Inside WTO Public Forum 2024
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum took place from September 10 to 13, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. With the theme "Re-globalization: Better trade for a better world,” this year's event examined how re-globalization can contribute to making trade more inclusive and extend its benefits to more people and communities worldwide. IISD was there participating and hosting one session.
Since 1995, global trade has expanded significantly, lifting 1.5 billion people out of extreme poverty and creating new opportunities for how we produce and consume products and services. Yet income inequality and marginalization persist, with many communities still excluded from the benefits of this growth. As the global economy reaches an inflection point, the Forum explored the growing need to re-globalize trade more inclusively, integrate new participants into the multilateral trading system, and foster resilience, prosperity, and environmental sustainability.
Our Insights

Inside WTO Public Forum 2024: How can equity transform trade practices around the world?
Alice Tipping explains the importance and relevance of equity in various trade dimensions and how it featured prominently in many discussions at the 2024 Public Forum.

Inside WTO Public Forum 2024: What's the role of digital technologies in trade?
Rashmi Jose discusses the role of digital trade and emphasizes how companies must understand and leverage digital technologies to stay competitive in the evolving global market.

Inside WTO Public Forum 2024: Why should the trade community address environmental issues?
Ieva Baršauskaitė highlights the critical need for the trade community to address environmental issues and explains how integrating sustainability into trade policies was a key focus during the discussions at the Public Forum.

Inside WTO Public Forum 2024: How can better trade improve food security and livelihoods?
Facundo Calvo explores how improved trade practices can enhance food security and livelihoods, while also addressing the significant impact climate change has on agricultural trade issues—a key topic during the Public Forum discussions.

Inside WTO Public Forum 2024: How can trade boost sustainable development in developing countries?
Rashid Kaukab emphasizes that international trade can facilitate inclusive and sustainable development in developing countries, highlighting the importance of equitable trade practices to ensure that all stakeholders benefit from it.

WTO Joint Initiative on E-Commerce State of Play
A finalized legal text of the e-commerce joint statement initiative agreement may be within reach: this report provides an overview of how close the participants are to the finish line and what remains to be agreed on.
Will you be at the WTO Public Forum? The IISD team will be on the ground to share valuable insights on pressing global issues. Feel free to contact media@iisd.org and we will connect you with our participating experts.
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Need to Know: Why the WTO Public Forum matters
Our Team at the Public Forum:

Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe

Alice Tipping
Director, Trade and Sustainable Development

Anne Hammill
Associate Vice-President, Resilience

Ieva Baršauskaitė
Lead, Trade and the Green Transition

Hans Baumgarten
Strategic Advisor

Antoine Bonnet
Policy Advisor

Facundo Calvo
Policy Analyst, Trade and Agriculture

Tristan Irschlinger
Senior Policy Advisor, Fisheries Subsidies

Rashmi Jose
Senior Policy Advisor

Rashid S. Kaukab
Senior Specialist, Trade and Sustainable Development

Florencia Sarmiento
Policy Advisor

Maria Barral
Communications Officer