Inside WTO Public Forum 2024

• Organized by IISD, The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Geneva Office, and the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the WTO.
• Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 13:30 – 14:45 CEST, Room E, WTO.

The climate is changing, and this changes everything. Over the last decade, no region has escaped extreme weather events. This session explored how to mainstream climate adaptation into trade policy. Two dialogues—one focusing on the critical linkages between national adaptation needs and trade and another on the political challenges of engaging the global trade policy community—assessed how to incorporate adaptation effectively into trade policy.
 

• Organized by Curaçao Ministry of Economic Development and the Proteus Ocean Group.
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 9:00 – 10:15 CEST, Room F, WTO.
• Alice Tipping will moderate.

This panel covered how renewable aquatic resources, like algae and microorganisms, are set to revolutionize global trade through sustainable marine bioprospecting in small island states. Key topics included boosting sustainable trade, fostering regulatory frameworks, and leveraging digital tools for innovation. Featuring success stories from places like Curaçao, this session inspired ideas for driving inclusive, sustainable growth worldwide.

• Organized by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Geneva office (FES Geneva) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP Geneva Office).
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 9:00 – 10:15 CEST, Room S3.
• Rashid S. Kaukab will participate.

This session explored the challenges developing countries face in expanding their services sectors, which are often dominated by informal, intangible activities. It focused on how the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services, originally designed for the formal economy, can be improved to better support those working in the informal sector and aid development efforts.
 

• Organized by the World Bank Group (WBG).
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 15:00 – 16:15 CEST, Room E, WTO.
• Alice Tipping will participate.

Climate change and related policies are reshaping the trade and development landscape for low- and middle-income countries. As the global response to the climate crisis intensifies, leveraging green policies to maximize trade benefits and promote sustainable practices becomes essential. Insights from the WBG report “Trade and Climate Emergency: Policy Priorities for Developing Countries” offer actionable adaptation and mitigation strategies that align with development goals. This session also explored the need for advanced economies to implement climate policies that support developing nations’ trade flows and economic growth alongside necessary technical and financial support.
 

• Organized by the Enhanced Integrated Framework.
• Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 17:00 – 18:15 CEST, Room S3, WTO.
• Ieva Baršauskaitė will participate. 

As climate change increasingly affects global trade, it is vital for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to find ways to mitigate its impact. This session explored practical tools and strategies for LDCs to integrate trade considerations into climate solutions, sharing experiences on making trade greener and investing in Aid for Trade.

• Organized by The Pew Charitable Trusts and Friends of Ocean Action/World Economic Forum.
• Friday, September 13, 2024, 13:30 – 14:45 CEST, Room E, WTO.

In line with the themes of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference and the 2024 Public Forum, this discussion focused on the environmental and societal benefits of the historic Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS). Panelists also examined the effects of further agreements on fisheries subsidies not addressed in the AFS and how the WTO's work can contribute to sustainable resource management and the economic growth of fishing communities worldwide.
 

• Organized by the Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations.
• Friday, September 13, 2024, 13:30 – 14:45 CEST, Room D, WTO.
• Ieva Baršauskaitė will participate. 

As the hydrogen economy gains momentum in the shift to low-carbon energy, the role of international trade regulations becomes increasingly important. This session explored how multilateral trade disciplines can be leveraged to accelerate the deployment of renewable hydrogen, addressing both opportunities and challenges within the current system. Experts from energy and trade sectors shared insights and case studies, aiming to identify actionable steps for consideration at the WTO.

The Public Forum is the WTO's most significant outreach event. It offers a platform for stakeholders worldwide to discuss the latest global trade developments and suggest improvements to the multilateral trading system. Each year, the event draws more than 2,000 participants from civil society, academia, business, government, international organizations, and the media.

Find out more about previous editions.
 

This year's Public Forum theme is “Re-globalization: Better Trade for a Better World.” The sub-themes of the Forum are:

• Green policies to maximize the benefits of trade

As global trade has expanded, the need for sustainable practices has become increasingly urgent. The Forum will explore how green policies can be leveraged to maximize the benefits of trade, ensuring that economic growth aligns with environmental sustainability. Integrating green policies into the multilateral trading system can promote positive environmental outcomes, support a just transition, and help create a more resilient global economy.

• Services trade to build progress and enhance welfare

The growth of the services sector is crucial for economic development, particularly for developing countries. This sub-theme will focus on how enhancing services trade can help communities prosper by creating high-paying jobs and opening new markets for businesses of all sizes. By addressing the challenges faced by the informal sector and underserved communities, the Forum aims to ensure that trade benefits are more equitably distributed.

• Digitalization as a catalyst for inclusive trade

Digitalization has revolutionized global trade, making it more interconnected and accessible. However, the digital divide remains a barrier for many, particularly in least-developed countries. This sub-theme will explore how digitalization can be harnessed as a catalyst for inclusive trade, integrating new actors into the international trading system and fostering greater peace and prosperity. By promoting digital inclusion, the Forum seeks to empower marginalized communities and ensure that the benefits of global trade are shared more broadly.
 

You can view or download the agenda here.