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.
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).
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.
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.
At a meeting of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) on 25 June, WTO members reviewed five regional trade agreements (RTAs) involving 17 members and two non-members. They also reviewed other topics relevant to the Committee's work under the Transparency Mechanism for RTAs. At the request of members, the Committee heard presentations on approaches with respect to trade and gender provisions in various members' RTAs.
At a meeting held on 24-26 June, the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Committee) addressed a record number of SPS-related trade concerns raised by members impacting trade in food products. The Committee also received readouts regarding work on transparency and agreed to renew a mentoring system for SPS officials in developing and least-developed countries.
At a meeting of the Committee on Government Procurement on 24 June, parties to the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) 2012 welcomed Uruguay as its 39th observer. The Committee also discussed accessions to the GPA 2012 and issues concerning implementation of the Agreement. A side event marked the 10th anniversary of Moldova and Ukraine becoming parties to the GPA 2012.
The sixth review of the trade policies and practices of the Philippines takes place on 24 and 26 June 2026. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of the Philippines.
The Information Technology Agreement (ITA) Committee on 23 June held a thematic session featuring presentations from public and private sector experts on how the ITA can be harnessed to enhance access to AI-enabling technologies, particularly for developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs). The session aimed to enhance awareness of AI's high dependence on information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, and how eliminating tariffs on hardware – such as chips and servers – under the ITA helps reduce costs, accelerates the deployment of frontier technologies and stimulates inward investment in this sector.
Speaking at the Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit on 23 June 2026 in Rome, WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill underscored the role of international trade in cushioning the impact of global disruptions. Since the early 2020s, she observed, economic shocks and disruptions to shipping routes have become a recurring feature of the global trading landscape, though the system has shown resilience in absorbing and adapting to these shocks.
The final oral round of the 24th edition of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition on WTO Law opened on 23 June, bringing together 24 student teams from 13 WTO members to compete in Geneva. The WTO Dispute Settlement Body Chair, Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota of Brazil, welcomed the students participating in the week-long round, which will see teams present arguments before panels of WTO law experts, culminating in the grand final to be held between two teams on Saturday, 27 June.
The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting on 23 June to a request from China for the establishment of a panel to review measures in India affecting imports of solar cells, solar modules and information technology goods. The DSB Chair, Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota (Brazil), convened an informal discussion after the meeting to take stock of members' positions on dispute settlement reform.
Speaking at the 24th Seoul International Forum on Trade Remedies on 23 June, WTO Deputy Director-General DJ Nordquist underscored the importance of transparent and predictable trade remedy practices in a period of heightened uncertainty for the global trading system. She highlighted the continued resilience of global trade, the growing use of trade remedy instruments by members, and the need for WTO reform to ensure that the multilateral trading system remains responsive to contemporary economic realities and emerging trade challenges. Her full remarks are below.
The Committee on Balance of Payments Restrictions (BOP) held consultations on 22 June 2026 to discuss a 10% import surcharge adopted by the United States to address its BOP deficit. WTO members heard a statement from the United States. They also considered a statement of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the US BOP situation and a background note prepared by the WTO Secretariat. The United States responded to members’ questions and indicated that the temporary measure is expected to expire on 24 July 2026.
Taking place from 29 to 30 October at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva, the 2026 Global Review will spotlight how stronger partnerships can help developing economies and least-developed countries turn trade opportunities into economic growth, jobs and better lives. The event will bring together trade and development practitioners, including ministers, heads of international organizations and experts.
The 2025 cohort of WTO Young Trade Leaders concluded their year of activities on 18 June, issuing a report on the future of the WTO at an event in Geneva and meeting with Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The visit was organized in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).
Artificial intelligence (AI), digitalization and technology are having a profound impact on intellectual property right protections, but how can the framework of international law keep pace with innovations? That is one question that 120 academics, researchers and policy makers debated on 18-19 June in Geneva, Switzerland. The two-day event was part of the 5th IP Researchers Europe (IPRE) Conference organized by the Faculty of Law, University of Geneva, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the WTO.
On 5 July 2026, the WTO will welcome the public to its headquarters in Geneva to mark the 100th anniversary of the WTO's home (Centre William Rappard). The Open Day offers an opportunity for visitors to explore this historic building and its artworks and to enjoy a range of activities taking place on the lakeside terrace.
When I took up the position of WTO Chief Economist in January 2026, I knew that the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference, known as MC14, would be important for the future of the organization. Held at the end of March in Yaoundé, Cameroon, MC14 was my first Ministerial and therefore my first opportunity to see, at close range, how members would use this moment not only to negotiate, but also to take stock of the institution itself. I returned from Yaoundé with a clearer sense of where the institution now stands.
The deadline for submitting proposals for this year’s Public Forum — entitled Powering the Future — has been extended to 17 June 2026. Individuals interested in organizing sessions at the Forum, to be held from 15 to 17 September, are invited to complete an online application form.
