The pandemic has led to the biggest contraction in the region in the last 100 years, with 47 million jobs lost across the region in the second quarter of 2020.
Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff marked the 20th anniversary of Oman’s accession to the WTO on 9 November, citing the country as a “supportive and reliable partner of the WTO community.” DDG Wolff spoke at an online event to commemorate the 20th anniversary. His remarks are (...)
Participants in the negotiations for an agreement on investment facilitation for development made good progress in the third round of formal meetings held on 9-10 November 2020. Delegations showed a very high level of engagement and found common ground on various provisions of the informal (...)
The High-Level Regional Dialogue on WTO Accessions for Arab Countries on 8-10 November 2020 focused on how past and current accession processes have served as the springboard for reform and economic growth in the region. A special session marked Oman’s 20th anniversary of WTO (...)
Speaking on 8 November at the High-Level Regional Dialogue on WTO Accessions for the Arab Region hosted by the Arab Monetary Fund and Islamic Development Bank, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said the accession process has served as an effective external anchor for domestic reforms and a (...)
In remarks on 6 November to the autumn meeting of the UN Chief Executives Board, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff made the case for reinvigorated international cooperation on trade to accelerate the response to COVID-19, support the needed economic recovery and enhance economic growth and (...)
The General Council meeting scheduled for 9 November to consider the appointment of the next WTO Director-General has been postponed. Ambassador David Walker, the chair of the General Council, informed members of the decision on 6 (...)
The Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) finalised the technical work on a package of six recommendations and declarations aimed at facilitating the participation of smaller businesses in international trade at its meeting on 5 November. This package will (...)
The WTO Secretariat has published a new information note about trade issues associated with the spread of diseases of animal origin. The note maps out the international framework in place to address these issues, along with ongoing efforts to ensure safe trade in animals and animal products, (...)
The home and institution-based care sector is facing severe challenges in many countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainable investments in health and social care systems, workforces, and in decent working conditions are needed to ensure preparedness and resilience in times of crisis and (...)