In a bid to strengthen trade and development policies, members of the World Trade Organisation made significant progress in key discussions at a Committee on Trade and Development meeting held recently.
According to a statement by the WTO, the meeting focused on special and differential treatment provisions for developing economies, e-commerce, WTO technical assistance and capacity-building, and duty-free quota-free market access for least-developed countries.
At the meeting, it was noted that the WTO members examined special and differential treatment provisions across various agreements, guided by an analysis from the WTO Secretariat.
“These provisions are vital mechanisms designed to support developing economies by granting them greater flexibility in implementing trade commitments. Members welcomed the insights provided and called for further evaluation of additional provisions to ensure a more inclusive global trade system,” it stated.
The committee also revisited discussions on the Gulf Cooperation Council Customs Union, analysing how it aligned with existing WTO rules.
“With input from the WTO Secretariat, members agreed to continue examining the implications of this trading arrangement and assessing possible pathways for its formal recognition within WTO frameworks,” WTO added.
In the realm of technical assistance, the WTO’s Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation provided an update on the financial status of the Global Trust Fund.
It explained that this fund is instrumental in financing WTO-led training programmes for government officials from developing nations, enabling them to engage more effectively in international trade.
Members further highlighted the need for innovative solutions in the delivery of technical assistance and pledged to explore additional financial support based on the specific needs of beneficiary nations.
A dedicated session on small economies addressed the challenges and opportunities of e-commerce for these nations.
It mentioned that members emphasised how small economies can leverage digital trade to boost their global market presence.
The WTO’s LDC Group provided updates on their ongoing request to resume preparations for the annual duty-free and quota-free market access report.
This initiative aims to monitor and review how WTO members are facilitating market access for LDCs. Delegations confirmed that consultations are underway to find an agreeable way forward.
India presented two proposals concerning the improvement of the committee’s functioning and the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce. Informal consultations on these proposals will continue among members.
As part of the meeting’s leadership restructuring, members elected Ambassador Mzukisi Qobo of South Africa as the new chair of the Committee on Trade and Development, while Ambassador Ib Petersen of Denmark was re-elected as chair of the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries.
Many small and vulnerable economies struggle with high internet costs, weak digital infrastructure, and gaps in digital literacy, limiting their participation in the global digital economy, said Ana Libertad Guzman Villeda of Guatemala.
UNCTAD highlighted efforts to support these economies, including national single windows for customs, e-commerce law upgrades, and the eTrade Reform Tracker. Expanding eTrade Readiness Assessments was also emphasised to strengthen digital capacities.
