimberly Wiehl, Secretary-General of the Berne Union, and Steven Beck, Head of Trade Finance at the Asian Development Bank, discuss the issues with Keith Rockwell, WTO Spokesperson.
Video debate: http://www.wto.org/english/forums_e/debates_e/debate13_e.htm

THE NEW WTO BUILDING WILL BE UNOBTRUSIVE AND RESPECTFUL OF THE ENVIRONMENT
In collaboration  with the Swiss authorities, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has just selected the architecture project for the extension to the Centre William Rappard (CWR), the WTO headquarters.
Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres09_e/pr553_e.htm

LAMY: “WE MUST REMAIN EXTREMELY VIGILANT”
Director-General Pascal Lamy, in presenting his report on recent trade developments associated with the financial crisis to an informal meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on 9 February 2009, warned that with trade growth already stalled “the fragile economic prospects of every WTO Member have become especially vulnerable to the introduction of any new measure that closes off market access or distorts competition”. “This is particularly the case for developing countries,” he said.
Director-General’s introductory remarks: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/tpr_09feb09_e.htm
Audio: Director-General’s introductory remarks: http://www.wto.org/audio/2009_02_09_tprb_lamy.mp3

APPELLATE BODY ISSUES ANNUAL REPORT
The Appellate Body, on 9 February 2009, released its Annual Report for 2008.
Annual Report for 2008: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/ab_annual_report08_e.doc
Communication to the DSB Chair: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/wt_ab12_e.doc

NEW WEBSITE DATABASE OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE TARIFF INFORMATION
Comprehensive information on customs duties became available to WTO website users on 9 July 2009 through a new database, the WTO Tariff Download Facility. Users can now search for members’ customs duty rates, as actually charged as well as legally bound maximums, and in many cases imports, down to a high level of detail.
News item: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/tar_09jul09_e.htm
 

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