Date: 10 – 13 September 2024
Venue: World Trade Organization, Geneva
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is set to host its largest outreach event, the Public Forum, from September 10 to 13, 2024, at its headquarters in Geneva. The 2024 theme, “Re-globalization: Better Trade for a Better World,” underscores the urgent need to recalibrate global trade to foster inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability.
Understanding the Theme
Since the establishment of the WTO in 1995, global trade has witnessed unprecedented growth, lifting 1.5 billion people out of extreme poverty and providing numerous opportunities for businesses and individuals worldwide. This multilateral trading system has been instrumental in transforming lives, opening new markets, and creating high-paying jobs. Consumers now enjoy a vast array of products and services, highlighting the interconnectedness that trade brings.
However, the benefits of this trade expansion have not been uniformly distributed. Inequality has risen, and underserved communities, including women and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), have not seen proportional gains. The digital divide has widened, further marginalizing those without access to modern technologies. Amid these challenges, the global economy stands at an inflection point, presenting an opportunity to reshape globalization on more equitable lines.
The Sub-Themes
To address these pressing issues, the Public Forum will explore three critical sub-themes:
- Green Policies to Maximize the Benefits of Trade: This sub-theme will focus on integrating environmental considerations into trade policies. By promoting sustainable practices, the WTO aims to ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of our planet. Discussions will revolve around how trade can support environmental goals and the transition to a green economy.
- Services Trade to Build Progress and Enhance Welfare: The services sector, encompassing everything from healthcare to education to finance, is a vital component of modern economies. This sub-theme will examine how enhancing trade in services can drive progress, improve living standards, and create job opportunities. Special attention will be given to how service trade can be a tool for development in both developed and developing nations.
- Digitalization as a Catalyst for Inclusive Trade: Digital technologies have the potential to bridge gaps and bring marginalized communities into the global economy. This sub-theme will explore how digitalization can facilitate more inclusive trade, empower small businesses, and reduce barriers to market entry. Emphasis will be placed on closing the digital divide and ensuring that technological advancements benefit all.
Public Forum Background
The WTO Public Forum is a premier event that attracts over 2,000 participants each year from diverse sectors, including civil society, academia, business, government, international organizations, and the media. It serves as a unique platform for stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in global trade and propose ways to enhance the multilateral trading system.
The forum’s interactive sessions, panel discussions, and workshops provide a space for exchanging ideas and forging partnerships. Participants will engage in debates on how to make trade more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, reflecting the forum’s commitment to shaping a better world through better trade.
Registration Details
To participate in this crucial dialogue on the future of global trade, interested stakeholders must register by 11:59pm (Geneva Time) on August 23, 2024. The registration process is essential for managing the large number of attendees and ensuring a productive and organized event.
Please click here to register for this awaited event.
The Path Forward
As we approach the WTO Public Forum 2024, it is clear that the global trading system stands at a crossroads. The theme, “Re-globalization: Better Trade for a Better World,” calls for a rethinking of how trade policies are crafted and implemented. By incorporating inclusive and sustainable practices, we can create a trading system that not only drives economic growth but also promotes social equity and environmental stewardship.
The discussions and outcomes of the 2024 Public Forum will be pivotal in guiding the WTO’s future actions and policies. As we come together to debate and deliberate, the shared goal is to harness the power of trade to create a world that is prosperous, fair, and sustainable for all.
Join us in Geneva from September 10 to 13, 2024, to be part of this transformative event and contribute to shaping the future of global trade. Together, we can achieve better trade for a better world.
Register here to attend this awaited event.