The WTO Fish Fund opened a Call for Proposals on 6 June, inviting developing and least-developed country (LDC) members that have ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to submit requests for project grants aimed at helping them implement the Agreement.

6 June 2025

At a special meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 5 June, WTO members considered a request from Canada for the establishment of a dispute panel to review additional import duties imposed by China on certain Canadian agricultural and fisheries products.

5 June 2025

The 2024-2025 period marks a peak for Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) measures requiring implementation assistance for developing and least-developed country (LDC) members, the Committee on Trade Facilitation heard at its meeting on 4-5 June. At the meeting, members focused on issues such as enhancing the transparency of TFA implementation, monitoring transit corridors and technical assistance coordination. The Committee welcomed its new Chair, Mr Edem Kossi of Togo.

5 June 2025

The WTO today (3 June 2025) introduced significant upgrades to its e-Learning platform, aimed at improving usability, security and performance for learners seeking to deepen their understanding of international trade law and the multilateral trading system.

3 June 2025

The government of China has pledged USD 600,000 (close to CHF 500,000) for 2025 to support the WTO’s Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) and Accessions Programme (also known as the China Programme). The contribution was confirmed at a signing ceremony on 3 June in Paris attended by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao.

3 June 2025

On 2 June, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received Nicaragua’s instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies from Nicaragua’s WTO Ambassador Rosalía Bohorquez Palacios. Just ten more acceptances are needed for the Agreement to enter into force.

2 June 2025

On 28 May, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received Malawi’s instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies from Malawi’s WTO Ambassador Caroline Bwanali-Mussa. Malawi brings to 100 the number of WTO members that have deposited their instrument of acceptance with the WTO.

28 May 2025

WTO members reached consensus on 27 May on a slate of names of the chairpersons for the 14 subsidiary bodies that report to the Council for Trade in Goods. The Chair of the Goods Council, Mr. Gustavo Nerio Lunazzi (Argentina), thanked delegations for their cooperation and flexibility in reaching consensus.

27 May 2025

At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 23 May, WTO members considered a request from China for the establishment of a dispute panel to review surtax measures imposed by Canada on certain products of Chinese origin, including electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products.

23 May 2025

The Netherlands is extending its partnership with the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), committing CHF 1.3 million to help developing economies enhance their sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacities. This contribution, which will enable value chain participants to strengthen compliance with international food safety, animal and plant health standards, will be distributed over two years, starting in 2025.

23 May 2025