Speaking to ministers from the Ottawa Group of WTO members on 15 June, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said that the COVID-19 pandemic had placed additional strains on the multilateral trading system, and that pragmatic, effective cooperation at the WTO would help the global economy recover (...)
On World Day against Child Labour, Serj Tankian, a celebrated musician, calls upon all countries, governments, and partners to act decisively against child labour. He says that the pandemic can push back the progress done to get children out of child (...)
On 12 June 2020, Indonesia notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 10 June 2020 a safeguard investigation on carpets and other textile floor coverings.
The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) launched on 11 June its 2019 Annual Report. The report, “Facing the future: shaping safe trade outcomes for developing countries”, highlights how STDF champions the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and responds to emerging (...)
Persons with disabilities are among the hardest hit by the ongoing economic crisis and are more likely to lose work and have difficulties finding employment again. Measures to ensure a disability-inclusive COVID-19 response and recovery need to be taken by all stakeholders in the World of (...)
In remarks delivered virtually to the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece on 10 June, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said there is “strong and growing interest” among WTO members to craft improved multilateral trading arrangements through the process of WTO reform. “I strongly believe that the (...)
A new information note published by the WTO Secretariat looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the participation of least-developed countries (LDCs) in global trade. The note stresses that LDCs have seen a significant decline in export earnings due to decreasing demand in key markets, (...)
The world of work is being profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the threat to public health, the economic and social disruption threatens the long-term livelihoods and wellbeing of millions. The ILO and its constituents – Governments, workers and employers – are playing a (...)
ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, explains that many persons with disabilities come into the COVID-19 crisis already facing significant exclusion in all areas of the world of work. The pandemic and resulting economic shocks increase the vulnerability of persons with disabilities to further (...)