The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei) has given USD 100,000 (just over CHF 80,000) to the WTO's Global Trust Fund for 2025 to finance technical assistance and training programmes for government officials from developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs).

16 December 2025

At the opening of a 16-17 December General Council meeting, WTO members elected H.E. Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, Minister of Trade of Cameroon, as Chair of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). MC14 will take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon on 26-29 March 2026.

16 December 2025

Global value chains (GVCs) have been resilient in the face of rising geopolitical tensions, financial uncertainty, climate pressures and the COVID-19 pandemic according to the GVC Development Report 2025 launched at the WTO on 15 December. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said at the launch event that forward-thinking approaches are vital amid the ongoing shifts to ensure more people and economies are integrated into GVCs.

15 December 2025

At the 12 December meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC), Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the chairs of negotiating bodies under the TNC reported on prospects for ministerial decisions at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled for 26-29 March in Yaoundé, Cameroon. DG Okonjo-Iweala, who chairs the TNC, underscored the importance of delivering a manageable and meaningful agenda for MC14.

12 December 2025

At a series of services meetings, held during the week of 9 December, the WTO Council for Trade in Services and its subsidiary bodies discussed green services, facilitating cross-border remittance transfers, and the classification of environmental services among other issues. Members also reviewed progress on efforts to help least developed countries (LDCs) participate more effectively in services trade and addressed various trade concerns raised by members.

12 December 2025

On 11 December, the first National Forum dedicated to Ethiopia's WTO accession negotiations was held in Addis Ababa with the participation of senior Ethiopian government officials, representatives from the private sector and from the diplomatic community, and the WTO Secretariat. Underscoring the benefits of WTO membership to Ethiopia's trade and economic development, Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh confirmed his government's commitment to completing the negotiations as soon as possible. The forum was entitled "Integrating Ethiopia, Transforming Trade".

11 December 2025

The WTO Secretariat and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on 11 December released the findings of a joint survey on how businesses are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to support trade-related activities. The survey — which gathered responses from 158 firms of varying sizes across diverse industries, regions and levels of economic development — highlights AI's potential to foster more inclusive participation in global trade and underscores the critical need to address gaps in AI adoption.

11 December 2025

Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 11 December praised the contributions of the 19 participants in the 2025 Young Professionals Programme at a farewell ceremony marking the conclusion of this year's programme.

11 December 2025

The second review of the trade policies and practices of Vanuatu takes place on 10 and 12 December 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Vanuatu.

10 December 2025

A two-day event in Nairobi on 10-11 December convened by the WTO Secretariat and partner organizations is allowing participants from the public and private sector to exchange views and examine how improved cooperation on standards can help remove barriers to trade and unlock Africa's export potential in the agricultural sector.

10 December 2025