Let's talk trade by WTO

A recap of the Ministerial Conferences in Geneva (2011), Bali (2013), Nairobi (2015) and Buenos Aires (2017). Stories by Aegyoung Jung, Dan Pruzin, Nora Neufeld, Stefania Bernabè, Victor do Prado.

Stories from the Ministerial Conferences in Doha (2001), Cancún (2003), Hong Kong (2005) and Geneva (2009). Told by Bernie Kuiten, Dan Pruzin, Edwini Kessie, Emmanuelle Ganne, Keith Rockwell, Nora Neufeld, Peter Pedersen, and Willy Alfaro.

We look back at the first three ministerial conferences held in Singapore (1996), Geneva (1998) and Seattle (1999). With stories from Anabel González, Bernie Kuiten, and Keith Rockwell.

After facing many obstacles to set up her own business in Kenya, Farhia decided to create a training company to help young entrepreneurs navigate these obstacles. Faced with COVID-19 disruptions, she found creative ways to keep going – also reaching new clients abroad. The WTO’s Public Forum Coordinator Vonai Muyambo talks about youth and trade, and the lessons of this year’s event.

As demand for medical products rose with the COVID-19 pandemic, Sören from Austria adapted the plastic recycling machine invented by him and his friends to produce face shields – also for export. Simon Neumueller from the WTO discusses how trade in medical products has adapted with the pandemic. Hosted by WTO’s Daniel Ramos, who discusses sustainability in trade.

Oumar had a successful exporting business from Mali to North America. Disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made him rethink his business model, and focus on intra-African trade. Annette Ssemuwemba from the Enhanced Integrated Framework discusses how the poorest countries have been affected by COVID-19.

As the Brazilian cosmetics company where Rafaela worked took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen their online business, they also took the bold step to enter new markets overseas. She tells us about the process to register these products abroad. WTO’s Devin McDaniels discusses the importance of trade in safe products.

Maheen’s in-person tutoring business in Pakistan was put in jeopardy by COVID-19 lockdowns. By shifting her business online, she was able to reach new customers abroad. WTO’s Antonia Carzaniga talks about trade in services during the pandemic.

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced Josefina from Mexico to close her physical shop, e-commerce gave her hammock business a new lifeline. WTO’s Kathryn Lundquist talks about the effect of the pandemic for smaller business.

Coming soon: Let's Talk Trade, a podcast by the World Trade Organization.