A new study on the WTO accession experiences of Arab countries was launched on 6 July 2026, drawing lessons from past and ongoing accession processes of countries in the Arab region. The study is aimed at providing insights to Arab governments in the process of seeking WTO membership, examining the challenges associated with WTO accession for Arab economies and identifying approaches for advancing accession negotiations. It is co-published by the WTO Secretariat, the Islamic Development Bank, the Arab Monetary Fund and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade.

6 July 2026

A new report published today, 2 July, by the WTO and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) examines the transformative impact of digital trade on global economic structures, with a particular focus on how fit-for-purpose regulatory frameworks can support inclusive growth. The report explores the challenges and opportunities arising from the rapid digitalization of trade and considers how the digital divide between countries can be narrowed.

2 July 2026

The WTO Fish Fund will provide grants to an additional 17 developing and least-developed country (LDC) WTO members to help them implement the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, as approved by the WTO Fish Fund Steering Committee at its seventh meeting held on 2 and 3 July. The new grants, totalling nearly USD 2.2 million, were approved under the Fund's second Call for Proposals, which closed on 8 May.

2 July 2026

The WTO has announced the candidates selected for the 2026 Young Trade Leaders Programme, an initiative launched two years ago to foster a better understanding of the WTO's work and international trade among young people. Seven individuals have been selected to form the latest cohort, who will begin immediately for a period of one year.

1 July 2026

1 July 2026

Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala issued a call on 1 July for deeper engagement between WTO members and academics, research institutes and other stakeholders in order to help advance ongoing discussions on WTO reform. Speaking at the opening of the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) Annual Conference in Geneva, she highlighted the value of external perspectives in supporting members’ efforts to modernise and strengthen the multilateral trading system.

1 July 2026

The WTO published on 29 June the 2026 edition of World Tariff Profiles, an annual publication providing comprehensive information on tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by over 150 economies. It is a joint publication with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

29 June 2026

On 29 June, the Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and partner organizations announced the 2026 Small Business Champions. During meetings on 29 and 30 June, the Group held a thematic discussion on empowering small businesses to trade through artificial intelligence (AI) and continued a regular spotlight of small business leaders, among other key topics. The Group convened its annual consultations with the private sector, focusing on ways to help small businesses navigate trade uncertainties. Members welcomed Ghana as the 106th MSME Group member.

29 June 2026

The WTO co-hosted the Final Oral Round of the 24th edition of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition on WTO Law between 23 and 27 June. The University of Nairobi Faculty of Law, Kenya, emerged as the overall winner of the competition, with the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, finishing as the runner-up.

27 June 2026

At a heads of delegation meeting on 26 June, the General Council Chair Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand outlined the next steps for moving to the substantive phase of WTO reform, including indicative checkpoints to monitor progress. Reporting on her consultations with members, the Chair noted that many members underlined the urgency and importance of the work on WTO reform. She said that facilitators have been identified for the main areas of reform work, based on members' nominations.

26 June 2026