The second review of the trade policies and practices of Cabo Verde takes place on 14 and 16 May 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Cabo Verde.

14 May 2025

Director-General Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued a joint call on 13 May to strengthen the multilateral trading system and advance meaningful reform of the WTO. DG Okonjo-Iweala met with Prime Minister Ishiba and other senior Japanese government officials in Tokyo.

13 May 2025

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, issued the following statement on 11 May following her meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Geneva.

12 May 2025

Opening remarks DDG A. Ellard

9 May 2025

WTO members marked the 30th anniversary of the Customs Valuation Agreement (CVA) on 9 May by noting the achievements of the Agreement as well as future challenges arising from digital trade. Speaking at a meeting of the Committee on Customs Valuation, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard said the challenge for members is to “ensure uniformity in interpretation and application of the Agreement in this volatile trading environment and constantly evolving business models.”

9 May 2025

Members of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender met on 9 May 2025 to discuss the results of consultations on the 2025-26 work plan and potential outcomes on trade and gender for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled to take place on 26-29 March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

9 May 2025

At its meeting on 8 May, the Committee on Import Licensing marked the 30th anniversary of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures. The Committee also reviewed 12 specific trade concerns raised by members, a record number for a Committee meeting.

8 May 2025

There is a “broad agreement” among WTO members that repositioning and reform of the organization must be a central priority for the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) due to take place in March 2026, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said on 7 May. She spoke at a meeting of the WTO’s Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) in her capacity as Chair of the body.

7 May 2025

Participants in the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and the ITA Expansion Agreement endorsed on 7 May a programme of discussions aimed at broadening the agreements’ membership and examining the ITA’s role in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and e-commerce. Members also welcomed initial steps to address classification challenges in tariff schedules for 22 IT products to ensure the effective implementation of the agreements.

7 May 2025

WTO members gathered on 5-6 May in Geneva for an in-person retreat, under the auspices of the General Council, on sustainable agriculture in the multilateral trading system. Building on contributions and support from members, the meeting provided a space for open dialogue and deeper understanding of the link between sustainable agriculture and trade.

6 May 2025