Let's talk trade by WTO

Over the past 30 years, economic growth has improved living conditions for many people. However, not all individuals, regions and economies have benefited equally from the changes brought about by more open trade. The World Trade Report 2024 highlights trade’s role in supporting inclusiveness across and within economies. It was launched during the opening day of the 2024 WTO Public Forum by Ralph Ossa, Chief Economist of the World Trade Organization. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala gave opening remarks.  Watch the full session here.For more details about the World Trade Report 2024 and to download the publication, visit this link. Speakers in this podcast:  Peter Vanham, moderatorBusiness Journalist and Author, Fortune magazine Ngozi Okonjo-IwealaDirector-General of the WTO Ralph OssaChief Economist of the WTO Host: Javier GutiérrezCounsellor in External Relations, WTO

The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) share a long history of collaboration in promoting international trade as a driver of economic development, particularly in supporting developing countries. In the episode “The Economic Case for Inclusivity”, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, and Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, share insights from a high-level panel exploring the economic imperative of mainstreaming inclusivity policies in global trade. Speakers in this episode: James Baxter, moderator, Australia’s Permanent Representative to the WTO Ngozi Okonjo-IwealaDirector-General of the WTO Rebeca GrynspanSecretary-General of UNCTAD Host: Javier GutiérrezCounsellor in External Relations, World Trade Organization

On the last day of the Public Forum 2024, we brought together a dynamic group of young entrepreneurs and activists from around the world for the plenary debate titled “Re-globalizing trade for an inclusive tomorrow: the youth perspective”. This episode brings their concrete proposals to shape a more sustainable and inclusive global economy that better serves future generations.  Watch the full session here.Speakers in this podcast: Nicolás Albertoni, moderatorDeputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, UruguaySimon BerthoudHead of Communication and Member Engagement, Climate Alliance Switzerland Bonnie ChiuOwner and Managing Director, The Social Investment Consultancy (TSIC) Stephanie Eyram AkrumahDirector, Centre for Green Growth (CenGG) Gerardo MatteoDirector of Government Platforms, GLASS Lili VessereauTeaching Fellow, Harvard UniversityNgozi Okonjo-IwealaDirector-General, World Trade OrganizationHost: Javier GutiérrezCounsellor in External Relations, World Trade Organization

This September, during the WTO Public Forum, we looked at the WTO's achievements since 1995, and what lies ahead for the world trading system. Discussions began with a plenary called “Re-globalization: Trade in a Geopoliticized World”, co-organized with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and it brought together five of the most respected voices in international economics, to reflect on how trade remains a source of opportunities, jobs, and peaceful development, and how it benefits billions of citizens all over the world.Watch the full session here.Speakers in this podcast:Richard Baldwin, moderatorNonresident Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) Ngozi Okonjo-IwealaDirector-General, World Trade OrganizationAnabel GonzálezVice President for Countries, Inter-American Development Bank Cecilia MalmströmNonresident Senior Fellow , Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) Mari PangestuDistinguished Visiting Fellow and former Indonesia's Minister of Trade, Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) Adam PosenPresident, Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) Xiaozhun YiFormer Deputy Director General, World Trade OrganizationHost: Javier GutiérrezCounsellor in External Relations, World Trade Organization

Prominent women Christine Lagarde and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala discuss women's economic empowerment, gender balance, and the importance of female leadership. They reflect on past negotiations, explore trade policies' impact on gender equality, and stress the need for more women in leadership roles. The conversation also touches on the role of men in promoting gender equality and shares reflections on global conflicts, individual power, and hope for the future.

Food safety is a collective responsibility. Producers, businesses, , governments, and international agencies all contribute to ensuring that the food consumers receive  is safe to eat. In this podcast episode, our guest, Francis Chama of York Farms, a Zambian agricultural producer, sheds light on how his company tackles the issue of pest management. Adherence to sanitary and phytosanitary measures is key to accessing export markets explains Simon Padilla of the Standards and Trade Development Facility at the WTO. Simon offers context about the trade policies and collaborative efforts at the international level that enable businesses like York Farms to supply agricultural produce to consumers worldwide and locally. In the podcastFrancis Chama, Packhouse Manager, York Farm, Lusaka, Zambia Simon Padilla, Economic Affairs Officer, Standards and Trade Development Facility Section, Agriculture and Commodities Division, WTO  Kimonique Powell, Podcast Host, WTO Young Professional LinksExplainer video about the SPS AgreementLet's Talk Food SafetyWTO SPS Agreement WTO | Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures - text of the agreementStandards and Trade Development Facility  STDF (standardsfacility.org)False Codling Moth False codling moth, photos and article - WikipediaPest fact sheet from Stellenbosch University, South AfricaFalse Codling MothU.S. Department on AgricultureFalse Codling Moth | National Invasive Species Information Center

Minoru Nishi Jr, farmer and entrepreneur, and Esterlina Alipate, a Tongan trade official, discuss their experiences with natural disasters in Tonga. They explore the challenges faced by their country's economy and the impact on trade. The podcast emphasizes the need for collaboration to address climate change and trade issues and discusses the flexibilities within the WTO system to support disaster response and recovery.

Digitally transmitted services are the fastest-growing segment of international trade. They offer huge opportunities for SMEs in emerging markets and developing economies. But how do you convince potential clients that you offer cutting-edge IT services when your country is mainly known as an exporter of pineapples and coffee? In this episode we talk to Albán Sánchez, an IT entrepreneur from Costa Rica who decided that the way to deal with outdated perceptions of his country was to establish a business presence in his target market. Albán is joined by Antonia Carzaniga of the WTO's Trade in Services Division who puts his experience into the bigger services trade context.  In the podcast:- Albán Sánchez, Co-Founder and CEO of Lantern Technologies and LinkAmerica Labs, Costa Rica and Dallas/Texas.- Antonia Carzaniga, Counsellor, Trade in Services and Investment Division, WTO - Kimonique Powell, Podcast Host, WTO Young Professional The IT business of Albán SánchezLinkAmerica LabsCosta Rica's Trade Promotion AgencyProcomerFind out more about services trade and the WTOServices TradeThe future of services tradeWorld Trade Report 2019The contribution of services to economic growth and developmentTrade in services for development

Cocoa is an important export crop for West African countries. Yet, many of the smallholder cocoa farmers struggle to earn a decent livelihood. Assata Doumbia, president of the ECAM cooperative in Côte d'Ivoire, applies a mix of strategies to obtain higher and more predictable incomes for her fellow farmers. The cooperative works with trusted international partners, invests in improving productivity and enables women to join the workforce. Assata even tackles the challenge of moving up the cocoa value chain through a cacao-processing business. In this podcast episode, she is joined by Kobby Bandoh, Economic Affairs Officer in the Agriculture and Commodities Division of the WTO.  In the podcast:- Assata Doumbia, President of the ECAM cooperative (Entreprise Coopérative des Agriculteurs de Méagui) and founder of "La Paysanne" - Kobby Bandoh, Economic Affairs Officer in the Agriculture and Commodities Division of the WTO- Kimonique Powell, Podcast Host, WTO Young Professional Links :Website of the ECAM Cooperative (in French)https://www.ecam-meagui.com/ Tony's Chocolonely, a Netherlands-based chocolate producer, and a major business partner of ECAMhttps://tonyschocolonely.com/nl/en/strong-farmers-professional-cooperatives The chapter on "Cacao" is co-authored by podcast host Kimonique PowellSustainable Production and Trade: Perspectives from the Commonwealth A report about how voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can enhance farmers' livelihoods, promote trade, and provide price transparency across value chains.Global Market Report: Cocoa prices and sustainability | International Institute for Sustainable Development (iisd.org) Reorganizing the cocoa farming business to enable farmers to obtain higher prices:Cocoa Industry: Integrating Small Farmers into the Global Value Chain | UNCTAD One example of a certification scheme that monitors social, economic, and environmental standards in the cocoa sectorCocoa - (fairtrade.net) 

Lack of information about export procedures is a known obstacle to trade for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. But there are learning tools available to get newcomers started. Confronted with the need to cut costs during the pandemic, Natali Tjahjadi, Operational Manager of CV Triguna Widya, a garment manufacturer in Bali, Indonesia, took things into her own hands. In this episode, Natali talks about her learning experience and the thrill she gets from successfully handling trade-related paperwork herself. Kathryn Lundquist, economic affairs officer at the WTO, joins in to fit Natali's experience into the bigger picture of small businesses in international trade.  In the podcast:- Natali Tjahjadi, Operating Manager, CV Triguna Widya, a garment manufacturer in Bali, Indonesia.- Kathryn Lundquist, Economic Affairs Officer at the WTO- Kimonique Powell, podcast host, WTO Young Professional The Global Trade Helpdesk  is a multi-agency initiative jointly led by ITC, UNCTAD, and the WTO that aims to simplify market research for companies, and especially micro, small and medium Enterprises (MSMEs), by integrating trade and business information into a single online portal. Another gateway to trade information is trade4msmes.org with guides and resources for MSMEs, policymakers, and researchers on topics of international trade.This website also includes a Trade Game.Learn about what the WTO does for Small business and trade More about Natali Tjahjadi's family business CV. Widya Triguna