WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
21 December 2022 
(22-9251) Page: 1/111 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Aid for Trade   
 
EIGHTH GLOBAL REVIEW OF AID FOR TRADE  
EMPOWERING CONNECTED SUSTAINABLE TRADE   
 
SUMMARY REPORT1 
27-29 July 2022  
Table of Contents  
 
ABOUT THE AID FOR TRADE GLOBAL REVIEW  ................................ ................................ .. 6 
ABOUT THIS SUMMARY REPORT  ................................ ................................ .......................  6 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 6 
SESSION 1: PRE -EVENT - INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS ON THE "HANDBOOK ON TRADE 
POLICY AND GENDER EQUALITY"  ................................ ................................ ....................  7 
ORGANIZER(S):  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ .............................  7 
SESSION 2: PRE -EVENT - AID FOR TRADE AT TIMES OF WAR  ................................ ..........  9 
ORGANIZER(S): EUROPEAN UNION ................................ ................................ ..................  9 
SESSION 3: ENHANCING TFA IMPLEMENTATION IN THE PACIFIC THROUGH 
CONNECTIVITY AND INCLUSIVENESS  ................................ ................................ ............  11 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD BANK GROUP AND AUSTRALIA  ................................ ................  11 
SESSION 4: OPENING PLENARY SESSION  ................................ ................................ ...... 13 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  13 
SESSION 5: WHAT'S BREWING? SUSTAINABLE COFFEE FROM THE LAND OF ORIGINS  .. 15 
ORGANIZER(S): INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE  ................................ .........................  15 
SESSION 6: ENHANCING DIGITAL TRADE THROUGH ICT SKILLS TRAINING AND JOB 
CREATION FOR YOUTH  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 16 
ORGANIZER(S): JAPAN AND THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE  ...............................  16 
SESSION 7: AGRICULTURAL TRADE UNDER STRAIN – RESPONDING TO NEW FOOD 
SECURITY CHALLENGES  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 18 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  18 
SESSION 8: LEVERAGING TRADE AND DIGITAL AGREEMENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  20 
 
1 This Summary Report is circulated under the responsibility of the WTO Secretariat and without 
prejudice to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO. It has been prepared 
using reports provided by the Secretariat and/or session organizers. While every care has been taken to 
faithfully and accurately reproduce the content of discussions, any error in facts or figures, is the sole 
responsibility of the author. Some m inor alterations to the texts provided by session organizers have been 
made for editing and harmonization purposes.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  ORGANIZER(S): ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK  ................................ ................................  20 
SESSION 9: BETTER TRADE FOR BETTER HEALTH: STRENGTHENING COOPERATION  
TO FIGHT ILLICIT TRADE IN MEDICAL PRODUCTS  ................................ .........................  22 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  22 
SESSION 10: WOMEN'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN A POST -PANDEMIC FUTURE: 
CAPACITY -BUILDING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY  ...............  26 
ORGANIZER(S): PERMANENT MISSION OF THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF 
TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  .........  26 
SESSION 11: CONN ECTING TO FACILITATE SAFE TRADE  ................................ ...............  27 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  27 
SESSION 12: EXAMINING GAPS IN CONNECTIVITY AND TOOLS TO EMPOWER LDCS  
IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY  ................................ ................................ ............................  29 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  LDC GROUP SUPPORTED BY SUMMIT 
ALLIANCES INTERNATIONAL - DEVELOPMENT TRADE SOLUTIONS, FINANCED BY  
TAF2+ WITH BKP  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  29 
SESSION 13: THE NORTHERN CORRIDOR GREEN PROGRAMME  ................................ ...... 31 
ORGANIZER(S): TRADEMARK EAST AFRICA  ................................ ................................ ... 31 
SESSION 14: CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT TO INCREASE WOMEN'S 
PARTICIPATION IN TRADE ................................ ................................ .............................  33 
ORGANIZER(S): UNITED KINGDOM, WORLD BANK GROUP AND INTERNATIONAL  
TRADE CENTRE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  33 
SESSION 15: PLENARY - HIGH LEVEL AGENCY AID -FOR-TRADE FOCUS SESSION  ..........  35 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  35 
SESSION 16: WTO ACCESSIONS: COORDINATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DELIVERY  
FOR FULL INTEGRATION IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM  ..............................  37 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  37 
SESSION 17: INCLUSIVE, EMPOWERING, RESILIENT, AND SUSTAINABLE TRADE,  
WTO ACADEMIC CHAIRS PROGRAMME  ................................ ................................ ...........  39 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  39 
SESSION 18: ADDRESSING THE CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGE OF SMALL ECONOMIES  ..... 41 
ORGANIZER(S): COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT  ................................ ..........................  41 
SESSION 19: TRADE'S ROLE IN ADDRESSING FOOD SECU RITY CHALLENGES IN THE 
ARAB REGION: ENVISAGED CONTRIBUTION OF THE 2ND PHASE OF THE  
AID-FOR-TRADE INITIATIVE FOR THE ARAB STATES PROGRAMME (AFTIAS 2. 0)  .........  43 
ORGANIZER(S): INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC TRADE FINANCE CORPORATION  .................  43 
SESSION 20: HOW CAN EXPORTING COUNTRIES IMPROVE UTILIZATION OF US  
TRADE PREFERENCE PROGRAMS? A CONVERSATION ON US TRADE PREFERENCE 
PROGRAMS AND RATES OF UTIL IZATION ................................ ................................ ....... 45 
ORGANIZER(S): UNITED STATES  ................................ ................................ ...................  45 
SESSION 21: IMPROVING LLDCS' CONNECTIVITY: THE ROLE OF AID FOR TRADE  ..........  47 
ORGANIZER(S): BOTSWANA, LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES GROUP,  
UNOHRLLS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  47 
SESSION 22: PARTNER'S CONFERENCE TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE  
FOR COTTON PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, TRANSFORMATION AND TRADE IN LDCS.  .... 48 
ORGANIZER(S): INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE, UNITED NATIONS C ONFERENCE  
ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION .............................  48 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  SESSION 23: WTO GENDER RESEARCH HUB THINK UP!#2: USING DATA TO  MAKE  
TRADE WORK FOR WOMEN  ................................ ................................ ............................  51 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION GENDER RESEARCH HUB  ....................  51 
SESSION 24: PROMOTING RECOVERY THROUGH DIGITIZATION AND TRADE: ROLE  
FOR PUBLIC -PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS  ................................ ................................ ...........  53 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  53 
SESSION 25: EVENING COTTON -THEMED SOCIAL EVENT  ................................ ...............  55 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  55 
SESSION 26: THE PACIFIC CASE: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PACIFIC  
AID-FOR-TRADE STRATEGY  ................................ ................................ ............................  56 
ORGANIZER(S): AUSTRALIA AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT  ............  56 
SESS ION 27: SUPPORTING INCLUSIVE E -COMMERCE CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN 
SOUTH -EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: IMPACT STORIES FROM THE GROUND  .......................  58 
ORGANIZER(S): AUSTRALIA  ................................ ................................ ..........................  58 
SESS ION 28: PLENARY: SUSTAINABLE AID FOR TRADE  ................................ .................  60 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  60 
SESSION 29: ENABLING LDCS TO IMPLEMENT THE FUTURE INVESTMENT  
FACILITATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT  ................................ ............................  62 
ORGANIZER(S): LAO PDR AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE  ................................ ... 62 
SESSION 30: ADVANCING DIGITAL SERVICES TRADE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC  .........  63 
ORGANIZER(S): ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK  ................................ ................................  63 
SESSION 31: ADVANCING THE GREEN HYDROGEN ECONOMY  ................................ ........  65 
ORGANIZER(S): GERMANY AND THE UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT 
ORGANIZATION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  65 
SESSION 32: GREENING OF AID FOR TRADE AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR 
COMPETITIVENESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  67 
ORGANIZER(S): EUROPEAN UNION, INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE, RWANDA  ..........  67 
SESSION 33: CALIBRATING AID FOR TRADE TO THE DIGITAL ERA  ................................  69 
ORGANIZER(S): COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT, ENHANCED INTEGRATED  
FRAMEWORK, WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM  ................................ ................................ ...... 69 
SESSION 34: FACILITATING SERVICES  ................................ ................................ ..........  71 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  71 
SESSION 35: IMPLEMENTING THE WTO AGREEMENT ON FISHERIES SUBSIDIES - 
CHALLENGES AND  OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPING MEMBERS  ................................ .. 73 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  73 
SESSION 36: WHAT ARE THE COMMITMENTS FOR GENDER EQUALITY IN REGIONAL 
TRADE AGREEMENTS: LAUNCH OF THE WTO GENDER -RESPONSIVE TRADE  
AGREEMENTS DATABASE  ................................ ................................ ................................  76 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  76 
SESSION 37: UNLOCKING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITH CLEAN COOKING  ..........  78 
ORGANIZER(S): CLEAN COOKING ALLIANCE  ................................ ................................ .. 78 
SESSION 38: THE ROLE OF TRADE IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE -INDUCED FRAGILITY  ...... 80 
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ...........................  80 
SESSION 39: SUSTAINABLE TRADE FINANCE  ................................ ................................ . 82 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  ORGANIZER(S): MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANK TRADE FINANCE GROUP  ............  82 
SESSION 40: EXPONENTIAL IMPACT THROUGH DIGITIZATION - THE AFRICAN STORY  . 84 
ORGANIZER(S): NIGERIA AND BANK OF INDUSTRY  ................................ ......................  84 
SESSION 41: PLASTICS, THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND OPTIONS TO MAINSTREAM 
TRADE -RELATED COOPERATION TO TACKLE PLASTIC POLLUTION IN AID FOR TRADE  .. 85 
ORGANIZER(S): DELEGATION OF ECUADOR TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  .... 85 
SESSION 42: IMPROVING DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY FOR TRADE: THE CHALLENGE  
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MSMES  ................................ ................................ .................  87 
ORGANIZER(S): INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE AND ALLIANCE FOR ETRADE 
DEVELOPMENT  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  87 
SESSION 43: PAN AFRICAN TRADE AS AN ENGINE FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC GROWTH  
AND PROSPERITY: HOW THE AFCFTA CAN ENHANCE COMPETITIVENESS AND TRADE 
WITHIN REGIONAL VALUE CHAINS  ................................ ................................ ................  89 
ORGANIZER(S): MADAGASCAR, EGYPT, UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE  
AND DEVELOPMENT  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 89 
SESSION 44: LDCS, TRADE AND CLIMATE CHANGE: HARNESSING THE  
OPPORTUNITIES OF A NET ZERO WORLD  ................................ ................................ ....... 91 
ORGANIZER(S): GERMANY, WORLD BANK GROUP AND ENHANCED INTEGRATED 
FRAMEWORK  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  91 
SESSION 45: HOW CAN GLOBAL TRADE SUPPORT THE TRANSITION TO AN  
INCLUSIVE CIRCULAR ECONOMY?  ................................ ................................ ..................  93 
ORGANIZER(S): NETHERLANDS AND CHATHAM HOUSE  ................................ .................  93 
SESSION 46: IMPROVING QUALITY ALONG AGRI -FOOD VALUE CHAINS IN AFRICA  
FOR MARKET ACCESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 95 
ORGANIZER(S): FRANCE AND THE STANDARDS AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY  .. 95 
SESSION 47: GREENING AID FOR TRADE: FUTURE PRIORITIES AND PATHWAYS FOR  
A JUST TRANSIT ION TO SUSTAINABLE TRADE  ................................ ...............................  97 
ORGANIZER(S): TESS, CUTS, THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT AND THE UNITED KINGD OM ................................ ................................ ... 97 
SESSION 48: MEETING THE CHALLENGES: STRENGTHENING THE RESILIENCE OF  
SUPPLY CHAINS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  99 
ORGANIZER(S): GERMANY  ................................ ................................ .............................  99 
SESSION 49: AFCFTA AND THE FUNDAMENTALS FOR A NEW DEVELOPMENT  
PATHWAY FOR AFRICA  ................................ ................................ ................................  101  
ORGANIZER(S): UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, INTERNATIONAL  
TRADE CENTRE  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  101  
SESSION 50: TOWARDS GREATER SYNERGIES BETWEEN AID FOR TRADE & CLIMATE 
FINANCE FRAMEWORKS FOR INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT  ..............  104  
ORGANIZER(S): FIJI AND CUTS INTERNATIONAL  ................................ ........................  104  
SESSION 51: ACCELERATING PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SD GS THROUGH  
AID FOR TRADE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  106  
ORGANIZER(S): ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO -OPERATION AND  
DEVELOPMENT  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  106  
SESSION 52: IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF GENDER PROVISIONS IN FTAS: AN  
EMPIRICAL LOOK AT THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE  ................................ .........................  108  
ORGANIZER(S): INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO AUTÓNOMO DE MÉXICO, WORLD  
TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ ................................ ................................  108  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  SESSION 53: CLOSING PLENARY  ................................ ................................ ..................  110  
ORGANIZER(S): WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  ................................ .........................  110  
 
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  ABOUT THE AID FOR TRADE GLOBAL REVIEW  
1. The Aid for Trade Global Review 2022 examined the theme of "Empowering Connected 
Sustainable Trade" . 
2. The conference took place against a backdrop of overlapping crises, with the COVID -19 
pandemic continuing to wreak havoc on human health and disrupt global trade . Economies around 
the world faced inflationary pressures, with high food a nd energy prices hitting the poor hardest and 
straining public budgets . These pressures have been further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and 
the food security problems it has created . As trade continues to play an important role in driving not 
only econ omic recovery, but also poverty reduction and women's economic empowerment, it is also 
an integral part of the transition to low -carbon growth models and a just climate transition .  
3. Against this background the Global Review discussed the role of Aid for Tr ade in supporting 
women's economic empowerment, digital connectivity and how environmentally sustainable 
development can contribute to the desired development outcomes .  
4. The conference was informed by the following reports on Aid for Trade: Aid for Trade Global 
Review  published by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Aid for Trade at a Glance 2022 , 
co-published with the Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development (OECD) . Additional 
analysis and reports were  contributed by the WTO Secretariat, regional development banks and 
other stakeholders , i.e.: Tracking illicit trade in medical products , Implementing the WTO Agreement 
on Fisheries Subsidies  (both authored by the WTO), Empowering Connected Sustainable Trade – 
AfTIAS 2 .0 by the Islamic Development Bank Group (ISDB) , and Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific 
– Leveraging Trade and Digital Agreements for Sustainable Development  by the Asian Development 
Bank (AsDB) .  
5. The event was covered extensively on the WTO website http://www .wto.org/gr2022 and on 
WTO's social media channels (@WTO @OMC_fr @OMC_es @WTOPublications) with the hashtag 
#aid4trade .  
ABOUT THIS SUMMARY RE PORT 
6. This document  brings together summary reports of the Plenary Sessions and Side Events held 
during the Aid for Trade Global Review 20 22. The summary reports of Plenary Sessions were 
prepared by the WTO Secretariat . Summary reports of Side Events were prepared by the various 
organizations that organized Side E vents  and have been minimally edited by the WTO Secretariat.  
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS  
7. The Aid for Trade Global Review 2022 was organized by the Aid -for-Trade Unit in the WTO 
Development Division . We would like to thank all the speakers and all those who organized s ide 
events during the Review . This summary report has been prepared by the Aid -for-Trade Unit of the 
Development Division, on the basis of reports prepared by the organizers of the side events and by 
various staff members from the Accessions Division, Agri culture and Commodities Division, 
Development Division, Economic Research and Statistics Division, Information and External 
Relations Division, Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation, Legal Affairs Division, Market 
Access Division, Rules Division , Standards and Trade Development Facility, Trade and Environment 
Division, Trade Policies Review Division, and the Trade in Services Division . The Development 
Division is indebted to the volunteers in the WTO Secretariat who worked tirelessly throughout t he 
event . Special gratitude is also extended to the staff of the Graphic and Event Design , Print, and 
Distribution Services Section , the Documents Management , Monitoring and Production Section , and 
the Languages Services Section (all within the Language an d Documentation Services Division) ; to 
the Conference and Visitors Service, the Interpretation Section , Facility Management Service, and 
the Security and Safety Service of the Administration and General Services Division .  
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 1: PRE -EVENT - INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS ON THE "HANDBOOK ON TRADE 
POLICY AND GENDER EQUALITY " 
ORGANIZER(S):  World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Mustapha Sadni Jallab, Chairs Programme, WTO  
PANELLISTS  
• Nicole Mensa, Special Assistant and Advisor on Gender, WTO  
• Anoush der Boghossian, Head of Trade and Gender Unit, WTO  
• Jan Yves Remy, WTO Chair, Barbados, University of the West Indies  
• Amrita Bahri, WTO Chair, Mexico, ITAM  
• Simonetta Zarrilli, Chief, Trade, Gender and Development,  United Nations Conference on 
Trade and Development  
 
Short Summary  
21. In the context of gender, the meeting communicated that the WTO Director -General's priority 
was to focus on optimizing trade opportunities for women . This could result in positive externalities 
such as new jobs, and higher living standards and incomes . The Gender Research Hub and work of 
the WTO Chairs had compiled preliminary information on trade and gender in Latin America . The 
WTO was active in gender work notably through its ded icated working group, data work and 
specialized committees highlighting the cross -cutting aspect of gender issues . Research had been 
published by the WTO Chair from Barbados who had analysed and focused on regional negotiating 
experiences in several region s of the world . The author of a chapter on Trade and Gender in the 
least developed countries (LDCs) presented recent data which highlighted how women had been 
affected by shocks notably  the pandemic . Mitigating these effect s were indirect benefits such as cash 
transfers, support for micro , small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), tourism, differed taxes , etc., 
and specific trade measures . In conclusion, the responses to questions reinforced the importance of 
using the WTO as a forum and to bring trade and gend er actors together to make an impact . But 
trade and gender equality needs to be better defined and real benefits to women can only be done 
by assessing the measures at ground level .  
Long Summary  
22.  For Nicole Mensa, Special Assistant and Advisor on Gender, WTO, fulfilling the mandate of 
the WTO called for a focus on women and on ways to optimize their trade opportunities . This had 
become a priority for the WTO Director -General . Integrating women in regional and international 
trade had a positive economic imp act as it created employment and raised living standards and 
incomes . She quoted a McKinsey report which estimated that while partially advancing women's 
equality could add USD 12 trillion to the global economy, fully advancing it could raise this figure t o 
USD 28 trillion . Another important aspect to promote their inclusion was their better integration into 
regional and global value chains: in Northern Ghana women who exported shea butter were receiving 
twice as much more money than those selling it locall y.      
23. Amrita Bahri, WTO Chair , Mexico, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) gave 
perspectives on trade and gender in Latin America . She also provided some preliminary information 
on a compilation she was working on with the support and guidance of WTO Chairs, as well as the 
WTO Gender focal point through the Gender Research Hub, explaining the need, objectives and the 
structure of the book . The report was a timely contribution to support MC12 outcomes as it helped 
to bring gender gaps an d inequalities to light . She also referred to resistance and other major 
challenges which occurred when including gender issues in trade policies and agreements .     
24. Anoush der Boghossian, Head of Trade and Gender Unit, WTO , talked about the critical role 
of gender in the WTO from a trade and regulation perspective and economic point . This happened 
through : (i) the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender; (ii) monitoring and data collection 
through the WTO trade policy review mechanism and the Aid-for-Trade monitoring and evaluation 
exercise; and (iii) specialized committees (e .g. Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary (SPS)) which also offered the opportunity to discuss trade and gender issues . She 
highlighted how the cross -cutting  nature of gender issues translated into trade policies . Education, WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  for example, was a de facto trade issue . To illustrate this, she quoted a study from the United Nations 
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) according to which 3/4 of  children who 
never went to school were girls . Without access to education, they could not participate in 
international trade in a meaningful way .  
25. Jan Yves Remy , WTO Chair, Barbados, University of the West Indies , presented the book and 
mentioned some of the chapters to which she would contribute . The book would have a regional 
focus and would provide an analysis of negotiating experiences across regions, focusing on Latin 
America, North America, the Caribbean, Asia Pacific and Africa .  
26. Simonetta Zarrilli,  Chief, Trade, Gender and Development, United Nations Conference on 
Trade and Development , discussed the chapter that she had authored in the book: "Trade and 
Gender in Least Developed Country (LDCs)" . She presented some 2020 and 2021 data for LDCs 
which h ighlighted how women had been particularly affected by the pandemic . More difficulties were 
likely to ensue as a repercussion from the war in Ukraine . She also talked about measures that had 
been temporarily put in place in LDCs and from which women could benefit indirectly (e .g. cash 
transfers, support for MSMEs, tourism and garment sector, differed taxes) . In her view, some of the 
specific trade measures would help to overcome the crises: keeping markets open, data collection 
and policy coherence .  
27. Respon ses to questions asked by the audience highlighted the importance of WTO as a forum 
in which it was possible to gain a horizontal perspective, bringing the various trade and gender 
actors together and to impact women on the ground . There w ere still issues when it came to 
accepting gender mainstreaming in trade and gender equality which needed to be better defined . 
Impact of provision and support work needed to be measured on the ground to assess women really 
benefitted .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
_______ ________  
 
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SESSION 2: PRE -EVENT - AID FOR TRADE AT TIMES OF WAR  
ORGANIZER(S): European Union  
MODERATOR: Olaf Bruns      
PANELLISTS  
• Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine – Trade Representative of Ukraine  
• Georg Ziegler, Deputy Head of the Support Group for Ukraine, European Commission    
• Pamela Coke -Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC)  
• Mona Haddad, Global Director of Trade, Investment and Competitive ness at the World 
Bank (WBG)  
• Marco Nindl, Associate Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and 
Development (EBRD), Trade Facilitation Programme   
• Aleksander Siemaszko, Deputy Director at the Department for International Trade and 
Cooperation of t he Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology  
 
Short Summary  
28.  This session covered the impact of war in Ukraine, in particular the destruction of 
infrastructure and blockade of the Black Sea ports . Speakers representing Ukraine, Poland and the 
European Union, as well as international organizations (World Bank, ITC a nd European Bank for 
Reconstruction Development (EBRD)), expressed their views on the impact of that the war had on 
Ukraine's trade  and outlined the various measures which could be put in place to mitigate the trade 
impediments faced by Ukraine . Speakers a lso expressed views on the relevance of aid for trade post 
conflict as part of reconstruction efforts .  
Long Summary  
29. Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy, Ukraine, explained that Ukraine had experienced 
major economic and trade shocks since since the s tart of the war . There were lessons to learn about 
how trade is possible and important in war conditions . Half of Ukraine's Gross Domestic Product 
(GDP) depended on trade, especially exports of commodities including grains and steel .      
30. In terms of resil ience, after 5 months of war, the economy was still operating, including a 
largely normal operation of electricity, finance, post, government functions, and railways . Private 
initiatives had allowed the rapid adjustment of trade flows, which was needed sin ce the war meant 
that only the country's western border was available for trade . Some shortages existed but remained 
bearable .     
31. In terms of vulnerabilities, he noted a major reduction in trade volumes as a result of the 
Black Sea blockage . Ukraine was looking to see how it would use transport routes through its western 
border to maximum  capacity . Disruptions had also affected world markets, as a quarter of 
international trade in corn and a tenth in wheat came from Ukraine . He noted that glob al food prices 
were high due to  Ukraine's inability to export . The big fall in exports at the start of  the war , had 
begun to stabilize, with exports slowly increasing since May 2022; 78% of exports were now going 
to the EU and were often re -exported . Ukraine wished to defend the development of international 
trade rules, as their stable application was the foundation for overcoming the challenges it faced .      
32. Georg Ziegler, Deputy Head of the Support Group for Ukraine, European Commission stated 
that the European Union (EU) had responded rapidly and massively in support of Ukraine . Ukraine 
was a neighbour and strategic partner and the war had accelerated its process of EU integration . 
The EU had provided Ukraine with a range of assistance measures sinc e the start of the war, 
including humanitarian aid and support to rebuild critical infrastructure .  
33. In relation to aid for business, he recalled the existing trade agreement between the EU and 
Ukraine . In addition, the EU accounted for around 40% of Ukrain e's trade . Although, Ukraine could 
not fully replace the blocked Black Sea ports, it had managed to increase exports of grain to the EU 
to around 50% of pre -war levels . The EU had suspended all duties on all imports originating from 
Ukraine .      WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  34. Pamela Co ke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC) remarked that, 
before the invasion, 90% of Ukraine's firms were MSMEs . The war had damage d export opportunity 
and cut off supply chains . A two -pillar plan could help alleviate the situation . First, supporting MSMEs 
in the country . This would include guiding them through processes of market access and the use of 
B2B matchmaking platforms . Second, help ing small businesses access online sales, and help ing the 
start-up sector .     
35. Mona Haddad, Gl obal Director of Trade, Investment and Competitiveness at the World Bank . 
Ms Haddad explained that the World  Bank had provided substantial ermergency  financing to ensure 
continuation of core government services in Ukraine . Maintaining these services was cr itical to 
preventing conditions from further deteriorating . Safeguarding government functions was the 
bedrock of any recovery . The World Bank had been focused on assisting in concessional loans to 
make up for the reduction in government revenues as a resul t of war .      
36. Ukraine's current need for essential services were estimated at around USD5 billion per month . 
To date the World Bank had mobilized around USD6 billion in emergency financing . Most of this had 
already been disbursed but more was expected . The World Bank was undertaking a damage 
assessment and expected to work with partners for post -war reconstruction . A report on the effect 
of the war on trade had been issued, highlighting the elevated risk of stagflation, increasing food 
insecurity, and gl obally economic through increases in energy and food prices . Finally, Ukraine's 
production fed 400 million people throughout the world .     
37. Marco Nindl, Associate Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 
(EBRD), Trade Facilitation P rogramme explained that his programmed provided guarantees, 
short-term advances or financing to banks in economies where the Bank invested . EBRD had 
provided a USD 2 billion resilience package in March 2022 to Ukraine and since February 2022 
supported over  USD140 million in trade transactions for the most crucial groups .     
38. Aleksander Siemaszko, Deputy Director at the Department for International Trade and 
Cooperation, Poland said that his country sought to assist Ukraine overcome the restrictions imposed 
on its Black Sea ports through facilitating railway transport through Poland and its ports . Poland 
would be able to meet Ukraine's monthly export needs, estimated at around 3 million tonnes . 
Cooperation had increased since the start of the war, including a  memorandum of understanding to 
strengthen cooperation in the railway sector and an agreement on exports through Polish sea ports . 
The most significant challenge faced was the difference in the rolling stock standard, requiring 
reloading at gauge changes . Overall, in 2022, the export of goods from Ukraine to Poland had 
increased by 80%. Poland had increased border checkpoints to double capacity for freight clearance 
to facilitate this .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 3: ENHANCING TFA IMPLEMENTATION IN THE PACIFIC THROUGH 
CONNECTIVITY AND INCLUSIVENESS  
ORGANIZER(S): World Bank Group and Australia  
MODERATOR: Jeremy Green, Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO, Australia  
PANELLISTS  
Opening Remarks  
• Bill Bain, Global Lead Trade Facilitation, World Bank Group  
Speakers  
• Shaheen Ali, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Tourism, Trade Unit, 
Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT), Fiji  
• Alina Monica Antoci, Senior Private Sector Development Specialist, World Bank Group  
• Lorraine M . Kauhenga, Deputy CEO, Trade Negotiation & Policy Division, MTED, Tonga  
• Domingos Lopes Antunes, Vice Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry 
(MTCI), Timo r-Leste  
 
Short Summary  
39. The session showcased the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) i mplementation  
experiences of  Fiji and Tonga and featured  perspectives from Timor -Leste . This discussion illustrated 
how the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation can enhance connectivity and 
inclusiveness across public and private sector dimensions . The roundtable panel discussion included 
distinguished country representatives and trade facilitation experts who were instrumental in 
enhancing TFA Impl ementation in the three countries . A number of lessons were shared by the panel 
to illustrate the criticality of taking a ‘Whole of Government ' and Private Sector approach ensuring 
sustainability of reform including identifying specific gender -based policy  actions to inform 
implementation modalities .  
Long Summary  
40. Trade is an important engine for socio -economic development . Trade facilitation plays an 
important role in the trading system to simplify, modernise and harmonise trading processes . 
41. Panellists dis cussed how Tonga implemented their TFA commitments, as one of the featured 
countries which had presented their implementation experience to the WTO Trade Facilitation 
Committee . Tonga has been actively involved in implementing modern customs practices in i ts 
international airports and seaports . The government  came up with a TFA Roadmap that contains a 
series of activities to be undertaken until 2029. Also, the Ministry of Trade and Economic 
Development signed a MoU with Chambers of Commerce and Industry for  implementing private -
public consultations and programs that will include relevant stakeholders from private sector to 
participate in consultations and dialogues .  
42. The panel also highlighted the developments and initiatives undertaken by the government of 
Timor -Leste under the TFA . The government of Timor -Leste undertook  trade facilitation reform s as 
a steppingstone  to WTO  accession . The Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry of Timor -Leste 
is in the process of amending the government's resolution on th e establishment of the National Trade 
Facilitation Committee that will act as a platform for consultative dialogues between the government, 
the private sector and other stakeholders . The government of Timor -Leste intends to modernize the 
country 's custom s framework in order to improve import and export processes . The major goal of 
this reform was to reduce bureaucracy, increase transparency and streamline the processes for 
import and export procedures . Furthermore, Timor -Leste has developed a nation al single window 
that will act as a link between the community of the Portuguese speaking country and the Asian 
single window . Timor -Leste has recently launched a custom s website that contains all relevant 
information on imports and exports, necessary rule s and regulations and documents needed for each 
of the processes and is available in 3 different languages .  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  43. Discussions also explored the challenges women traders face in cross -border trade . World 
Bank Group research found that there is lack of disaggregated data about  how trade facilitation 
interventions impact trade by gender, and on the proportion of cross -border traders who are women . 
In its study, it found that women traders find it more difficult to access official inf ormation on border 
processes and procedures, women are less often consulted on changes that impact on cross -border 
trade . Women are under -represented in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs and very 
few women knew about these schemes . Few women trad ers are aware that they can submit their 
documents and declarations online  and they are not aware that customs allow pre -declaration of 
shipments prior to arrival . Moreover, few of them knew that they could pay the official fees 
electronically .  
Reporter: CUTS  
_______________   WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 4: OPENING PLENARY SESSION  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Aaron Heslehurst, Business News Presenter   
Opening Remarks  
 
• Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, Director -General , World Trade Organization  
• Gerd Müller, Director -General , United Nations Industrial Development Organization  
• Mathias Cormann, Secretary -General, Organi sation for Economic Cooperation and 
Development  
 
Panellists  
 
• Pamela Coke -Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre  
• Hyginus 'Gene' Leon, President, Caribbean Development Bank  
• Hani Sonbol, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of AfTIAS Program, International Islamic 
Trade Finance Corporation  
 
Short Summary  
44.  This year 's Global Review took place against the backdrop of many simultane ous crises 
affecting the multilateral trading system . The meeting discussed three main Aid -for-Trade -related 
issues emerging from this context, namely (i) the lingering trade impact of COVID -19 and how trade 
priorities and strategies have changed in respon se; (ii) the rise of digital connectivity and 
e-commerce for companies seeking to connect to global trade and for governments seeking to 
facilitate trade; and (iii) the opportunities and risks for developing country exporters in the climate 
transition .  
Long Summary  
45. In her opening remarks, the WTO Director -General  Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala presented the 
theme of the 2022 Global Review (Empowering Connected, Sustainable Trade) and emphasized the 
importance of gathering stakeholders together to discuss how trade  is working for development and 
how development finance is supporting that process . In her view,  the Aid -for-Trade Initiative should 
aim to help develop critical trade infrastructure while supporting climate -friendly, resilient, and 
socio-economically inclusive outcomes .  
46. The Director -General  launched the 2022 Aid  for Trade Global Review Report on "Empowering, 
Connected and Sustainable Trade" and present ed its key findings . She highlighted that the WTO -
OECD M&E exercise results showed that the COVID -19 pandemic ha d prompted a readjustment of 
Aid-for-Trade priorities, with both recipients and donors citing strategies developed specifically to 
support recovery from the continued economic impact of the pandemic .  Digital connectivity had 
emerge d as an important factor for economic resilience  during the pandemic . The Director -General  
also noted that, together with e -commerce, the latter were areas where public -private partnerships 
were flourishing . She pointed out that environmental sustainabilit y ranked high as a priority, 
particularly among donors and Aid for Trade has also taken on greater importance in the context of 
grappling with climate change .  On women's economic empowerment, she observed that integrating 
gender into trade policy remains an ongoing challenge for most .   
47. The joint Aid for Trade WTO -OECD "At a Glance 2022" Report  was also introduced by the 
Director -General . She noted that Aid-for-Trade commitments had increased by 18 % in 2020, 
reaching an all -time high of USD 64 .6 billion . A total of USD 556 billion in Aid for Trade was disbursed 
between 2006 and 2020 . Moreover, she emphasized that 51 % of the Aid -for-Trade commitments 
made in 2020, worth about USD 33 billion, included climate -related objectives . She underscored the 
need to reinvigorate the multilateral trading system and highlighted the role of Aid for Trade in 
ensuring that developing and least developed countries, who had been hit so hard by the multiple 
crises, would benefit from the trade . In conclusion, she touched upon the opportunity to include the 
private sector and shift the private sector supply chains more into developing and least developed 
countries . WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  48. The WTO Director -General further suggested that the title of the Initiative be changed from 
Aid for Trade to "Invest" for Trade to change perspective and further include the private sector into 
development finance efforts. She highlighted the limits of aid and that these budgets alone would 
not meet all the challenge s faced . Such a change in  language could incentivise the private sector 
and help crowd in their funds  through public -private partnerships that would strategically enhance 
the use of aid to leverage further flows from the private sector. In addition, it could  also unleash 
innovatio n and increase the finance envelope available, boos t connectivity, etc. The current crises  
were opportunities to reshape trade and extend supply chains to include developing countries, and 
in particular the least developed  countries .  
49. In his remarks, Gerd Muller, Director -General , UNIDO stressed the centrality of trade for 
development and the importance of multilateralism to tackle the current crisis . He focused on the 
case for  fairer global trade and a  fairer economic system, including the trade and the production of 
medical products and equitable access  to them , in light of the COVID -19 pandemic . He subsequently 
focused on the need for more investment overall and the role that UNIDO can and will play in the 
future under his leadership . He identified food  security, energy and climate change, as UNIDO's key 
priorities . He lastly, emphasized the importance of binding international standards for a global supply 
chain to achieve the transition from free trade to fair trade .     
50. Mathias Cormann , Secretary -Gener al of OECD , opened his remarks by reaffirming his 
commitment to support WTO work to help ensure well -functioning global markets . He underscored 
that sustainable expansion of global trade and investment is one of the most important drivers of 
trade and sust ainable development . He then presented the joint OECD -WTO 2022 At Glance Report . 
On average, Aid -for-Trade disbursements had grown by 6 % annually including during the pandemic . 
Support for pharmaceutical production increased by 24 % in 2020 and helped to mi tigate the impact 
of the Pandemic . He also pointed out that the share of disbursement to the LDCs decreased by 5 % 
compared to 2019, accounting for 29 % of total Aid for Trade . Aid for trade was becoming less 
concessional , however . He noted that 46 % of bilat eral donors Aid -for-Trade commitments supported 
green projects and the share in Aid -for-Trade renewable projects increase d from 28 % in 2019 to 
38% in 2020 . Lastly, he emphasized the need for adopting the right tools to measure the official 
support for sust ainable development, especially in developing countries .     
51. Pamela Coke -Hamilton, Executive Director, ITC underlined the importance of ensuring that 
Aid for Trade delivered results for its ultimate beneficiaries . She touched upon the problematic 
integrati on of SMEs into the value chain, the difficulty in providing SMEs access to finance and the 
challenges faced with digital connectivity . Against this background, she underscored the importance 
of ensuring that Aid for Trade "works for SMEs" and she urged th e need to collect data and rely on 
credible platforms and intermediates . Ms Coke -Hamilton echoed DG Okonjo -Iweala's call for greater 
public -private sector cooperation to enhance the effectiveness of trade -related development 
assistance .   In this regard, s he underscored that, the biggest challenge is the lack of capacity to 
put forward bankable proposals and the inability, once those proposals are through, to actually 
execute .  
52. Hyginus 'Gene' Leon, President, CDB, discussed CDB's  lessons from previous crises and 
underscored the need for a holistic solution . He pointed out that the absence of capacity to recover 
from the COVID -19 pandemic and build resilience are the fundamental issues that need to be faced . 
He noted that trade is a key development driver and without it the ability to recover and generate 
resilience cannot occur . He also remarked that adequate and affordable finance was essential to 
advancing either the development or deployment of activities that can allow trade . He underscored 
the need for a significant shift in trade facilitation especially in connectivity and (referring to the 
situation in the Caribbean) a necessity to promote knowledge governance . In conclusion, he referred 
to climate change as an existential th reat that requires that policies and partnerships be aligned .     
53. Hani Sonbol, Chief Executive Officer, ITFC  declared that his organization was focusing its 
support on those countries most affected by the ongoing crises . He underscored that financing alone 
was not the solution to overcome crises; it needed to be combined with capacity building .  COVID -19 
has cha nged the trade landscape and the role of the State in the economy . In this regard, he also 
referred to the intervention of the private sector during the COVID -19 pandemic . Lastly, he restated 
ITFC's commitment to using trade as a tool to achieve sustainabl e development .  
Reporter: WTO 
_______________  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 5: WHAT 'S BREWING? SUSTAINABLE COFFEE FROM THE LAND OF ORIGINS  
ORGANIZER(S): International Trade centre  
SPEAKERS  
July 27th, 10:00 -11:30 a . m.: Inauguration of the pop -up coffee brew bar and presentation 
of the Coffee Guide and work in Ethiopia under the NTFV ITC -Alliances for Action project  
• Pamela Coke -Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre  (ITC) 
• Zenebe  Kebede, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Federal Democratic Republic of 
Ethiopia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva  
• Marcel Vernooij, Dutch Embassy, Deputy Permanent Representative of Netherlands to 
WTO / Head Economic & Development unit in Geneva  
 
July 28th, 10:00 -10:30 a . m.: Presentation of ITC 's popular Coffee Guide and its 
partnership approach in Ethiopia 's coffee sector .  
• Philip von der Goltz, Managing Partner of German Green Coffee Importing Company List 
+ Beisler and co-author of ITC 's Coffee Guide, 4th Edition  
•  Sarah Charles, co-author of ITC 's Coffee Guide, 4th Edition  
 
Short Summary  
Inauguration of the pop -up coffee brew bar and presentation of the Coffee Guide and work 
in Ethiopia under the NTFV ITC -Alliances for Action project  
54. This discussion focused on Ethiopia 's coffee sector and how it could shift towards more 
sustainable and com petitive models . The coffee sector in Ethiopia represented thousands of 
livelihoods, a large percentage of export earnings and occupies an important place in domestic 
consumption . Regional trade, value addition at origin, digitalization and green practices  were some 
of the transformative solutions were discussed .  
Presentation of ITC 's popular Coffee Guide and its partnership approach in Ethiopia 's 
coffee sector  
55. The speakers introduced the Coffee Guide (4th Edition)  and explained how it could be used as 
a tool for a sustainable transformation of the coffee sector . They also explained ITC 's sustainable 
agribusiness ‘Alliances for Action ' approach, based on partnerships for concrete impact, and how  
they were applied to their work in Ethiopia 's coffee sector under the Netherlands Trustfund V (NTFV) 
project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands . The discussion was followed  a 
taste of ‘coffee alliances in action ' presenting special edition coffees, sourced and roasted through 
the Coffee Network partnerships .  
Reporter:  WTO 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 6: ENHANCING DIGITAL TRADE THROUGH ICT SKILLS TRAINING AND JOB 
CREATION FOR YOUTH  
ORGANIZER(S): Japan and the International Trade Centre  
MODERATOR:  Kenya Uehara, Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in 
Geneva     
PANELLISTS  
• Akihiro  Okochi , Deputy Director -General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs of Japan  
• Ashish Shah, Director, Division of Country Programmes, International Trade Centre  
• Ikuru Nogami, Advisor, Office of the Director, Division of Country Programmes, 
International T rade Centre  
• Mohamed Muse Hassan, Director, SIMAD  University  iLab4 (Somalia)  
 
Short Summary  
56. This session presented the Digital Skills for Jobs (DS4Jobs) project funded by the Government 
of Japan and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Somalia . Through a package 
of digital, entrepreneurial and life skills training, DS4Jobs was implemented at SIMAD University in 
Mogadishu where 170 youth have been trained . The program will wrap -up in August 2022  and it has 
successfully demonstrated the op portunities digital skills can provide, not only for finding work within 
the domestic economy but also for accessing international work through freelancing platforms . The 
combined package of technical and business skills has been a successful proof of conc ept that can 
be replicated  elsewhere in the African region .  
Long Summary  
57. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Akihiro  Okochi , Deputy Director -General 
of Economic Affairs Bureau gave opening remarks . He started his statement by expressing  his 
pleasure to co -host a session with the ITC at the Aid for Trade Global Review for the first time in 
three years .    
58. He highlighted the increasing importance of the current theme of the Aid -for-Trade Work 
Programme, "Empowering Connected Sustainable Tr ade," in the wake of the Covid -19 pandemic and 
the Russian invasion of Ukraine .  Noting that digital  trade had been accelerated by the Covid -19 
pandemic, he emphasized that the ongoing digitalization of trade would enable small and medium -
sized enterprises (SMEs), people who live in remote locations, and countries that have not been able 
to fully benefit from international trade in the past to be connected to the international trading 
system . He emphasi zed the need to enable developing countries to access digital markets in order 
to ensure all countries have free and fair access to global online markets . To address these issues, 
he stressed the importance of infrastructure development, capacity -building, and technical 
assistance to enable developi ng countries to access digital markets and necessity of working together 
with the ITC and other relevant international organizations .  
59. As examples of Aid -for-Trade projects by ITC in the digital field, he referred to training and 
technical assistance in e -commerce to refugees and youth in the Gaza Strip and Somalia, which have 
been supported by Japan . He concluded his remarks by stating that Japan will continue to contribute 
to economic development and poverty reduction by improving the trade -related capaci ty of 
developing countries and will work closely with the ITC as an international organization specializing 
in Aid for Trade .     
60. On behalf of the International Trade Centre (ITC), one of the co -organizer s of the event, 
Ashish Shah, Director of the Divisio n of Country Programmes, gave opening remarks . He started his 
statement by thanking the Government of Japan for funding the very important and impactful project 
in Somalia . He highlighted that digital trade is opening up new opportunities, especially for t hose 
living in disadvantaged situations, including women, youth, and displacement -affected persons 
particularly in LDCs . His remarks underscored the potential of digital trade as a game changer for WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  such countries as it could help them overcome geographical  and logistical challenges in trade, which 
would often hinder their capability to connect with international value chains .    
61. Citing several statistics showing the rapidly growing needs for digital services in Africa, he 
said there was a strong need to inc rease the number of experts providing such services at high 
quality . Beyond the context of Africa, he referred to a range of ITC initiatives to connect small 
businesses, including entrepreneurs, with digital market opportunities .    
62. ITC ha d launched the Sw ITC-ON initiative for digital connectivity which aims to get more small 
businesses online and engaged in digital trade and entrepreneurialism through an integrated 
framework for action across the dimensions of policy, institutional and enterprise capabilit ies, and 
partnerships .  To conclude his remarks, he reiterated that the Digital Skills for Jobs project takes a 
very unique and effective approach to support vulnerable populations in the tech sector while 
meeting market demands and that with the market -driven digital skills training, young populations 
in Africa can envisage a strong and promising future .   
63. In his presentation, Ikuru Nogami, Advisor, Office of the Director, Division of Country 
Programmes . provided an overview of ITC 's Digital Skills for Job s initiative and its key interim results . 
He explained that the project was launched as an innovative solution for the lack of job opportunities 
in Somalia . By providing opportunities of capacity building for digital freelancers/entrepreneurs and 
creating market linkages, the project supported Somali youth to gain access to viable job options in 
the digital world .  
64. Mr Nogami further explained that the project, the first of its kind in Somalia, has been a great 
success with very encouraging results, includin g 170 youth trained on digital skills and 
entrepreneurship and connected to online freelancing platforms, almost 90 digital -focused start -ups 
incubated and more than USD 60,000 earned by freelancers/entrepreneurs supported through the 
project . He summarize d several key learnings and suggestions for the way forward . Particularly, he 
highlighted that the project team observed significant needs for digital skills, freelancing and 
entrepreneurship training targeted at youth communities in Somalia and that it wo uld be critical to 
scale and replicate such activities in different locations within the country including smaller towns, 
in a longer -term and at a larger scale in the future . To conclude, he reiterated that Japan 's support 
for this project was highly appr eciated not only by ITC but also by project participants and local 
partners and stakeholders including government ministries .    
65. Mohamed Muse Hassan, Director of SIMAD University iLab, ITC 's local implementation 
partners in Mogadishu, Somalia, delivered a presentation providing further details of the project 
activities and testimonials from its participants . He explained that the Digital Skills for Jobs was a 
very successful and impactful initiative by showing several success stories . In one of the stories,  a 
participant had launched a start -up providing digital services with a few other like -minded 
participants and their business started to receive inquiries from clients across the country 
immediately after launch . Another participant was supported by the p roject to win the third prize in 
a start -up pitching contest organized for university students by one of Somalia 's largest banks . 
Mr Hassan also said that the substantial engagement of local mentors was one of the reasons that 
made the project exceptionally successful . He further elaborated on the results of the project by 
noting that some project participants landed jobs in Somalia 's leading financial institutions and 
telecommunication companies .  
66. To conclude his presentation, he said that the project was a life -changing opportunity for the 
participants and a great step toward creating decent work and achieving inclusive development in 
Somalia, and thanked ITC and the Government of Japan for making this project possible .  
Reporter: Japan and the  WTO 
 
_______________  
 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 7: AGRICULTURAL TRADE UNDER STRAIN – RESPONDING TO NEW FOOD 
SECURITY CHALLENGES  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Moderator: David Shukman, Journalist, Speaker and Consultant  
PANELLISTS  
• Maximo Torero, Assistant Director -General  and Chief Economist, Food and 
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  
• Yuliya Bereshchenko, Director Business Development and International Relations, 
Astarta int egrated agriculture and food holding, Ukraine  
• Mark Bowman, Vice President Policy & Partnership, European Bank for 
Reconstruction and Development  
• Marwan Al -Refai, Secretary General, Ministry of Planning and International 
Cooperation  
• Sebastian Lesch, Head of  Division (Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains, 
International Agricultural Policy, Agriculture, Innovation), German Federal Ministry 
for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)  
 
Short Summary  
67. The session examined food security challenges caused by the  war in Ukraine and other factors 
disrupting production and trade . The panel discussed five issues regarding how to address the crisis 
and build greater resilience: (i) countries' responses to disruptions; (ii) impacts of trade restrictions 
imposed by some  countries; (iii) short - and long -term options for net food importers; (iv) role of 
international financial institutions, such as the EBRD, in preserving trade flows, supporting the 
functioning of agricultural markets, and mitigating rising risks to food s ecurity; and (v) lessons 
learned  on improving supply chains resilience and responding to future shocks .  
Long Summary  
68.  Maximo Torero, Assistant Director -General  and Chief Economist of Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO), presented the latest data and analyses regarding the impact of the war on the 
global agriculture and food markets, implications for the MENA region, and relevant policy 
recommendations . As he noted, Russia and Ukraine are main producers of agriculture commodities 
such as sunflower oil (over half of global supply), wheat (overall a quarter of global supply), as well 
as barley, maize, rapeseed oil, and soybean . Russia also plays a crucial role in agriculture inputs 
such as fertilizer and energy, being the world's top exporter of nitrogen fertilizer in 2021 .      
69. He identified four categories of risks for commodities posed by the war: (i) trade and logistical 
risks, affecting 60 % of calories traded globally; (ii) production risks due to inability to harvest, need 
to switch crops, and result ing income losses; (iii) energy risks, with price for inputs growing faster 
than commodity prices; and (iv) price risks, with high prices exacerbated by the war and export 
restrictions . He noted that, while prices declined slightly between April and June, food price inflation 
is growing with vulnerable countries facing billions of dollars of import bills .     
70. Mr Torero noted the high food -import dependence of the countries in the MENA region, as 
demonstrated by their agriculture trade deficits, projected increases in imports, and challenges in 
financing food import bills . He noted that Russia and Ukraine account for sizable shares in calorie 
imports for many of these countries, with such dependences paired with a high rate of 
undernourishment in some (e .g., Egypt, Sudan) .      
71. Finally, M r Torero listed three short -term policy recommendations: food import financing 
facility, diversification of food import sources, and targeted, humanitarian assistance and income 
support to vulnerable groups . He als o suggested three long -term policy recommendations: new 
technologies to increase domestic production sustainably, initiatives to reduce food waste and losses, 
and public food security stocks as a crisis prevention measure .      WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  72. Yuliya Bereshchenko, Director of Business Development and International Relations at 
Ukraine's Astarta integrated agriculture and food holding, noted that 90 % of Ukraine's agriculture 
exports went via Black Sea ports . She expressed hope that the agreement recentl y reached in 
Istanbul to allow safe passage of grains through Black Sea ports would be implemented and extended 
beyond its initial 120 days . She noted that farmers in Ukraine responded to the war by changing 
their crop mixes and that, without the ability t o export, they would have to respond by reducing 
planting acreage next autumn . She also noted that one fifth of Ukraine's agriculture land is occupied 
and unable to produce . Harvests from last winter's planting, such as wheat and rapeseeds, require d 
adequa te storage facilities .      
73. Mark Bowman, Vice President of Policy and Partnership at the European Bank for 
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), provided an overview of measures the EBRD implements 
to help respond to the current crisis, including: (i) sup port for the agriculture sector in Ukraine with 
the aim of sustaining production and earning revenues, including 1 billion euros of investment 
planned, in both private sectors and SOEs, to improve liquidity, working capital, and credit lines; 
(ii) trade fa cilitation and finance to help with Ukrainian imports of agriculture machinery and 
fertilizer, while helping to find alternative routes for agriculture exports, such as rail and trucking 
routes; and (iii)  support to countries affected by the food crisis by  helping with liquidity, storage 
equipment investment, and diversification of food sources .      
74. Marwan Al -Refai, Secretary General at Jordan's Ministry of Planning and International 
Cooperation, noted that 70 % of its strategic grains supply is sourced fro m international markets . As 
purchases are financed by the government, higher commodity prices have significant fiscal impact 
on its limited capacity . This is compounded by energy price increases exerting further pressure on 
prices of these commodities . As a result, inflation jumped from 3 % to 5.2% last month .    
Sebastian  Lesch, Head of Division (Sustainable Agriculture Value Chains) at the German Federal 
Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, highlighted the recent G7 Initiative on Global 
Alliance for Food Security . He noted that the initiative is intended to provide an agile response 
system for like -minded countries, consisting of both advice and action, i .e., in-time knowledge 
sharing and analyses for informed action, and the political and fin ancial support to ensure 
transparency and shape future research . He emphasized that the initiative provides a dashboard of 
ideas and a platform for information exchange but does not directly generate money or compel 
actions . Each actor in the system bears responsibility to act, but the initiative helps to galvanize 
action .     
75. The panellists then responded to questions posed by the Moderator concerning export 
restrictions and their impact, future outlook for the Ukrainian agriculture sector, and long -term 
solutions to increase resilience . Maximo Torero noted that trade is essential for a healthy diet around 
the world and that the current crisis is not due to a lack of food but reduced food mobility following 
restrictions . He emphasized that the best argument  against export restrictions is the 
interconnectivity of the world and the fact that a country's policy would  eventually reflect back on  
itself.  
76. Yuliya Bereshchenko  noted the uncertainty of predicting future outlook, while stressing the 
critical need to implement the agreement reached in Istanbul . She also noted the need to develop 
export infrastructure such as railroads to reduce future dependence on Black Sea ports . 
Marwan  Al-Refai indicated that long -term solutions for his country include making food supplies more 
secure by investing in new technology in agriculture, empowering private sectors in providing 
strategic products, improving logistics, and working with i nternational organizations such as the 
World Bank and EBRD to assist financing and government institutions . Sebastian Lesch indicated 
that short -term solutions must also instil the right pathways to arrive at the long -term, sustainable 
transformation of ag ri-food systems . Finally, Mark Bowman noted that EBRD combines investment 
assistance with policy dialogue to help countries develop into sustainable and competitive 
economies . He also echoed the views expressed on the importance of keeping international tr ade 
open.  
Reporter: WTO 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 8: LEVERAGING TRADE AND DIGITAL AGREEMENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT  
ORGANIZER(S): Asian Development Bank  
MODERATOR: Cyn-Young Park, Director, Regional Cooperation and Integration (ERCI), Asian 
Development Bank  
PANELLISTS  
Opening Remarks  
• Albert Park, Chief Economist and Director -General , Economic Research and Regional 
Cooperation, Asian Development Bank  
• Amy Stuart, Counsellor (Services and Investment), Australian Permanent Mission to the 
WTO in Geneva  
 
Speakers   
• Francesco Abbate, Adjunct Professor, Turin University  
• Pramilla Crivelli, Economist, ERCI, Asian Development Bank  
• Andrea Giacomelli, Aid -for-Trade and Trade Policy Advisor, Perm anent Delegation of the 
Pacific Islands Forum to the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and other 
International Organizations in Geneva  
• Stephanie Honey, Co -founder, Global Trade Insights  
• Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, (PP IU) 
• Shawn Tan, Senior Economist, ERCI, AsDB  
 
Short Summary  
77.  While post -COVID -19 recovery has begun, it is fragile and uneven . The report recommends 
ways to refocus and modernize Aid for Trade so it reflects new economic and trade realities including 
the ri sk of global value chains disruptions, preference erosion, the emergence of new digital 
technologies, and the rising need for regional cooperation . By supporting governments designing, 
negotiating and implementing forward looking trade and digital policies , Aid for Trade can reduce 
vulnerability, strengthen resilience, foster economic growth, and help developing Asia meet its 
sustainable development goals .  
Long Summary  
78. The panel discussion opened with Albert Park of the Asian Development Bank (A sDB) who 
discussed the asymmetric economic recovery from COVID -19 in Asia and the catalytic role of Aid for 
Trade. The session began by outlining the key issues covered in the report . Namely: understanding 
how to address supply constraints and barriers in Asia, exp loring how Aid  for Trade can help small 
island states and promote development in the region, understanding the relationship between the 
proliferation of regional trade agreements (RTAs) and resilience and finding ways to assess the rate 
of utilization of R TAs versus other trade agreements . The core message was that Aid -for-Trade needs 
to be modernized and to meaningfully invest in ‘soft infrastructure ' in the region to allow MSMEs to 
benefit from trade and digital trade .     
79. The session was structured in tw o parts to reflect the structure of the ADB report . The first 
half of the report presented by Pramila Crivelli, Economist, ERCI, A sDB outlined the current 
Aid-for-Trade landscape and the changing trade flows during COVID -19 in Asia . In 2017 -19 
Aid-for-Trade flows to Asia represented 35% of global Aid -for-Trade flows . In 2019 $16 .4 billion of 
Aid for Trade was distributed within the region, making it 2nd highest recipient for this period . For 
the period 2019 -2020 Aid  for Trade in the region declined by 5% .     
80. Pramila Crivelli stressed the essential role that Aid -for-Trade investments in trade agreements 
play in promoting robustness in Asia . RTAs have played a key role in the robustness of trade in Asia 
during the pandemic . In assessing the value of agreem ents, the gains depend on the value added 
of new agreements over existing agreements . The value of an RTA depends on if the agreement 
covers market access, provides regulatory convergence and if the agreement can be used effectively 
in the private sector o f a given country . Aid-for-Trade needs to assess the rate of utilization and the 
benefits of new and existing agreements with particular attention to regulatory issues such as 
cumulation, rules of origin and non -tariff measures .     WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  81. The discussion continue d as Ms Crivelli then explored the various challenges one might face 
when trying to measure the value of a specific trade agreement . As trade agreements have various 
tariff lines comparison between them can be difficult . In this regard, Aid  for Trade must be used to 
build better methodologies for comparing trade agreements for example assessing the percentage 
utilization of specific trade preferences . Low utilization rates could indicate that trade preferences 
are not working, although this would thus sugge st that high utilization rates would mean preferences 
are working there is a chance that high utilization could simply indicate that trade volumes are low . 
As such, further research is needed in this area . Utilization rates can also increase transparency 
allowing governments to assess which preference schemes best suit their firms and help them revise 
preferences in existing agreements .     
82. This portion of the presentation also explored the effects of grad uation from Least Developing 
Country status . The A sDB report found that countries that are dependent on LDC status who 
graduate face ‘preference erosion ' which leaves them vulnerable . Preference erosion can also occur 
within the context of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) . An example that was given was the refo rmation 
of the rules of origin in European Union trade agreements in 2010 . In some instances, the utilization 
rate of some RTAs increased to 100% . It was noted that this could also have negative effects, as 
countries could become dependent on the agreement  and become vulnerable .    
83.  The subsequent part of the session delved into the digital landscape in Asia . In Asia, there is 
a ‘noddle bowl ' of overlapping digital regulations where some of the strongest participants in the 
field of digital services such as  India, are notably absent from the regulatory landscape . Digital 
regulation is in its infant stages . The Digital Economic Partnership Agreement (DEPA) has ‘soft 
norms ', provides opportunities for cooperation for the development of new rules and is in an o pen 
plurilateral agreement . DEPA offers a great opportunity for developing countries to play a part in 
setting the rules on digital trade however to engage in this way , developing countries must build 
their capacities . Aid for Trade must therefore help with digital capacity -building efforts in areas such 
as digital connectivity, and digital literacy .     
84. Francesco Abbate an Adjunct Professor at Turin University began the panel session by outlining 
the characteristics of capacity -building efforts that Aid  for Trade should strive to accomplish .  
Capacity -building efforts should be demand -driven based on tailor -made activities that take an 
‘ownership approach ', programs should be results orientated and created us e evidence -based 
research, programs should hav e strong donor coordination and involve both the private sector and 
civil society (a good example of this being the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) ) and programs 
should ideally be created with the involvement of think tanks with prior experience in ca pacity -
building programs .   
85. Stephanie Honey the Co -founder of Global Trade Insights continued by detailing the key areas 
of support that developing countries need to be equipped to participate in the process of digital 
regulation creation . Developing count ries need to have good domestic policy settings, national digital 
strategies and laws on data protection, an electronic transaction framework and laws on consumer 
protection . From a trade perspective, Ms Honey stressed the need for developing countries to know 
about services trade, competition policy and intellectual property law . The creation of digital 
agreements offers an opportunity for cooperation between developed and developing countries .      
86. Andrea Giacomelli , the Aid -for-Trade and Trade Policy Adv isor for the Permanent Delegation 
of the Pacific Islands Forum to the United Nations, and World Trade Organization  (PIFS) , outlined 
the priorities for their members in the digital space . Firstly, e -commerce was highlighted as a priority 
area. For the membe rs of the forum, the process of creating digital regulation began with harmonized 
diagnostics in each member country using methods developed by UNCTAD . The results informed 
their roadmap . The Roadmap includes four measures on digital trade rules: the adopt ion of WCO 
standards for e -commerce, an agreement on cross -border paperless trade in the Asia Pacific was 
recommended , as well as UNCITRAL  regulations of electronic transactions and a regional initiative 
to harmonize e -commerce standards .  
Reporter: WTO 
_______________  
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 9: BETTER TRADE FOR BETTER HEALTH: STRENGTHENING COOPERATION TO 
FIGHT ILLICIT TRADE IN MEDICAL PRODUCTS  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Anabel González, Deputy Director -General, World Trade Organization  
PANELLISTS  
• Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Director -General, World Trade Organization  
• Gerd Müller, Director -General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization  
• Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary -General, Wor ld Customs Organization   
• Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary -General, UNCTAD    
• Mariângela Simão, Assistant Director -General, World Health Organization  
• Edward Kwaka, Assistant Director -General, World Intellectual Property Organization   
 
Short Summary  
87. Illicit trade in medical products threatens human health and safety, endangers economic 
activity, stifles innovation and undermines trust in global supply chains, setting back efforts to use 
trade to support global health security and sustainable development . Speakers in the high -level 
session shared their respective organizational perspectives on illicit trade in medical products, 
identifying common areas of work and collaboration, such as customs and border management, 
intellectual property, and training and tech nical assistance . The panel concluded by noting that the 
fight against illicit trade required enhanced cooperation at all levels – including within and among 
countries, between international organizations, and with the private sector – and emphasized the 
importance of adopting smarter technologies in a digital age .  
Long Summary  
88. In her opening remarks, the moderator, Anabel González, stressed that the scourge of illicit 
trade reached well beyond the trade sphere . In addition to being a challenge to achievin g key 
sustainable development goals such as ensuring healthy lives and ending poverty, illicit trade in 
medical products also threatened human health and safety, endangered jobs and economic activity, 
stifled innovation and undermined trust in governments . This problem was further exacerbated 
during the COVID -19 pandemic . She stressed that the complex and multifaceted battle against illicit 
trade required deeper and enhanced cooperation within countries, across national boundaries and 
between international organizations . The session, therefore, served as an opportunity for 
organizations to collaborate and leverage organizational strengths and expertise in bringing practical 
solutions for combatting illicit trade to the table . For the first part of the sessio n, the moderator 
posed specific questions to the speakers on the role their organizations played in combatting illicit 
trade . For the second part, the moderator solicited perspectives on priority areas for international 
co-operation in the fight against il licit trade .      
89. WTO Director -General Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala highlighted her longstanding concerns with the 
harms inflicted on societies and economies by illicit trade in medical products . Illicit trade threatened 
public health, undermined legitimate busi ness activity and abetted corruption, especially during the 
COVID -19 pandemic . Discussing the  release of the WTO publication on illicit trade in medical 
products , she hoped that it would help in identifying key pathways offered by the global trading 
system . She highlighted two messages from the publication . First, the WTO rulebook served as an 
important ally in the fight against illicit trade in medical goods . Full implementation of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement, for example, could improve risk managemen t systems, clearance processes, 
and enhance border controls needed to tackle illicit trade and at the same time reduce 
non-transparent procedures of which illicit traders take advantage . WTO rules could also assist 
members strengthen medical product regula tions to improve quality compliance, health and safety 
standards, and promote balanced Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement to keep counterfeit 
medical products away from markets . Second, Dr Ngozi noted that access to these tools 
notwithstanding,  it was also imperative that national, regional and international cooperation, 
including between the organizations present at the session, was deepened . This was particularly 
important since for the poorest and most vulnerable countries fighting illicit tr ade could deliver a WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  "double dividend" - strengthening capacity while expanding trading opportunities, and at the same 
time building resilience against future shocks to the multilateral trading system .     
90. Mariângela Simão observed that WHO had two main area s of activity and interest concerning 
illicit trade - substandard and falsified medical products, and organ trafficking and transplantation . 
She noted that WHO had instituted a 'Member State Mechanism' to combat substandard and falsified 
medical products, where members came together and addressed concerns in this area . The 
commerce of substandard and falsified medicines and medical products was a lucrative business that 
flourished where there were no policies to ensure access to these products . With the ris e in 
e-commerce, the problem of substandard and falsified medical products had become a global 
problem . She stressed that accurate use of terminology when dealing with substandard, falsified, 
and counterfeit medical products was crucial to avoid conflation among the different terms . People 
in many countries did not have adequate medical access and it was imperative that the capacity of 
member states in this regard was strengthened . She further emphasized that enhanced collaboration 
between differe nt international agencies was critical . On organ trafficking, Dr  Simão observed that 
low availability of transplant services and shortage of organ donors made this aspect of illicit trade 
highly lucrative and profitable . Therefore, collaboration between WH O, WCO and WTO in this area, 
especially around border control, was critical . On priority areas for international cooperation to fight 
illicit trade in medical products, Dr  Simão underscored the centrality of timely and affordable access 
to safe and efficac ious medical products . Moreover, given the concerns regarding e -commerce, she 
highlighted the importance of raising awareness about falsified medical products amongst individuals 
and consumers . She further noted that it was imperative to strengthen the sup port for countries 
capacity for procurement and have a more harmonized approach amongst international 
organizations working in the area to increase access to safe and efficacious medicines .      
91. Gerd Müller noted that illegal medical products represented a multi -billion dollar global market 
and had grown significantly . The circulation of low quality and unsafe medical products affected the 
poorest most severely and for addressing this issue hard sanctions and punishments were required . 
He noted  that producers needed to be held liable and called on the pharmaceutical industry to take 
responsibility in this regard . He stressed the need for everyone to have access to legal medical 
products, including contraception, and establishing local capacity i n developing countries for medical 
products . Noting the recent TRIPS waiver  discussions , Dr Müller pointed to divisions between 
developed and developing countries, especially pertaining to access to vaccines during the COVID -
19 pandemic . He highlighted sev en consequences for the future: (i) developing countries as equal 
partners in international pharmaceutical markets; (ii) viewing medications as global public goods; 
(iii) patent protection in a manner not hindering production; (iv) transparent research; (v ) 
production and distribution of vaccines and medications as a world -wide system; (vi) strengthening 
work of WHO as a global health organization; and (viii) other organizations such as COVAX, GAVI as 
key partners in this process . He reiterated UNIDO's expe rience in providing technical cooperation 
and advisory services in advancing local pharmaceutical production in developing countries and 
readiness for collaboration . Dr Müller further stressed that m illions of people had no or limited access 
to medicines a nd many died of treatable illnesses . However, for the world to have affordable and 
safe medicines, it was crucial that expansion of quality medical production was undertaken to fight 
trade in illegal medical products . Further, political will from countries  and the cooperation of 
pharmaceutical industries was imperative .      
92. Kunio Mikuriya noted that in addition to facilitating legitimate trade, customs was also the first 
line of defence against illicit trade in medical products . The WCO provided instrument s, standards, 
guidelines, and tools for data -based risk management to customs administrations . Further, the WCO 
facilitated information sharing, carried out capacity -building and assistance programmes, not only 
on technical and organizational issues, but a lso on other issues such as corruption . He noted that 
the WCO played a vital role during COVID -19 pandemic . It worked with the WHO in the identification 
and promotion of legitimate and urgently needed medical trade, with the transport sector to develop 
guidance for safe transport of goods, and with the private sector to address bottlenecks and 
ground -level coordination issues . To tackle illicit trade in medical products, the WCO also trained 
customs officials in the identification of substandard and falsifi ed medical products and vaccines , 
and provided a channel for the exchange of information and seizure data to raise awareness across 
societies and gather support for customs functions at borders . On priority areas for international 
cooperation to fight illi cit trade in medical products, Dr Mikuriya observed that it was important that 
the respective mandates and expertise of each international organization working in this area was 
respected and leveraged to collectively achieve the common goal of combatting i llicit trade . He 
observed that from a customs perspective, national regulations implemented without a legal WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  framework or without clarity in supporting regulations created implementation difficulties . He 
stressed the need for more collaboration between diff erent government agencies and businesses 
and support that international organizations could provide in encouraging national efforts in the 
area. Further, Dr Mikuriya noted that awareness raising that affects national prioritization and 
resource allocation was also crucial .     
93. Edward Kwakwa  highlighted that WIPO, pursuant to the WIPO Development Agenda adopted 
by its members, strived for balanced intellectual property (IP) enforcement and through its Advisory 
Committee on Enforcement, provided technical assistance and coordination in the fie ld of IP 
enforcement . WIPO also carried out capacity building programmes throughout the world and 
provided legislative assistance to its members on a confidential basis such as assessing their 
compliance with enforcement -related obligations under the TRIPS  Agreement . On illicit trade, he 
noted that WIPO also produced materials and training guides addressing infringement of IP rights, 
piracy, counterfeiting, remedies and enforcement . WIPO had also established a Blockchain Task 
Force to examine potential appl ications of blockchain technologies within IP ecosystems . If 
challenges including interoperability, governance and regulation were addressed, then these 
technologies could have a positive impact on combatting illicit trade from an enforcement 
perspective, including ensuring the genuineness of the products distributed . On priority areas for 
international cooperation to fight illicit trade in medical products, Mr Kwakwa stressed the 
importance of enhanced cooperation to create stronger and a more united respo nse and to avoid 
reinventing the wheel and noted prior roundtable sessions WIPO had organized on substandard, 
falsified and counterfeit medicines . He further suggested the creation of a more permanent forum 
to discuss illicit medical products, and in line with the next steps proposed by the WTO publication 
on illicit trade, such a forum could serve for information exchange, coordination of 
awareness -raising, training and technical assistance activities and policy coordination among the 
relevant inter -govern mental organisations (IGOs) to ensure a coordinated and multilateral response . 
Another suggestion was to create an inter -organizational working group to suggest development of 
a common strategy for countering the trade in illicit medical products . Finally,  he reiterated the need 
for heightened cooperation in trainings and sharing of materials and awareness -raising activities to 
increase the visibility of the cause .     
94. Rebeca Grynspan (through a pre -recorded video message) lent her voice to the discussion, 
recalling that the 2030 Development Agenda noted that good health was crucial in addressing every 
development issue and that illicit trade in medical products endangers health, and therefore 
development itself . Even before the pandemic, the value of illici t trade in pharmaceutical products 
was very significant, and according to Interpol reporting, falsified medical products held substantial 
market shares in some Asian, African and Latin American countries . She stressed that it was most 
often the poor and vu lnerable who were affected by substandard medical products while criminals 
exploited poor polices and bad governance to conduct illicit trade . Grynspan highlighted that illicit 
trade and counterfeit medicines reduced government revenues, and the use of sub standard medical 
products represented undesirable medical outcomes affecting drug resistance and health . Finally, 
she noted that tackling illicit trade was imperative, and UNCTAD as an ally, stood ready to collaborate 
with other organizations .      
95. Marion Jansen, Director of the Trade and Agriculture Directorate, OECD, highlighted aspects 
of their work, including by collecting data and conducting analyses on illicit trade, by following 
members' call to explore transparency in free trade zones and the right of relevant authorities to 
access and request information, and by developing trade facilitation indicators, which included an 
indicator on regulatory collaboration . She noted that the OECD stood ready to collaborate with other 
organizations to tackle illic it trade in medical products .  
96. John Brandolino, Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs, UNODC, observed that the COVID -
19 pandemic revealed that states were not fully equipped to tackle problems raised by the 
manufacture and trafficking of falsified m edical products, but that this could be addressed by 
strengthening national legal regulatory frameworks to combat traffic and improving information 
collection and sharing and the seizure and collection of proceeds . Enhanced collaboration between 
regulatory , legislative and the private sector, and improved data collection, research and analysis 
was also needed . Dr Brandolino highlighted that UNODC had established an internal coordination 
mechanism for regular information sharing (together with WHO, WCO and I nterpol), and provided 
risk assessment training to customs officials (together with WCO) .      WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  97. In her closing remarks, DG Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala noted that all organizations represented 
in the session were actors carrying out great work tackling the issue of illicit medical products and 
made four key observations . First, she proposed a collective effort from relevant organizations to 
achieve concrete results on the issue of illicit trade in medical products, and suggested this could be 
coordinated by the WH O given their extensive work in this area . Second, observing that poor people 
bore the most severe brunt of illicit trade in medical products – a point that had been raised 
repeatedly in interventions – she stressed the need for stronger and coordinated ef forts towards 
raising awareness among national authorities and public leaders, who could then, in turn, further 
raise awareness locally . Third, Dr Ngozi echoed the concerns raised regarding the manner in which 
e-commerce and digital trade aggravated the pr oblem of illicit trade and highlighted that these 
concerns could be tackled with smarter and improved technologies . Fourth, she reiterated that 
coordination with the private sector and their involvement, especially on the IP aspects of 
substandard and fals ified medical products, was of crucial importance .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 10: WOMEN'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN A POST -PANDEMIC FUTURE: 
CAPACITY -BUILDING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY  
ORGANIZER(S): Permanent Mission of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen 
and Matsu to the World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Cherise Valles, Deputy Director, Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL)  
PANELLISTS  
• Tanessa Caines -Charles, Chief Accountant and Owner, Purple Edge Financial Services in 
St. Christopher and Nevis  
• Carmen Gomez -Trigg, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit 
Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC)  
• Sophia Wei -Shin Jan, Pr oject Manager of Technical Mission in St . Lucia, International 
Cooperation and Development Fund (Chinese Taipei's ICDF)  
 
Short Summary  
98.  The COVID -19 pandemic has created many challenges, in particular, on the economic 
development and social stability of co untries across the globe, and the disruption continues to 
evolve . According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean 
(CEPAL), more than 38% of the women -held jobs lost during the pandemic crisis in 2020 were not 
recover ed in 2021, furthermore, the estimated female unemployment rate would be as high as 
11.5% in 2022 . Women have borne the brunt of job loss from the start of the pandemic and therefore 
require assistance from the international community .  In light of the above, this session, titled 
Women 's Economic Empowerment in a Post -pandemic Future: Capacity -building, Entrepreneurship 
and Financial Accessibility, shares practical experiences in how trade tools can be utilized to 
strengthen women 's econ omic empowerment, especially in developing countries .  
Long Summary  
99.  Sophia Wei -Shin Jan, Project Manager of Chinese Taipei's ICDF 's Technical Mission in 
St. Lucia, began the panel discussion with a presentation titled “Assisting Economic Recovery and 
Empo werment of Youth and Women in Latin America and the Caribbean in the Post -COVID -19 Era ."  
She discussed  the project of “Technical Assistance for Youth and Women 's Employment, 
Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion in Saint Lucia ", which is a cooperative project between 
Chinese Taipei's ICDF and the Government of Saint Lucia, and explained how they leverage technical 
cooperation, international education and training, lending and investment, and humanitarian 
assistance to deliver a sustainable future for yo uth and women in Saint Lucia .  
100.  Carmen Gomez -Trigg, Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit 
Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC), briefed the objects and functions of the ECPCGC . She pointed out 
that the ECPCGC provides partial credit guar antees to financial institutions on behalf of eligible micro, 
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in need of a loan to fund their business growth . The ECPCGC 
also provides the participating lender with a guarantee of a certain amount as collateral for the  
borrower (MSME) which does not have the requisite security for the loan .    
101.   She explained that the Chinese Taipei's ICDF has chosen the ECPCGC to implement 
guarantees for the Women 's Empowerment Project and would provide a grant of US$5m for use in 
the i ssuance and management of guarantees . The grant will cover some of the collateral 
requirements for women entrepreneurs and businesses that employ at least 50% women and  will 
be administered by the ECPCGC through the participating lenders in 4 member states  – Grenada, 
St. Kitts and Nevis, St . Lucia, and St . Vincent & the Grenadines .     
102.  Tanessa Caines -Charles, Chief Accountant and Owner of Purple Edge Financial Services in 
St. Kitts and Nevis, is a beneficiary of the Chinese Taipei's ICDF Women 's Employment and Financial 
Inclusion Project . She received training on business strategy and innovation . She briefed the 
business model of the Purple Edge Financial Services and shared he r experience derived from the 
project .  
Reporter: WTO 
_______________  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 11: CONNECTING TO FACILITATE SAFE TRADE  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Sheri Rosenow, Counsellor, WTO  
PANELLISTS  
• Rose Souza Richards, Seed Health Manager, International Seed Federation  
• Philippe Binard, General Delegate, European Fresh Produce Association (Freshfel)  
• Buddhi Upadhyaya, Counsellor/DPR (Commerce), Permanent Miss ion of Nepal in Geneva   
• Melvin Spreij, Head of STDF, Standards and Trade development Facility , WTO  
• Bill Gain, Global Lead, Trade Facilitation, Customs Reform & Border Management, World 
Bank Group  
 
Short Summary  
103.   This joint WTO, STDF and WBG session brought together stakeholders across the dimensions 
of trade facilitation and SPS controls . These experts discussed and illustrated how the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Agreement can help overcome border delays through enhanced connectivity among 
border agencies, specifically between Customs and SPS agencies . Digitizing SPS import and export 
release processes leads to transparency and provides a way to speed up trade and reduce costs . 
The discussion included examples and perspectives from LDCs and the pri vate sector .  
Long Summary  
104.   This joint WTO, STDF and WBG session brought together stakeholders across the dimensions 
of trade facilitation and SPS controls . These experts discussed and illustrated how the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Agreement can help overcome border delays through enhanced connectivity among 
border agencies, specifically between Customs and SPS agencies . Digitizing SPS import and export 
release processes leads to transparency and provides a way to speed up trade and reduce costs . 
The discussion  included examples and perspectives from LDCs and the private sector .      
105.  Rose Souza Richards, Seed Health Manager, International Seed Federation (ISF) emphasised 
how implementing international standards, working with the public and private sectors, was v ery 
important  for trade to take place . Having proper  implementation of international standards could 
guarantee harmonization across all countries . She added that seeds were key to guarantee food 
security . Other important aspects in included electronic phyt osanitary certificates . In communicating 
with different governments during COVID -19 times, ePhytos had helped to move [products] so the 
impact was not as hard expected, although some regions were hit harder .     
106.  Philippe Binard, General Delegate, European Fresh Produce Association (Freshfel) said that 
whenever they wanted to export, it was necessary to negotiate product by product, Member state 
by Member state . This meant that new ways to find group solutions to facilitate the work of National 
Plant Protection Organization (NPPOs) was necessary on both sides . Talking about mitigation of 
pests, countries and international organizations should promote greater use of standards for pest 
control, as it will allow for greater transparency and reduce the use  of SPS measures as a barrier to 
entry in trade .  
107.   Buddhi Upadhyaya, Counsellor/DPR (Commerce), Permanent Mission of Nepal in Geneva said 
that legal and regulatory framework and human capacity were crucial for implementing and 
enforcing SPS measures and to  address trade problems . This required coordination with all 
stakeholders, including public -private partnerships . On solving SPS issues in trade, he said that it 
was time for reforms to be carried out and for standards harmonization . Implementing the Trade  
Facilitation Agreement could resolve this, and LDCs were committed to this . Nepal had implemented 
ePhytos to send attestations directly to trading partners, saving time and money .   
108.   Bill Gain, Global Lead, Trade Facilitation, Customs Reform & Border Mana gement, World Bank 
Group said that it was time for a coordinated, collaborative approach across the public and private 
sectors . He also propose to leverage data, digitize procedures, enhance transparency, take a WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
- 28 - 
 
  risk-based approach for clearance processes . There was potential to increase efficiency and reduce 
barriers, especially around phytosanitary certificates .   
109.   Melvin Spreij, Head, Standards Trade Development Facility, suggested aligning laws and 
regulations to international standards to reduce costs and eliminate unnecessary restrictions to 
trade, to allow food to move more smoothly . On what can be done to facilitate safe trade, he said 
that transparency was really critical . That meant publishing SPS regulations, ideally online . This type 
of informati on continued to be very hard to find, especially in developing countries . He stressed the 
importance of setting regular dialogues to keep businesses aware or requirements and regulation 
changes .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/COMT D/AFT/W/93  
 
- 29 - 
SESSION 12: EXAMINING GAPS IN CONNECTIVITY AND TOOLS TO EMPOWER LDCS IN THE 
DIGITAL ECONOMY  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  LDC Group supported by Summit Alliances International 
- Development Trade Solutions, financed by TAF2+ with BKP  
MODERATOR: Kemvichet Long, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of 
the Kingdom of Cambodia to the WTO and other IOs  
PANELLIST S 
• Cecile Barayre -El Shami, Chief, Capacity Building Section, E -Commerce and the Digital 
Economy Branch, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  
• Muhammadou Kah, Ambassador Permanent Representative, Republic of The Gambia  
• Ganesh Prasad Pandeya, Se cretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies 
Government of Nepal  
• Cosmas Zavazava, Chief, Partnerships for Digital Development Department, International 
Telecommunications Union  
 
Short Summary  
110.  Despite increasing connectivity in Least Developing Coun tries (LDCs ), their participation on 
the internet has remained low . Closing the digital divide for LDCs is not only about internet access, 
but also about the knowledge, skills and tools required to participate in the digital economy, including 
access to: ( i) uninterrupted electricity; (ii) sustainable infrastructure; (iii)  affordable and reliable 
Internet connection; (iv) Information and Communications Technology (ICT) goods and services, 
computers, phones, and other equipment; and (v) digital awareness in both rural and urban areas, 
as well as across all genders and age groups . This session reviewed some of the main gaps faced in 
LDCs, and explored possible concrete measures to increase connectivity and productive internet 
usage .  
Long Summary  
111.  Panellists discussed how LDCs have progressed in terms of achieving their Sustainable 
Development Goal (SDG) target of significantly increasing access to ICT and providing universal and 
affordable access to the Internet in LDCs by 2020, with at least 95% o f the LDC population being 
covered by a mobile broadband network with affordable entry -level data plans that would not exceed 
2% of income . They drew attention to International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 2021 data 
which suggests that only 2 of the 46 L DCs, namely Bangladesh and Bhutan, have met both targets . 
Only Myanmar has met the affordability target while five LDCs, namely, Lesotho, Rwanda, Senegal, 
Timor - Leste and Yemen have met the coverage target . 38 LDCs still face the challenges of extremely 
limited coverage and expensive connectivity . While 83% of the aggregate population in LDCs are 
connected to 3G or higher mobile broadband signals, only 53% are covered by a 4G network . Only 
27% of the LDC population use the internet compared to the global a verage of 63% - indicating that 
most of the LDC population experiences a usage gap .  
112.  The speakers noted how this wide usage gap implies that access is a necessary , but not 
sufficient condition for online participation . The data also reveals that only 13% o f the rural 
population in LDCs use the internet, with usage by the urban population being 47% - revealing a 
deep urban -rural divide in internet usage . Generational gaps also pose a challenge with 34% of the 
youth (aged 15 -24 years) using the Internet in 20 20, compared to 22% for the rest of the population . 
UNCTAD 2021 data also featured gender gaps in terms of both smartphone ownership and Internet 
use. The panellists stressed on the need to bridge this divide in order to build inclusive and resilient 
digital economies and e -commerce systems . Lack of awareness about the Internet and digital goods 
and services remains a major obstacle in productive usage of the Internet by LDC populations, with 
78% of the respondents in an ITU survey conducted across 8 LDCs i n 2021 confirming the same .  
113.  A recurring issue which came up in the discussion was the insufficient engagement in 
e-commerce by LDCs . The speakers noted how LDCs have lagged far behind the world average in 
terms of key ICT indicators such as fixed broadban d subscriptions, active mobile -broadband 
subscriptions, population covered by a mobile cellular network or by at least a 3G mobile network, WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  the number of Internet users per 100 inhabitants and share of the population shopping online . LDCs 
have fallen furth er behind in digital trade during the COVID pandemic due to low digital readiness 
resulting from policy gaps which hampered the ability of LDCs to seize digital solutions in an 
increasingly digitalized global economy, the panellists said .  
114.  According to the  speakers, some of the major challenges faced by key policy areas include – 
limited awareness of e -commerce among policy and law makers, consumers and businesses ; lack 
of sufficient statistical data on the digital economy which hampers relevant e -commerce  strategy 
formulation; limited inclusiveness; limited and costly access to ICT infrastructure and services; 
inadequate facilities for trade facilitation; overreliance on cash -based transactions; weak legal and 
regulatory framework for consumer protection i n digital finance; lack of e -commerce skill 
development for MSMEs and lack of digital awareness education; and lack of access to financing 
sources for start -up enterprises looking to engage in e -commerce .  
115.  Solutions proposed by the panellists to all such c hallenges faced by LDCs include strengthening 
the eTrade readiness of LDCs using tailored policies to suit country -specific needs and increased 
coordination and collaboration across different ministries of the government and also across the 
private sector,  government agencies and civil society organizations for formulating e -commerce 
related policies . They also advised the adoption of free digital payment solutions provided by the 
government along with infrastructural development, multi -stakeholder cooperat ion and capacity 
building targeting inclusive ICT in rural areas . The speakers concluded that enhanced resource 
mobilization and increased cooperation between beneficiary LDCs and developing partners are 
critical in overcoming the various challenges and em powering LDCs in today 's digital economy .  
116.  On the panel were Cecile Barayre -El Shami, Chief, Capacity Building Section, E -Commerce 
and the Digital Economy Branch, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); 
Muhammadou Kah , Ambassador Permanent Representative, Republic of The Gambia; Ganesh Prasad 
Pandeya, Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Government of Nepal; Cosmas 
Zavazava, Chief, Partnerships for Digital Development Department, International 
Teleco mmunications Union (ITU) .  
Reporter: CUTS  
 
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SESSION 13: THE NORTHERN CORRIDOR GREEN PROGRAMME  
ORGANIZER(S): TradeMark East Africa  
MODERATOR: Moderator : Frank Matsaert , Chief Executive Officer, Trademark East Africa  
PANELLISTS  
• Chris Kiptoo, Executive Secretary, Principal Secretary Environment  & Forestry, 
Government of Kenya  
• Gilbert Lang'at , Chief Executive Officer, East Africa Shippers Council   
• Omae Nyarandi, Executive Secretary, Northern Corridor Transit  & Transport 
Coordination Authority   
• Okisegere Ojepat, Chief Executive Officer, Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya   
• Abhishek Sharma, Sen ior Director, Transport ,TradeMark East Africa  
 
Short Summary  
117.   The session focused on measures in place and what has to be done in the future to strengthen 
green growth, climate resilience and reduction of carbon emissions in the freight transport, logist ics 
and export sectors along the Northern Corridor in Eastern Africa to enhance sustainable trade .  
Long Summary  
118.   The session began by an introductory video which set the scene for the session on the 
interventions across the Northern corridor under the pro ject offered in the Northern Corridor Green 
programme .     
119.  Omae Nyarandi, Executive Secretary, Northern Corridor Transit  & Transport Coordination 
Authority (NCTTCA) highlighted the importance of having a sustainable corridor . He enumerated 
some of the meas ures taken by the NCTTCA including analysis of the various modes of transports 
linked to the Northern Corridor and how to reduce emissions, sensitization programmes in the 
Eastern African countries on how to reduce emission such as specialized training for  truck drivers on 
eco-driving and creating awareness on reduction of fuel use . He also highlighted that an analysis is 
underway on modal shift from road to rail to ease congestion along the roads as well as inland water 
ways. Further, he underscored some o f the key challenges including absence of incentives to move 
to green technologies, lack of funding, low level of awareness by the trading communities in 
protecting the environment, among others. He proposed measures such as provision incentives to 
those who purchase engines that comply with green freight, sensitization programmes and 
harmonization of policies across the Northern Corridor states will go a long way in addressing the 
challenges .     
120.  Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary Environment  & Forestry, Government of Kenya emphasized 
that the carbon emission of Kenya is less than 1% compared to the global numbers . However, 
various sectors of Kenya's economy including agriculture  and transport remai n highly affected by 
climate change . He elaborated the measures and policies that are currently being implemented by 
Kenya, to build resilience and mitigate the impact of climate change such as adaptation plan s, 
Climate Change Act, green economy strategy, among others . He mentioned some of the strategies 
of the Government is to electrify the Standard Gauge Railway, constructing rapid bus transport 
system s at the Nairobi Metropolitan aimed to decongest traffic, supporting low carbon technologies 
in the aviat ion sector, piloting projects on electric vehicles and implementing the green economy 
strategy as well as developing cool logistics chains in the export of flowers by sea transport rather 
that air transport . He acknowledged the support by the Government of  The Netherlands in 
collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public 
Works Kenya, on development of a cool logistics corridor , i.e. a cool economy corridor on the railway 
system for transportation of fresh  produce to the port of Mombasa for onward export to Africa .    
121.  Gilbert Lang'at, Chief Executive Officer,  East Africa Shippers Council , underscored measures 
to encourage stakeholders in shifting to green logistics through building capacity for the exporter s, 
working with different international shipping lines to bring investment into cold chain facilities . He 
noted that Kenya's exports are mainly agriculturally based . Efforts have been made  to transport  tea WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  by rail from production areas to Mombasa where the  auction takes place . Further, he reiterated the 
commitment to shift exports movement from 2% to 15% by sea by the year 2030 and underlines 
the ongoing engagements with the Government of The Netherlands in terms of advocacy, capacity 
building on cold chain  facilities . He accentuated the need for  the Government to put in place 
appropriate policy measures such as tax incentives to encourage private players to invest in low 
carbon emission trucks, invest in wagons as opposed to trucks, greener logistic chains and 
continuously provide training to logistic providers, producers, suppliers .   
122.  Additionally, Okisegere Ojepat , Chief Executive Officer form the Fresh Produce Consortium of 
Kenya explained the initiatives in place where horticulture growers are encouraged to plant trees to 
improve the forest coverage,  pushing out cargo in a more efficient way with a focus to shift  50% of 
fresh produce exports from air to sea by 2030 . He welcomed the support by the Dutch Government 
in creating a sustainable sea freight solution for fresh produce that will reinforce Kenya as a regional 
hub for handling perishable goods as well as the  development of a cool logistics corridor on the 
railway system for the transportation of fresh produce to the port of Mombasa . He also stressed the 
need for sustainability programmes among the growers , for example converting waste into energy 
within the f arms. He underscored  the importance of partnerships with the Government towards 
achieving sustainability . In responding to changing consumer patterns, he also highlighted the need 
to communicate clearly and document to the consumers on the green measures u ndertaken by 
Kenya to dissipate the negative perceptions of Kenyan fresh produce .       
123.  Abhishek Sharma shed light on the new technologies put in place to enhance greener 
production in different geographical areas such as Europe,  which have proved to be su ccessful . He 
highlighted those new technologies not only lower emission, but also increase export efficiency . 
Seventy per cent  of the cargo currently transited through Mombasa are transported by trucks and 
significant environmental impacts in large cities . The impact of pollution , especially in the big cities , 
is driven by city distribution of goods which happens through diesel -driven vehicles . In more 
developed countries , distribution is done through electric -based distribution networks which are very 
efficient. To implement this within the Northern Corridor , effective measures should be put in place 
such as setting of distribution centres, policy push, tax rebates . He stressed on the need to shift to 
low emissions vehicles which offer some advantages in te rms of low costs in maintenance , however, 
to implement this , it requires some incentives from the Government . He encouraged Kenya to tap 
into hydrogen technology for cargo movement which is cost -effective leveraging on Kenya's right 
energy mix and proposed  to partner with the EU for a pilot project .      
124.  Finally, the moderator, Frank Matsaert, Chief Executive Officer, Trademark East Africa,  
highlighted the key take aways which include , among others , the need for incentives by policy makers 
for private operators to encourage a shift to green means of transport, continuous training and 
sensitization to the producers, suppliers, exporters, logistics players on the importance of adopting 
greener technologies and the importance of partnerships between the Government and 
private -sector players to reduce emissions in the Northern Corridor .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 14: CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT TO INCREASE WOMEN'S 
PARTICIPATION IN TRADE  
ORGANIZER(S): United Kingdom , World Bank Group and International Trade Centre  
MODERATOR: Caitlin Kraft -Buchman, Vice President of International Policy for Global Public Affairs, 
CEO/Founder, Women at the Table  
PANELLISTS  
Opening Remarks  
• Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy Director -General, World Trade Organization  
 
Speakers  
• Maria Luisa Boyce, Vice President of International Policy for Global Public Affairs, UPS  
• Naa Densua Aryeeetey, Ghana's Trade & Gender Sub -Committee and Executive Member of 
the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association  
• Mona Haddad, Director for Trade, Investment and Competitiveness, World Bank Group  
• David Luke, Professor in Practice and Strategic Director , Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa  
• Simon J Manley, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, United Kingdom, Mission to 
the UN and WTO  
• Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director, International Trade Centre  
 
Short Summary  
125.  Over the past decade, the world has ma de progress in several key areas of gender equality . 
International trade, however, is an area where focus on gender equality has not been always 
adequately addressed . Research shows that ensuring women can equally participate in international 
trade is impo rtant as trade can improve economic outcomes for women by creating better jobs that 
move them into the formal economy and increase their wages . This event was an opportunity to 
discuss why enabling an inclusive trade environment is critical and, most impor tantly, how 
governments can create a trade environment that encourages and empowers women entrepreneurs 
to connect to regional and global markets . The panel discussed recent research and offered different 
perspectives from both the public and private secto rs on the challenges faced by women 
entrepreneurs engaged in cross -border trade . Panellists also offered practical recommendations on 
how to address these challenges and create gender -inclusive border environments that facilitate the 
participation of women  in international trade .  
Long Summary  
126.  Discussions highlighted the untapped potential of empowering women in the economy . 
Specifically, they underlined the role that trade could play in fostering both gender equality and 
sustainable growth . Research presen ted showed that trade allowed better outcomes for women -led 
firms, higher job security and better wages while growing the overall size of the economy . Yet, there 
remains a huge gap in how much women can access trade . As one panellist indicated, only one-fifth 
of women entrepreneurs engages in trade .  
127.  The panellists attempted to understand why this gap exists . The main takeaways were that 
policies and trade are not gender neutral . As women lack representation in policy -making forums, 
they face discrimination in regulations, border controls and access to infrastructure that impede their 
trade potential while harassment and extortion is common . Furthermore, most female -led 
businesses are small or medium -sized enterprises, which exacerbate these access issues due to their 
lower resources . They also face discrimination in access to finance and to information, with less 
knowledge of trade issues and restricted participation in local trade networks . Finally, women are 
also more  likely to be employed informally or for unpaid care, which limit how much they can 
participate in trade .  
128.  Panellists then presented existing projects and solutions to empower women . Most revolved 
around three core areas: (i) training, access to informatio n and education, both for women 
entrepreneurs as well as the policymakers and officials involved in trade; (ii) a bigger voice for WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  women 's' concerns in trade policymaking arenas; and (iii) trade facilitation measures to allow these 
MSMEs to access foreign markets more easily . These three themes all coincided with Aid for  Trade, 
which participants highlighted as a key part of the solution .  
129.  In addition, speakers noted large statistical gaps preventing better understanding of trade and 
gender, often due to th e lack of disaggregated data . They also stressed the necessity for joint action 
between the private and public sector .  
130.  Finally, they called for the adoption of a gender approach at all levels of the WTO, not only in 
specific sessions devoted to gender, an d for scaling -up projects that had shown success or potential .  
131.  On the panel were Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy Director -General, World Trade Organization; 
Caitlin Kraft -Buchman, Vice President of International Policy for Global Public Affairs, CEO/Founder, 
Wome n at the Table; Maria Luisa Boyce, Vice President of International Policy for Global Public 
Affairs, UPS; Naa Densua Aryeeetey, Ghana's Trade and Gender Sub -Committee and Executive 
Member of the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association; Mona Ha ddad, Director for 
Trade, Investment and Competitiveness, World Bank Group; David Luke, Professor in Practice and 
Strategic Director, Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa; Simon J . Manley, Ambassador and Permanent 
Representative, United Kingdom, Mission to the  UN and WTO; Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive 
Director, International Trade Centre .  
Reporter:  CUTS  
 
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SESSION 15: PLENARY - HIGH LEVEL AGENCY AID -FOR-TRADE FOCUS SESSION  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Aaron Heslehurst, Business News Presenter  
PANELLISTS  
Opening Remarks:  
Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, Director -General , World Trade Organization  
 
Speakers:  
▪ Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund  
▪ Mari Elka Pangestu, Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank 
Group  
▪ Odile Renaud -Basso, President, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development  
▪ Woochong Um, Managing Director -General, Asian Development Bank  
 
Short Summary  
132.  The session examined how the multiple crises facing the world are impinging on the trade and 
development prospects of developing economies . Multilateral financing institutions play a central 
role in supporting sustainable development and helping developing economies respond to immediate 
concerns, including those aris ing from the continuing disruption caused by the COVID -19 pandemic 
and new food security issues triggered by the on -going war in Ukraine .  
133.  Economies everywhere face inflationary pressures with high food and energy prices hitting 
poor people hardest – and p lacing additional pressures on hard -pressed public budgets . These 
unwelcome trends are coalescing at a time when the need to take action to mobilize finance , to take 
action on greenhouse gas emissions and to support a just transition to a low -carbon model of growth 
has never been more pressing . Against this background, this session discussed where Aid-for-Trade 
financing is going, what it is achieving and how future priorities should balance short -term pressures 
and medium to long -term challenges .  
Long Sum mary  
134.  WTO Director -General Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala highlighted that multilateral financial 
institutions play an essential role in helping developing economies to respond to challenges related 
to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and climate -related shocks . Since the launch of the Aid -for-
Trade Initiative in 2006, some US D 556 billion have been disbursed by donors comprised of 
developing banks and bilateral donor countries . Of this, more than 20% ha s been provided by the 
international financial institutions like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Inter -American 
Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank , etc. This speaks to the role Aid for Trade is playing 
in improving people 's lives and livelih oods. Aid for Trade is also becoming less concessional .  
135.  Since 2011, the share of Aid for Trade disbursed in concessional loans has exceeded the share 
of grants . However, there is still a need for more disbursements, and we need to tap into the 
potential o f public -private partnerships . According to her, we must seek to ensure a more equitable 
distribution of Aid -for-Trade resources to ensure that it reaches those that need it the most . She 
also highlighted that now it is not the time for retreat from trade,  especially since the pandemic has 
underscored the importance of maintaining trade relations .  
136.  At the end, she also emphasized the need to move to a concept of "Invest  for Trade" from 
that of "Aid for Trade", and her intention to  renam e the current WTO Aid-for-Trade Initiative .   
137.  Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF, referring to the darkening horizon for the world 
economy, indicated that all the downside risks anticipated by economists in April this year have 
already materialized . The war in Ukrain e continues, which is having an impact on food and other 
commodity prices, and COVID -19 has led China to undertake lockdowns that have slowed down its 
economy this year to levels not seen in the last 40 years .   WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  138.  She also noted that governments are in an unfavourable position because they have an 
obligation to throw “cold water " on inflation to stop incomes  from suffering . However, what is 
different now is that this year they have less policy space to do so than in 2020 . Prospects for 
returning to the norm al growth will thus diminish . Fiscal policy has to work for vulnerable businesses 
and people but in a very targeted manner to avoid exacerbating inflationary pressures .  
139.  Odile Renaud -Basso, President, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, noted  
her agreement with the view of Ms Georgieva  that short -term pressure on energy security is 
undermining the climate agenda but it can also represent an opportunity to focus on renewable 
energy efficiency . The dramatic effect in Ukraine has translated into sharp decrease in GDP . EBRD 's 
prospects are that Ukraine might lose almost half of its GDP, more precisely -43% according to EBRD 
and -45% according to WBG .  
140.  She noted that EBRD has a green trade facilitation programme in place since 2016 and has 
disbursed  USD 1 . 3 billion so far in green financing . She also highlighted her hopes on the Black Sea 
grain initiative . She noted as well that EBRD has decided to be aligned with the Paris Agreement and 
will only invest in projects that are fully consistent with th e target of ensuring the planet's average 
temperature does not rise more than 1 .5 degrees Celsius above its pre -industrialized level .  
141.  Mari Elka Pangestu, Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank 
Group, referred to the dire situ ation created with the pandemic, as well as the one in Ukraine . She 
noted that multiple crises are particularly affecting developing countries and accentuating 
development challenges that pre -existed before the current crises .  
142.  The World Bank expects extre me poverty to go up by 75 million by the end of the year, with 
food prices rising by 86% since 2020, with 60% of low -income countries experiencing or at high risk 
of debt distress .  
143.  She highlighted the impact the crises will have on how economies move from  a fossil coal or 
fuel-based model to cleaner energy . She also noted that the World Bank has responded immediately 
by bringing forward funding to the poorest countries, and that the institution has a “war chest " of 
USD 93 billion for the future .  
144.  Woochong Um, Managing Director -General, Asian Development Bank , started by highlighting 
the key role digitalization has had in facilitating access to markets . The pandemic has only increased 
the importance of digital connectivity and e -commerce platforms . The digit al economy has the 
capacity to reduce trade costs for firms, especially small and medium -sized enterprises which are 
dominant in many economies in terms of output and job creation .  
145.  On this topic, he also highlighted that nevertheless, the digital divide g ap remains wide and 
that there are numerous barriers holding back the full potential of digital connectivity, especially in 
services sectors . He called on policymakers to work towards mobilizing investment in digital 
infrastructure, noting that appropriate  policy reforms along with regional and international regulatory 
cooperation should also go a long way in terms of improving the transparency and standardization 
and harmonizing the digital trade systems across borders . This should allow digital services t rade to 
flow in a secure and inclusive manner .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 16: WTO ACCESSIONS: COORDINATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DELIVERY FOR 
FULL INTEGRATION IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
Welcome remarks by the Co -Chairs:     
• Zhang Xiangchen , Deputy Director -General , World Trade Organization    
• Pamela Coke -Hamilton , Executive Director , International Trade Centre      
• Lurdes Bessa , Permanent Representative of Timor -Leste to the UN and other IOs in 
Geneva    
• Ulugbek Lapasov , Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the UN and other IOs in 
Geneva    
• Ahmed Mzé , Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Comoros to the UN and other IOs in Geneva     
• Zhanar Aitzhanova , Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the WTO  
 
Short Summary  
146.  The session formally launched a new Coordination Group on Accessions -related Technical 
Assistance (TA) which will serve as a forum for development partners and acceding governments to 
exchange information on WTO accession -specific needs and assistance on a periodic basis . The goal 
of the Group is to ensure that t he evolving TA needs of acceding governments are met in a timely, 
coordinated and tailor -made manner, especially for LDCs, both during accession as well as 
post accession . Following the launch, three acceding Governments (Timor -Leste, Uzbekistan and 
Comoro s) and one recently acceded Member (Kazakhstan) shared their perspectives on the 
relevance of the Group .  
Long Summary  
147.  The session formally launched a new Coordination Group on Accessions -related Technical 
Assistance which will serve as a forum for develop ment partners and acceding governments to 
exchange information on WTO accession -specific needs and assistance on a periodic basis . The goal 
of the Group is to ensure that the evolving TA needs of acceding governments are met in a timely, 
coordinated and ta ilor-made manner, especially for LDCs, both during accession as well as 
post-accession . Participation in the Group will be open to multilateral, regional and bilateral 
development partners involved in the delivery of TA to acceding governments . The Group w ill meet 
both collectively and in a country - or region -specific format .     
148.  The speakers of the session emphasized the key role TA plays in WTO accessions and agreed 
that it is indispensable for the most vulnerable economies, especially LDCs and fragile an d 
conflict -affected states, which account for over half of the governments in the process of acceding 
to the WTO . While WTO Members and development partners have responded positively to the 
increasing demand for WTO accession -related TA, the need for great er coordination has been 
repeatedly cited by development partners and acceding governments alike . In this regard, the WTO 
Secretariat has often been asked to play a coordinating role, whether in the form of compiling TA 
needs or organi zing TA Roundtables, often on the margins of accession Working Party meetings . The 
importance of enhanced coordination was stressed in February 2022 by WTO Director -General 
Ngozi  Okonjo -Iweala in her first Report on Accessions to the WTO Membership .    
149.  In his opening remarks, the moderator and Co -Chair of the session, WTO Deputy 
Director -General Xiangchen Zhang stressed the critical importance of integrating TA and training in 
building the acceding countries' trade capacity during the accession and post -accession phases in 
order to better benefit from WTO Membership . He also stressed the importance of ensuring good 
coordination in the accession process .     
150.  The other Co -Chair of the session, Pamela Coke -Hamilton, Executive Director of the 
International Trade Centre (ITC) spoke of the crucial role of the accession process in helping 
countries undergo structural and trade liberalizing reforms that trigger further economic 
development . The ITC is the first development partner to join the newly established Coordination 
Group . Following the welcome remarks of the Co -Chairs on the occasion of the launch of the new 
Coordination Group, three acceding Governments who have greatly benefitted from TA in their WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  accession journey shared their perspectives on the relevance of the Group: T imor-Leste, Uzbekistan 
and Comoros .      
151.  Lurdes Bessa, Permanent Representative of Timor -Leste to the UN in Geneva, said that the 
newly created Coordination Group will be key in improving the efficiency and efficacy of the support 
given to acceding countri es and to new WTO Members . Ambassador Bessa reiterated the 
commitment of Timor -Leste to conclude the accession negotiating process by the end of this year 
and become a WTO Member in 2023, a goal that was mentioned by the Government of Timor -Leste 
on the 3rd Working Party meeting in April 2022 . She also participated in the successful high -level 
Chair's visit to Dili in July 2022 which included a round table with development partners and donors 
supporting Timor -Leste's WTO accession .      
152.  Ulugbek Lapasov, Per manent Representative of Uzbekistan to the UN in Geneva, also fully 
supported the launch of the new Group as the appropriate forum for acceding governments and 
development partners to exchange information on WTO accession -specific needs and assistance on 
a periodic basis . Uzbekistan held a successful 5th Working Party meeting in June 2022 and is 
preparing for the next cycle .     
153.  Ahmed Mzé, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Comoros to the UN in Geneva, referred 
to the close collaboration with the WTO Se cretariat on technical assistance . Since 2016 the 
Secretariat has played a coordinating role with other development partners in the delivery of TA 
supporting Comoros' accession process . Mr Mzé underlined that for Comoros,  coordination was a 
vital component  of technical assistance and that they greatly benefitted from the Secretariat's 
coordinating role . Comoros' technical assistance and capacity building needs were discussed at a 
round table with development partners in January 2022 . As reiterated at the 7th Working Party 
meeting in May 2022, Comoros aims at finalizing the work of the Working Party this year, and 
becoming a WTO Member in 2023 .     
154.  Finally, Kazakhstan's WTO Ambassador Zhanar Aitzhanova shared her country's experience of 
acceding to the WTO in  2015, where technical assistance and trainings delivered by the WTO 
Secretariat, as well as ITC and UNCTAD, played a key role . She also touched upon the proposal by 
the Group of Article XII Members on accession reform that could be taken up as part of the  talks on 
WTO reform launched at the 12th Ministerial Conference held last June .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 17: INCLUSIVE, EMPOWERING, RESILIENT, AND SUSTAINABLE TRADE, WTO 
ACADEMIC CHAIRS PROGRAMME  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Etienne Oudot de Dainville, Permanent Representative of France to World Trade 
Organization, France  
PANELLISTS  
Keynote Speaker  
Stephen N Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, UN Economic Commission for 
Africa, WCP Academic Advisory Board Member  
 
Opening Remarks  
Sarah Ahn, Director -General for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the 
Republic of Korea  
 
Presentations of Case Studies  
▪ Riza Arfani, WTO Chair from Indonesia: Trade, circular economy and sustainable development, 
SDG 12  
▪ Jan Yves Remy, WTO Chair from Barbados: Empower women into trade policy formulation, SDG5  
▪ Boopen Seetanah, WTO Chair from Mauritius: Enhance the private sectors and MSMEs as a 
catalyst to support resilient and inclusive recovery  
Ambassadors round table and discussion  
▪ Chad Blackman, Permanent Representative of Barbados to the WTO  
▪ Dandy Satria Iswara, Deputy Permanent Representative of Indonesia in charge of WTO issues  
▪ Cleopa Kilonzo Mailu, Permanent Representative of Kenya (ACP Group Coordinator)  
Discussants  
• WTO Chairs: Amrita Bahri (Mexico), Tabitha Nganga (Kenya) and Leila Baghdadi (Tunisia)  
• Academic Advisory Board Members: Trudi Hartzenberg, TRALAC (online) an d Richard 
Newfarmer (International Growth Center)  
Short Summary  
155.  This panel discussion focused on inclusive trade from several different angles including gender 
and trade, post -pandemic recovery and inclusive growth through better inclusion of MSMEs, and the 
green and blue economy . Three projects conducted by the WTO Chairs Network in 2021 in relation 
to the UN SDG agenda were presented . The first highlighted how circular economy and green 
economy imperatives are related to sustainable growth models and in clusive development . The 
second focused on the nexus between trade policy instruments and gender equality . The third 
showed the challenges and role of MSMEs and digitalization in resilient recovery from the pandemic .  
Long Summary  
156.  This panel discussion foc used on inclusive trade from several different angles including gender 
and trade, post -pandemic recovery and inclusive growth through better inclusion of MSMEs and the 
transition to the green and blue economy . Three projects conducted by the WTO Chairs Net work in 
2021 in relation to the UN SDG agenda were presented . The projects illustrated how the research 
agendas of the WTO Chairs Network are closely related to sustainable and inclusive development 
issues, trade priorities of developed and least  developed  countries and the SDG agenda .  
157.  Sarah Ahn, Director -General for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of 
the Republic of Korea delivered the opening statements, introducing the advantages of the expanded 
WCP Network and its contributi ons to the research and analysis on the UN SDGs . She was followed 
by Stephen N Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, UN Economic Commission WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  for Africa, and WCP Academic Advisory Board Member, who delivered the keynote speech for the 
session and introduced the main themes of the development goals which were discussed .  
158.  The first presentation by Riza Arfani, WTO Chair from Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada 
highlighted how circular economy (SDG12) and green economy imperatives are relate d to 
sustainable growth models and inclusive development . The project continues to expand and promote 
knowledge co -production in developing countries on the linkages of the WTO, international trade 
policy, and circular economy from regional, national, and sub-national perspectives and the role of 
Aid for Trade in supporting this trend . It is particularly important, considering recent topics that have 
been the focus of G20 discussions . The initiative was designed to explore knowledge co -production 
and collab orative learning . After capturing the general pattern of knowledge diffusion in Indonesia, 
the findings generated were used to conduct specific research on knowledge diffusion in specific 
sectors including the marine industry, solid waste management, batte ry construction, and the 
agribusiness and food packaging industries . Through the initiative, long term partnerships with 
university institutions, start -ups, waste material labs and SMEs were formed through a consortium . 
The WTO Chair in Indonesia now colla borates with 23 schools and vocational institutions for the 
dissemination of the circular economy practices for waste sorting and management, hydroponic 
farming, rainwater harvesting, and robotics, among other activities . Through the project, these 
practic es are also being integrated and institutionalized through the involvement of sub -national and 
national governments .  
159.  The second presentation focused on a project conducted by the WTO Chairs in Barbados, 
Mexico, and Chile on the nexus between trade policy instruments and gender equality (SDG5) and 
the importance of mainstreaming gender concerns into trade policy formulation . The research 
generated through the project is a first systematic attempt to offer an all -encompassing 
interdisciplinary approach to tr ade and gender issues . It explored and developed the debate over a 
range of cutting -edge issues of trade policy and gender . Jan Yves Remy, WTO Chair in Barbados at 
the University of the West Indies indicated the importance of bringing these issues to polic ymakers 
within Latin America and the Caribbean in addition to bringing them to students . This was done 
through a training course on trade and gender in the Americas which was attended by 35 participants 
from across different countries including Barbados, T rinidad and Tobago, St . Vincent and the 
Grenadines, Grenada, St . Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Kenya, Senegal, Mexico, Chile, and Costa Rica, 
as well as a seminar series involving leading experts in the field from several international 
organizations such as U NCTAD, the OECD, the International Trade Centre, and the WTO . The series 
alone attracted an online audience of more than 1000 . Amrita Bahri, WTO Co -Chair in Mexico at the 
Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México presented the handbook on trade policy and g ender 
equality produced through this project during Session 1 of the Aid for Trade Global Review 2022 .  
160.  The third presentation focused on a project run by Boopen Seetanah, the WTO Chair in 
Mauritius at the University of Mauritius which studied the challeng es and role of MSMEs and 
digitalization in resilient recovery from the pandemic, with a case study presenting the results of a 
survey of 380 MSMEs which was conducted from September to November 2021 to analyse the effects 
of COVID -19 on MSMEs in Mauritius including women and blue entrepreneurs . It also investigated 
the factors that prevent Mauritian women micro -entrepreneurs from shifting to digital trade . 
Interviews were conducted with the MSMEs as well as with key stakeholders such as the National 
Women Entrepreneur Council and SME Mauritius . The case study compared the impact of COVID -19 
on overall performance of female and male -led enterprises and the factors preventing women MSMEs 
from moving into the digital environment . These results were then used as a basis for a training 
course specifically targeted toward alleviating the effect of these problems and ensuring resiliency . 
As a follow up on this project the WTO Chair's team in Mauritius has been mandated to conduct a 
national study on e -commerc e in conjunction with the country's involvement with the Joint Initiative 
on E-commerce at the WTO .  
161.  Following these presentations, Ambassador Chad Blackman, Permanent Representative of 
Barbados to the WTO, Ambassador Dandy Satria Iswara, Deputy Permanent Representative of 
Indonesia in charge of WTO issues, and Ambassador Cleopa Kilonzo Mailu, Permanent 
Representative of Kenya (ACP Group Coordinator) weighed in on the success of the WCP Projects 
conducted within their countries in driving forward sustainabl e, resilient recovery from the pandemic .  
Reporter:  WTO 
_______________  
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  SESSION 18: ADDRESSING THE CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGE OF SMALL ECONOMIES  
ORGANIZER(S): Commonwealth Secretariat  
MODERATOR: Ambassador Colin Murdoch, Permanent Delegation of the OECS to the United Nations 
Office and other international organi zations, Geneva  
PANELLISTS  
• Stephen Fevrier, Senior Adviser to the Director -General of the World Trade Organization  
• Robin Koepke, Economist, International Monetary Fund  
• Simon J Manley, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, United Kingdom, Mission 
to the UN and WTO  
• Raj Mohabeer, Chargé de mission, Indian Ocean Commission  
 
Short Summary  
162.   The session explored the connectivity challenges limiting the participation of small economies 
in global trade and identified pragmatic ways to address these constraints . Specific connectivity 
challenges highlighted include inadequate transportation infrastructure, limited air and maritime 
trade routes, unreliable ICT infrastructure and insufficient acc ess to digital platforms and online 
financial services . The panellists explained that these challenges are exacerbated by the 
disproportionate exposure of small economies to exogenous shocks like natural disasters and climate 
change, and argued they need t o be combatted by both regional and international cooperation as 
well as dedicated aid resources and innovative digital technologies supporting connectivity .  
Long Summary  
163.   The moderator, Ambassador Colin Murdoch, opened the session by outlining the inhere nt 
challenges facing small states . He underlined the enormity of these challenges and stressed that 
issues such as climate change threaten the very existence of some small island developing states 
(SIDS) . He argued there needs to be a shift away from a sin gular focus on how these limitations 
constrain small states and towards how small states can transcend them .      
164.  The first panellist, Stephen Fevrier, highlighted the main connectivity challenges facing small 
states . He noted that these challenges are mul tifaceted and include inadequate transportation 
infrastructure, limited air and maritime trade routes, high costs and unreliable ICT infrastructure as 
well as limited access to digital platforms and online financial services . Trade costs are much higher 
for small and underserved markets than they are for larger and more mature markets, and this 
hinders small states from accessing and exploiting the opportunities available in global markets . He 
noted that it costs approximately USD  2,100 to ship a 20 -foot co ntainer load from Miami to St . Lucia 
whereas shipping the same container to Shanghai, China, some 10,000km from Miami, costs 
USD 1,100 . He added that travelling between Dominica and Trinidad & Tobago can be more 
expensive than flying between Dominica and M iami. Aid for Trade, he argued, can address these 
challenges but must become more dynamic . There needs to be a focus on crowding in private 
investments and understanding how public -private partnerships can help small states reach new 
markets and address ke y supply -side constraints .      
165.  The second panellist, Robin Koepke, focused on how natural disasters and other 
climate -related challenges impact trade and connectivity in small economies . He noted that climate 
extremes have a disproportionate macroeconomic impact on small economies and particularly on 
SIDS, and explained that natural disasters are especially disruptive for maritime trade . He stressed 
that the limited availability of data on natural disasters in these countries makes it difficult for 
policymakers to respond and build resilience to future crises .     
166.  The third speaker, Raj Mohabeer, focused on how regional cooperation can address the 
trade -related connectivity challenges confronting small economies . He stressed ho w important 
regional connectivity is for economic development in small economies, especially the island states 
of the south -west Indian ocean region . Accordingly, he suggested small states must address regional 
connectivity by focusing on three pillars: ai r, digital and maritime connectivity , and added they must 
be encouraged to work together rather than focusing on national interests . To provide effective WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  assistance, he argued  that development partners first need to understand the realities of small 
econom ies.      
167.  The final speaker, Ambassador Simon Manley, reiterated the connectivity challenges faced by 
small states and outlined how the COVID -19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have further 
constrained these vulnerable economies . He echoed Mr Mohabeer 's assertion that donors much first 
understand the real challenges facing small economies in order to assist them properly . He stressed 
there needs to be a mix of public and private capital to help transform the infrastructure 
underpinning trade in small econom ies. He noted that the UK is playing an important role, including 
by co -chairing the Digital Connectivity Cluster under the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda . In 
addition, the UK is actively working with partners such as the Commonwealth, ITC and ITU to add ress 
digital divides, including through ongoing projects in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and other 
non-Commonwealth countries .     
168.  During a second round of interventions focused on pragmatic solutions to the connectivity 
challenges affecting small economies, Stephen Fevrier concurred that technology could help small 
states to access external markets, but highlighted the challenges fac ed by small businesses and 
underserved communities in accessing the necessary technology and digital platforms . He 
emphasised the importance of understanding how the e -commerce negotiations at the WTO can play 
a role in ensuring a predictable and safe envi ronment for the treatment of data and cybersecurity 
while also protecting consumers . He highlighted the need to broaden access to digital technology 
and e -commerce platforms, particularly for MSMEs, and emphasised the important role played by 
institutional  programmes such as the Enhanced Integrated Framework for LDCs and the ITC . He 
added that access to finance is critical to help MSMEs expand and scale their operations . He also 
highlighted the need for policy engagement through incubators or sandboxes to b etter understand 
the role of new technologies – such as FinTech, blockchain and innovative e -commerce platforms  - in 
supporting connectivity and access to external markets .     
169.  Ambassador Manley cited an example of how the UK is helping Zambia resolve trad e-related 
connectivity challenges through engagement with the Zambian Revenue Authority, which uses digital 
reforms to address bottlenecks at border posts . Additionally, he noted that British investment 
partnerships are helping to mobili ze capital to addre ss infrastructure needs in the developing world .    
170.  Raj Mohabeer explained how the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) is helping to address 
connectivity constraints limiting the participation of its members in global trade by focusing on 
enhancing their capacit y in air, digital and maritime connectivity . The IOC has also developed a 
strategy to help its member countries expand their trade with other regions outside of Europe and 
Asia, notably in continental Africa . The IOC has developed a data service to help po licymakers 
understand trade flows to and from the region with a view to aiding informed decision -making .      
171.  Robin Koepke noted that 80 % of global trade volumes are channelled through ports, which 
are highly vulnerable to natural disasters . He highlighted  an innovative project called PortWatch, 
developed by the IMF in collaboration with Oxford University, which recogni zes this challenge and 
provides timely data on natural disaster -related trade disruptions at ports . He explained that 
PortWatch has three la yers: monitoring (which examines what happens immediately after a disaster 
hits and identifies the direct impact on affected countries); spill -over analysis (which assesses what 
will happen to countries indirectly affected by a disaster that compromises th e maritime shipping 
network); and scenario analysis (which evaluates what could happen in the future) .  
Reporter:  Commonwealth Secretariat  
 
_______________  
 
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 19: TRADE'S ROLE IN ADDRESSING FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE ARAB 
REGION: ENVISAGED CONTRIBUTION OF THE 2ND PHASE OF THE AID -FOR-TRADE 
INITIATIVE FOR THE ARAB STATES PROGRAMME (AFTIAS 2 . 0) 
ORGANIZER(S): International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation  
MODERATOR: M. Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer, International Islamic Trade Finance 
Corporation  
PANELLISTS  
• Saqr Bin Abdullah Al -Muqbel, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the WTO, and coordinator of the Arab Group at the WT O  
• Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy Director -General, World Trade Organization   
• Mohammed Bin Obaid Al Mazrooei, Chairman, Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment 
and Development   
• Ali Al-Moselhi, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Arab Republic of Egypt   
• Maximo Torero, Assistant Director -General  and Chief Economist, Food and Agriculture 
Organization of the United Nations   
• Ibrahim Adam Ahmed El -Dukheri, Director -General, Arab Organization for Agricultural 
Development  
 
Short Summary  
172.   This session highlighte d the importance that trade plays in confronting the food security 
challenges in the Arab region . It also examined contributions - including through the second phase 
of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative for the Arab States Programme (AfTIAS 2 . 0) which is being  
implemented by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation - to help Arab countries 
guarantee the food security of their peoples, despite lasting COVID -19 socio -economic impacts in 
the region coupled with the war in Ukraine which affected supply a nd prices of basic commodities 
globally .  
Long Summary  
173.   M. Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation 
(ITFC), moderated the session and introduced the speakers .      
174.  Hani Sonbol, Chief Executive Officer, ITFC,  chaired the session . In his opening remarks, he 
noted that while COVID -19 challenges lingered, another important challenge had emerged: food 
security . The COVID -19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine exacerbated commodity prices . Also, 
droughts made the agric ultural season unfavourable in several Arab economies .      
175.  Against that background, the IFTC, an arm of the Islamic Development Bank for trade finance 
and development, plays a role in contributing to guaranteeing food security through projects, 
including in the agribusiness industry . In that regard, the ITFC aims to increase the share of financing 
directed towards the agricultural and food sectors to a level in the range of USD 1.8 billion . As an 
example, the "Agribooster " project, where together with the OCP Group - a Morocco -based leading 
global provider of phosphate and its derivatives - ITFC supplied twenty thousand farmers in 
Côte d'Ivoire with fertilizers to increase their yields .      
176.  As part of the second phase of ITFC's Aid -for-Trade Initiative for the Arab States Programme 
which had been launched on 27 October 2021 and will be implemented over five years, five projects 
had been approved and will benefit Egypt, Algeria, Mauritania and Yemen in areas related to fore ign 
trade, a priority in their national development plans . Three regional projects were also approved for 
the benefit of all Arab countries with the aim of supporting economic integration . Among these 
approved regional projects is the "Facilitating Agricul tural Trade in the Arab Region " project, which 
will be implemented by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, over a period of two 
years, and aims to contribute to achieving food security in the Arab region, through the development 
of commercia l agriculture and the reduction of food imports from outside the region .     WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
- 44 - 
 
  177.  In concluding, Hani Sonbol said that international trade remained the main engine for 
economic growth, for promoting development, for attracting investment, and a major factor in 
ensuring food security . Therefore, he hoped more countries could benefit f rom the AfTIAS 2 . 0 
program, to promote joint Arab action and achieve the goal of ensuring a better life for the peoples 
of the Arab region .     
178.  Ambassador Saqr bin Abdullah Al -Muqbe l noted that the geopolitical pressures had added to 
the challenges the wor ld was confronting, in terms of shortage in food supply, particularly in the 
Arab region where many depend on imports . He said that strengthening agricultural production 
capacity in  the region, not imposing export restrictions on agricultural products were important to 
have a strong economic programme to confront the challenge and achieve economic and social 
goals .     
179.  WTO Deputy Director -General Zhang appreciated the work of  the ITFC, an important partner 
of the WTO on  Aid for Trade, to foster development and promote stability . He observed that the 
conflict in Ukraine was aggravating risks for the Arab region by increasing uncertainty and 
commodity prices . The UN estimated 70 million  more suffered from malnutrition in 2021 . He recalled 
that creating jobs, eradicating poverty were fundamental rationales of Aid for Trade; and that further 
support was needed to restore trade flows, reduce poverty . He commended the ITFC for the 
AfTIAS  2. 0 projects as also its other programmes such as the African trade bridge programme and 
the West African SME programme .     
180.  Mohamed Almazrooei, Chairman, Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and 
Development, set the scene of the food security challeng es in the Arab region . He underlined that 
several Arab countries relied heavily on imports from Ukraine and the Russian Federation for their 
food consumptions . Therefore, he recommended countries in the region find alternative sources of 
imports and that t hey mitigate, with the support by ITFC supply chain challenges .      
181.  Ali Moselhy, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Arab Republic of Egypt, suggested to 
reconsider how supply chains had been organized and possibly divert from tight supply chains . He 
underlined the critical importance to develop infrastructure to help mitigate the risks .      
182.  Maximo Torero, Assistant Director -General  and Chief Economist at the Food and Agriculture 
Organization noted that the Arab region was characterized by high depend ency on imported foods, 
scarcity of resources and vulnerable to climate change . He also noted that, nonetheless, an 
opportunity lied to increase efficiency through reduction of wastes, which was significant; and to 
reduce losses from transportation, in con junction with efforts to diversify sources of imports and 
increase local production .  
Reporter:  WTO 
 
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  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 20: HOW CAN EXPORTING COUNTRIES IMPROVE UTILIZATION OF US TRADE 
PREFERENCE PROGRAMS? A CONVERSATION ON US TRADE PREFERENCE PROGRAMS AND 
RATES OF UTILIZATION  
ORGANIZER(S): United States  
MODERATOR: Paul Fekete, Senior International Trade Advisor, USAID 's Center for Economics and 
Market Development  
Speakers   
• Stefano F . Inama, Chief, Technical Assistance, Trade and Customs, UNCTAD   
• Darlan F . Martí, Trade Policy Specialist, World Trade Organization   
• Patrick Fox, Senior Director, Customs and Trade Strategy, VF Corporation   
• Bob Margevicius, Executive Vice President, Specialized Bicycles   
• Greg Poole, Chief Sourcing Officer, The Children 's Place   
• Kent Shigetomi, Director for Multilateral Non -Tariff Bar riers, USTR   
• Cen Williams, Hub Leader for Africa and Middle East region, PVH Corporation  
 
Short Summary  
183.   The session looked at why utilization of US trade preference programmes varies across 
regions and industries . The rules or origin (RoO) and certain a dministrative requirements in general 
pose formidable challenges to drive the utilization rates of trade preferences . However, the utilization 
rate is high under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) . Moreover, AGOA offers good 
investment opportunities  and supports American industries in importing and selling high -quality, 
low-cost apparel, footwear and accessories for American consumers .  
Long Summary  
184.   The first part of the session captured countries' perspectives to the utilization of trade 
preference s with special focus on US trade preferences . Kent Shigetomi, Director for Multilateral 
Non-Tariff Barriers, USTR began the conversation briefly highlighting the product coverage, 
beneficiaries, and rules of origin under existing five preference programmes  of the US . In terms of 
rules of origin, the US applies a rule of origin based on whether a good is a product of the beneficiary 
countries and the amount of originating content in the good as a percentage of the good 's value . For 
example, the non -textile p roducts utilize the rule of origin that require an RVC of 35% . The utilization 
rate of trade preference is high under AGOA . However, utilization is uneven and varies across 
beneficiaries . Furthermore, 16 AGOA beneficiaries developed national strategies to boost exports . 
Agriculture, textiles and apparel are key industries for these countries .      
185.  After the presentation on the utilization of US trade preferences, Darlan F . Martí, Trade Policy 
Specialist, WTO elucidated the work and contribution of the WTO Committee on Rules of Origin 
(CRO) on the utilization of trade preferences by LDCs . He recapped the mandate of the Hong Kong 
Ministerial Declaration relating to simple and transparent rules of origin applied to LDCs . The Bali 
Ministerial Decision was the first WTO legal instrument that dealt with the design of preferential rules 
of origin . It required the CRO to monitor and review the developments in this area . The subsequen t 
Nairobi Decision asked the Secretariat to calculate utilization rates . He then added that the 
calculation of the utilization rate could be an indicator or a tool to assess the effectiveness of 
preferential rules of origin . The main lessons learnt from th e work conducted by the CRO included , 
among others: (i) underutilization varied across sectors, preferential schemes and LDCs; 
(ii) underutilization was high in sectors that were subject to the "wholly obtained criteria " (such as 
agricultural products); (i ii) despite availability of trade preferences, imports originating in LDCs did 
not always receive a duty preference; (iv) strong volatility in utilization despite stable importing 
conditions; and (v) capacity to utilize preferences varied strongly among LD Cs.    
186.   Lastly, Stefano Inama, Chief, Technical Assistance, Trade and Customs, UNCTAD focused on 
myths and facts concerning drivers of utilization rates (URs) . While preferential margins are widely 
considered as the key factor to drive URs, the firm level research shows that profit margins, trade 
volumes, flexibility in sourcing, RoO, and administrative requirements among others are key factors 
in this regard . The leniency or stringency of a given RoO should be measured against manufacturing 
requirements re lated to a firm's location and supply of inputs . More attention should be paid to how WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
- 46 - 
 
  RoO operate in the real world . In addition, the documentary evidence of origin i .e., certificate of 
origin, evidence of direct consignment, suppliers' declarations and ac counting segregation are major 
obstacles to utilise preferences .     
187.   The second part of the session brought forth some interesting case studies on factors 
industries consider in sourcing decisions and the benefits Africa offers in sourcing . Patrick Fox, S enior 
Director, Customs and Trade Strategy, VF Corporation set the stage for discussions through 
providing some basic rationale behind sourcing . He noted that the sourcing decision for his company 
largely depends on capability and capacity of factories alo ng with preferential duty rate . The benefits 
of sourcing from one region compared to other regions are also taken into account . The company 
also considers factors other than preferential duty rates that may affect sourcing decisions . Hence, 
the knowledge o f RoO plays an important role, in particular, whether meeting the RoO requirements 
is easy or hard or even feasible at all . In addition, his company considers other administrative 
difficulties in using the preference programmes .      
188.  Cen Williams, Hub Lead er for Africa and Middle East region, PVH Corporation pinpointed the 
key reasons for his company to invest in Africa and what Africa offers to the world . In his opinion, 
Africa under AGOA and other trade deals offers a compelling value proposition for the textile and 
apparel sectors . The continent is one of the last opportunities where industries could be developed, 
and sustainable investment could be made . The government support, duty free rates under AGOA, 
competitive costing and sustainability are some o f the factors that led his company to invest in Africa 
in 2015 . However, the domestic political situation, national regulatory policies and human and labour 
rights records of individual countries should be assessed beforehand .      
189.  Greg Poole, Chief Sourci ng Officer, The Children 's Place explained how the AGOA has been at 
the core of the US economic and commercial engagement with Africa . The key benefits of AGOA in 
his opinion include , among others: (i) it supports economic development, employment and the 
livelihood of garment workers, 85% of whom are women; (ii) it allows American companies to reduce 
reliance on China for sourcing products; (iii) it provides good investment opportunities in Africa; and 
(iv) it supports American companies in importing and se lling high -quality, low -cost apparel, footwear 
and accessories for American consumers .        
190.  Finally, Bob Margevicius, Executive Vice President, Specialized Bicycle talked about trends in 
sourcing and choosing a location for manufacturing . The strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and 
threats in this regard for some countries were highlighted . The key strengths for Cambodia come 
from minimum wage, DFQF market access, abundant cheap labour and good transport links . Weak 
rule of law, poor infrastru cture, corruption, lack of respect for basic human rights, labour unrest, 
and increased competition from other low -cost countries are some of the challenges for Cambodia . 
While the main opportunities for Chinese Taipei derive from its innovation, high qual ity production, 
skilled labour force and big trade surplus, conversely, the political uncertainties with China, labour 
shortages, few natural resources, limited opportunity to scale locally and volatile currency are some 
of the weaknesses .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 21: IMPROVING LLDCS ' CONNECTIVITY: THE ROLE OF AID FOR TRADE  
ORGANIZER(S): Botswana, Landlocked developing countries Group, UNOHRLLS  
PANELLISTS  
• Zhanar Aitzanova, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the WTO  
• Doreen Bogdan -Martin, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau International 
Telecommunication Union  
• Bill Gain, Global Lead, Trade Facilitation, Customs Reform & Border Management, Trade 
& Regional Integration Unit, World Bank Group  
• Dolores Halloran, Acting Secretary of the WTO TF Committee, World Trade Organisation  
• Athaliah L . Molokomme, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Botswana to the 
UN and other International Organizations in Geneva - Coordinator LLDCs,  
• Tatiana Rey -Bellet, IRU Di rector, TIR & Transit  
• Heidi Schroderus -Fox, Acting High Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS  
Short Summary  
191.  Due to their geographical location, LLDCs lack direct access to seaports, and they rely on their 
transit neighbours for access . They therefore  face a myriad of challenges with respect to connectivity 
including inadequate transport infrastructure, multiple border crossings, complex administrative 
transit and border procedures . COVID -19 has further exposed and exacerbated the LLDCs ' 
challenges . The closing of borders and the introduction of measures to curb the spread of the virus 
further increased LLDCs ' trade costs . The session brought together all relevant stakeholders with a 
view to explor ing solutions to addressing LLDCs ' connectivity challeng es and the role of Aid for Trade. 
It highlighted the importance of enhancing LLDCs ' transport and ICT connectivity in building back 
better post COVID -19 and in achieving sustainable development .  
Long Summary  
192.  Due to their geographical location, Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs ) lack direct 
access to seaports, and they rely on their transit neighbours for access . They therefore face a myriad 
of challenges with respect to connectivity including inadequate transport infrastructure, multiple 
border crossings, complex administrative transit and border procedures . COVID -19 has further 
exposed and exacerbated the LLDCs challenges . The closing of borders and the introduction of 
measures to curb the spread of the virus further increased LLDCs ' trade costs. The session brought 
together all relevant stakeholders with a view to explor ing solutions to addressing LLDCs ' 
connectivity challenges and the role of Aid for Trade. It highlighted the importance of enhancing 
LLDCs ' transport and ICT connectivity in  building back better post COVID -19.  
193.  The discussion centred around the challenges faced such as high trade costs due to 
intermediaries, low air transport connectivity and high broadband costs since LLDCs are dependent 
on other countries for simple resourc es such as cables, among others . Subsequently, the panellists 
discussed the steps taken so far under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Trade, World Trade 
Organi zation report on easing trade bottlenecks in  LLDCs, and the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
(TFA) . Stories of success were also presented by Kazakhstan who have made strong efforts post 
pandemic to build not only rail infrastructure but also information technology . The World Bank further 
presented their work in close to 30 countries towards building soft and hard infrastructure to enhance 
competitiveness which is seen as ideal for global trade .  
194.  In such a backdrop, road transport was considered of principal significance to enhancing both 
regional and global connectivity . Increased participation and interna tional cooperation is further seen 
as the key to a prospective solution towards building efficient infrastructure in LLDCs assisting trade . 
The m ost discussed topic was also the role of the TFA in achieving inclusive growth through 
involvement of LLDCs in global supply chains . As part of the solution, it was recommended that 
LLDCs should ensure transparency through the use of notification and counter notification within 
TFA. The need for enhanced connectivity by digitali zing border processes and targeted Ai d-for-Trade 
support was also seen as part of next steps forward .  
Reporter:  CUTS  
_______________  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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SESSION 22: PARTNER'S CONFERENCE TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FOR 
COTTON PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, TRANSFORMATION AND TRADE IN LDCS .  
ORGANIZER(S): International Trade Centre, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 
and World Trade Organizati on 
MODERATOR: Jean-Marie Paugam , Deputy Director -General, WTO  
PANELLISTS  
Keynote Speakers:   
• Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, Director -General, WTO   
• Ali Djadda K ampard , Minister of Trade and Industry of Chad and Coordinator of the 
Group  C-4   
• Pamela Coke -Hamilton, Executive Director, ITC   
• Teresa Moreira, OiC, Division of International Trade and Commodities, on behalf of Rebeca 
Grynspan, Secretary -General, UNCTAD     
   
Speakers:  
• Mahmoud O uld Mohamed , Minister of Trade and Industry, Mali  
• Angelo D an, Ambassador, Embassy of Benin in France   
• Dieudonné W . Désiré Sougouri, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso 
to the WTO   
• Escipion Oliveria, Assistant Secretary -General, Secretariat of the Organization of African, 
Caribbean and Pacific States    
 
Partner Interventions:   
• Willem Olthof, Deputy Head of Unit, Sustainable Agri -Food systems and Fisheries, DG -
DEVCO , European Commission Directorate -General for International Cooperation and 
Develo pment      
• Gregory Howell, Deputy Mission Director to USAID's West Africa Regional Mission , United 
States of America (USAID)      
• Ambassador Ruy Pereira, Director, Brazilian Cooperation Agency  
• Richard Colback, Senior Operations Officer, Industry Speci alist, Sustainable Crop 
Production, Global Platform Lead, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services International 
Financial Corporation     
• Babajide Sodipo, Senior Manager Export Development Advisory , African Export -Import 
Bank    
• Annette Ssemuwemba, Dep uty Executive Director , Enhanced Integrated Framework    
• Dejene T ezera , Director, Department of Agribusiness Development United Nations 
Industrial Development Organization , 
• Alan McClay, CEO, Better Cotton  
 
Short Summary  
195.   This session focused on development assistance for cotton production, processing, 
transformation, and trade in LDCs . The objective of this session was to highlight the importance of 
cotton for the achievement of sustainable development goals in the broader  socio-economic 
framework of these countries as well as to give an opportunity to high -level development assistance 
partners to discuss specific development assistance project needs and responses within the overall 
LDCs' recovery plan from the COVID -19 pan demic . This session aimed to pair projects seeking 
funding with donors and agencies to foster financial and technical support and build partnerships .  
Long Summary  
196.  WTO Director -General Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala opened the session by detailing the difficulties 
faced in the cotton sector as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic . During the pandemic in 2020 the 
value of cotton fell by an average of 34% .  Due to long value chains, the cotton sector was 
particularly susceptible to supply chain disruptions a nd price shocks which jeopardi zed the job and 
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  value addition, building resilience in the sector, the development of cotton by -products, the 
sustainable us e of resources and gender -inclusive employment were highlighted as areas of focus 
moving forward for those within the sector .    
197.  Ali Djadda K ampard  who was representing the four key cotton (C4) producing countries in 
Africa restated the critical importance  of cotton in the C4 countries . Accounting for 40% of exports, 
cotton is a cash crop with a large political and social impact in the C4 countries . As such, 
cotton -producing countries seek partnerships to allow them to further develop sustainable cotton 
value chains and create more inclusive jobs . This event presented a direct opportunity to facilitate 
financing and much needed technical assistance directly to the proposed projects, an ambition which 
was supported by both ITC and UNCTAD who have partnered wi th various countries in the region to 
build capacities in their cotton sectors .     
198.  Subsequently, this session continued by opening the floor to speakers who were able to 
present specific projects with requests for financing . All speakers emphasi zed the im portance of 
paragraph 10 of the 2013 Bali Ministerial decision which encourages LDCs and their development 
partners to explore regional dimensions to the technical assistance in the cotton sector and 
paragraph 11 of the 2015 Nairobi decision which encourag es LDC producers to identify priorities 
which shall be the basis of future programmes by development partners through initiatives such as 
Aid for Trade .     
199.  Mahmoud O uld Mohamed,  the Minister of Trade and Industry from Mali, began by restating 
the developm ental, environmental and food security importance that the cotton sector has for Mali . 
Mali's five-year strategic development program aims to improve productivity in light of climate 
change and ongoing market volatility . The four proposed strategic projects in Mali are classified in 
four priority areas: cotton production, value addition, innovation and technologies and value addition 
through b y-products .     
200.  Dieudonné W . Désiré Sougouri, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso 
to the WTO noted that although there was commitment to the cotton sector through the existing 
"Route du Coton" there has been no implementation thus far . Burkina Faso states that their new 
proposed programme amongst other things shall: help in frastructure, build economies of scale, 
increase productivity, diffuse new technologies, allow for non -industrial transformation, facilitate 
trade through trade corridors in Africa and enhance development in the region .      
201.  Angelo D an, Ambassador to the E mbassy of Benin in France outlined the specific development 
needs of Benin in the cotton sector . Benin submitted four projects which require funding . These 
projects aim to prevent the contamination of cotton seeds, invest in cotton sorting, improve yields 
and improve the working conditions of cotton producers .    
202.   Escipion Oliveria, Assistant Secretary -General, Secretariat of the Organization of African, 
Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) noted the positive work by the WTO to consider the needs of 
develop ing countries in the cotton sector . Mr Oliveria then announced the launch of a new program 
on cotton value chains in support with the G7 whilst affirming the desire of the ACP to work with 
other partners who could improve the market access opportunities of  their producers .     
203.  The second part of the session heard  interventions by potential partners who detailed their 
existing capacity -building efforts in the cotton sector .  
204.  The European Commission Directorate -General for International Cooperation and 
Develo pment (DG -DEVCO) opened by detailing the existing cotton -related development 
programmes the EU has as a part of its ongoing EU Africa cotton partnership . Areas of priority for 
the existing projects include economic development with a focus on local and reg ional value addition, 
environmental sustainability and resource management and the development of inclusive value 
chains . At present, the EU response is threefold . Firstly, a new grant of EUR 10 million to a project 
to construct a new plant in Cameroon, pr ojects to support the transition to organic cotton and various 
projects in the region on the production of cotton by -products .  
205.  USAID West Africa followed detailed  existing projects in the region including the "Feed the 
Future " initiative which has been ex panded to cover eight additional African countries . Brazilian WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  Cooperation Agency Director Ambassador Ruy  Pereira highlighted Brazil's bilateral and trilateral co -
operation programmes cover 17 countries in Africa presently .     
206.  Babajide Sodipo of African Export -Import Bank (Afreximbank) selected "Route du Coton", the 
project on cotton by products, the project  proposed by Benin and the project on lab classification in 
Cameroon as being its projects of interest . Mr Sodipo pledged and additional USD 300,000 on behalf 
of Afreximbank for 2023/24 to support cotton value chain development in partnership with any 
interested partners .     
207.  Whilst the International Financial Corporation does not invest directly in public sector projects, 
it stated its commitment to complementary private sector initiatives in the region . The Enhanced 
Integrated Framework stated their willi ngness to assist in roundtable conversations with donors . The 
United Nations Industrial Development Organization re -emphasi zed the need to raise the standard 
of cotton production and value chains and proposed doing this as a part of the 3rd Industrial 
Development Decade for Africa . Better Cotton outlined its 2030 strategy which focused on five key 
areas: climate, women, soil health, the reduction of hazardous pesticides and livelihoods .      
208.  This session closed with a call to action from the C -4 and the age ncies participating in the 
session . Progress will be reviewed at the World Cotton Day celebrations being hosted by FAO, at 
Heads of State level, on 7 October in Rome .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 23: WTO GENDER RESEARCH HUB THINK UP!#2: USING DATA TO MAKE TRADE 
WORK FOR WOMEN  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  Gender Research Hub  
MODERATOR: Judit Fabian, Visiting Scholar, University of Ottawa  
PANELLISTS  
Speakers  
• Trudi H artzenberg, Executive Director, Trade Law Centre     
• Nelson Manuel Paredes, Head of the Commercial Information Department, Directorate 
of Studies, Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations, Chile     
• Anu Peltola, Acting Head of Statistics and In formation, UNCTAD     
• Heidi Stensland, Senior Private Sector Specialist, World Bank     
• Tengiz Tsekvava, former Deputy Executive Director of Geostat , Georgia     
• Stephen de Boer, Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the World Trade 
Organization in Gene va, Canada    
• Anoush der Boghossian, Head of Trade and Gender Unit, WTO  
 
Short Summary  
209.  This session looked at data collection and analysis for informing gender -responsive trade 
policymaking . Data collection for women in trade is challenging for most countries . To fill this gap, 
collaboration between different government agencies and statistical experts is essential, agreed 
speakers at the session . Addressing this statistical need would help governments better target their 
trade policies to support gen der equality . Trade and gender experts from UNCTAD, the World Bank 
and the Trade Law Centre discussed how to improve data collection and analysis for designing and 
implementing gender -responsive trade policies . Policymakers shared their experience on using 
sex-disaggregated data in policy reforms .  
Long Summary  
210.   In recent years, Canada has begun to build its expertise in data collection and analysis on 
women in trade, noted Ambassador de Boer of Canada in a keynote speech . Canada's approa ch 
relies on the interdepartmental collaboration between Statistics Canada, who gathers data on the 
country's economy, society and environment, and Global Affairs Canada, who has responsibility for 
trade policy and supporting Canadian exporters . Ambassador  de Boer emphasized the need for a 
solid foundation of evidence to support the development of policy and to track its implementation 
and impact . "Our work here at the WTO will help us build a solid base of data, best practices and 
experiences that are need ed to support our efforts to enhance opportunities for women in 
international trade", stated Ambassador de Boer .      
211.  Anu Peltola, Acting Head of Statistics and Information at UNCTAD, presented a research 
project linking existing data to get new insights o n gender equality in trade . National statistical 
authorities need some guidance on how to work together with customs, central banks, and different 
ministries who might be involved . International databases can also provide useful data . The 
data-linking appr oach used by UNCTAD hinges on partnerships between international agencies to 
pull expertise and identify resources for this work, but also partnerships between national authorities 
to bring their data and expertise together . The UN statistics Division is u pdating the global UN trade 
statistics manuals and UNCTAD was invited to lead, jointly with the United States, global efforts to 
include new recommendations into these manuals on how to compile gender equality in trade 
statistics . This could have a major i mpact in the future .      
212.  Tengiz Tsekvava, former Deputy Executive Director of Geostat, presented Georgia's pilot on 
using gender in trade methodology . Data between 2016 and 2 020 have been analysed using 
micro -linking of trade data with business statistics  at the enterprise level . This approach revealed 
that high skill ed women workers were the most resilient to gender inequality, showing the highest 
employment ratio, and the lowest gender pay gap, compared to managers and medium and low skill 
workers . The p roduction of gender -in-trade indicators allows to analyse the gender situation from 
different angles and provides additional dimensions in the gender analysis .     WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  213.  Heidi Stensland, Senior Private Sector Specialist at the World Bank , outlined a study on tra de 
facilitation looking at two major data gaps: the number of cross -border trading companies or firms 
led by women on one hand, and the gender -specific challenges to cross -border trade on the other 
hand. The results show that fewer women are aware that cus toms allow for pre -declaration of 
shipments prior to arrival – however, pre -declarations of goods often allow goods to be released 
faster and therefore saves the trader's time and money .   
214.  The research also revealed that fewer women are represented in trad e associations who are 
used by government regulators to seek feedback on proposed changes to border processes and 
procedures . In addition, it was found that over 90% of men across the board in the surveyed 
countries, and more women, are unaware of the exis tence of national Trade Facilitation committees 
in their country, despite the fact that they play a vital role in planning and implementing trade 
reforms .      
215.  The Trade Law Centre conducted a gendered analysis of the automotive, textile and 
agribusiness value chains in the AfCFTA, as described by its Executive Director Trudi Hartzenberg . 
The core work consists in bringing different streams of data together for u nderstanding how these 
value chains operate across the continent and getting insights into cross -border trade . At the 
transaction level, commercial data does link to ownership and management indicators, making it 
possible to track gender via these indicato rs and link them to the trade flows . Trudi Hartzenberg 
also emphasized the value of survey data to get qualitative information that triggers important 
research questions and takes the research agenda forward .      
216.   Nelson Manuel Paredes, Head of the Commer cial Information Department at the 
Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations of Chile, led a research project on the 
participation of women in Chile's exports . Despite numerous statistics on foreign trade, few public 
organisms had incorporated g ender into their systems, and sharing data between the different 
government agencies proved challenging . The research project required to establish a strategic 
partnership with the internal tax service - which provided information at the level of each ente rprise, 
about the quantity of exports and export markets - and with the export promotion agency Pro Chile, 
to find out about the gender ownership of businesses . Thanks to this collaboration, a radiography of 
the participation of women -led companies in Chil ean exports was launched in 2017, followed in 2019 
with a survey on gender gaps and barriers to understand the dynamics at stakes and better support 
the participation of women in foreign trade .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 24: PROMOTING RECOVERY THROUGH DIGITIZATION AND TRADE: ROLE FOR 
PUBLIC -PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Kati Suominen, Founder and CEO, Nextrade Group  
PANELLISTS  
• Anabel González, Deputy Director -General, World Trade Organization     
• Tina Jabeen, President, Bangladesh Startup Consortium      
• Lenard Koschwitz, Trade Policy Manager, Google     
• Hilda Kragha, Managing Director, Ringer One Africa Media, CEO, A frican Talent Company  
• Sami Lahoud, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships and Infrastructure, Mastercard  
 
Short Summary  
217.   The session looked at how public -private partnerships can be leveraged and operationali zed 
to promote digital trade . The discussio n focused on the many lessons learned from emerging markets 
and developing countries as they digiti zed trade in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic and raised 
attention to the fact that the trade and policy community is growing increasingly attuned to the  
opportunities that e -commerce offers to these countries . It looked at the various ways that 
e-commerce development has been and can be supported for instance through customs, free trade 
zones, creating enabling environments and increasing work on decarbon izing trade .  
Long Summary  
218.   WTO Deputy Director -General  Anabel Gonz ález asserted that digiti zation in trade is a timely 
and important discussion particularly in promoting post -pandemic recovery in developing countries . 
She emphasi zed that least developed c ountries already have a lower market share in global trade 
and global value chains evidenced by the stagnation and weak performance of services exports and 
exacerbated by political tensions, natural disasters, technological change and the reconfiguration 
and introduction of new players in the global market . She stated that the global market in services 
is changing . A new global services economy driven by trade will create opportunities for small 
businesses and promote a trade -led development model . Some dev eloping countries have benefited 
from the acceleration of the services economy such as Ghana, India, and Costa Rica where more 
than 20% of services exported can be offshored and traded .     
219.  DDG Gonz ález also emphasi zed that it would be important for new innovative ideas and 
approaches to services trade does not bypass least developed countries . She also spoke on new 
developments regarding digiti zation and trade such as the recent outcomes of the MC12 . WTO 
Members reached an important outcome for digital trade where they decided not to impose customs 
on electronic transmissions and electronic communications . She stated that this will offer LDCs the 
chance to work with other WTO Members and shift the focus away from theoretical discussions and 
towar d more concrete outcomes to promote LDCs . She concluded by stating that Aid for Trade must 
work as a catalyst for services and the digital economy; to encourage more export diversification, 
more and better jobs and supporting small businesses and women in trade .      
220.  Hilda Kragha, Managing Director at Ringer One Africa Media, spoke on the main challenges to 
LDCs on adopting technologies and creating value as well as the vulnerability shocks that emerging 
markets face, particularly in Africa . Ms Kragha  stated that digiti zation is rapidly on the rise in Africa . 
However, this is primarily in the business to consumer (B2C) side, leaving the business to business 
(B2B) aspect outdated . Poor talent management and the fact that large businesses remain offline 
has ca used a disconnect between the business and consumer side .     
221.   She stated that the COVID -19 pandemic led to changes in the way companies think as they 
had to adjust and make investments in technology as supply chains were disrupted . Hilda also 
discussed th e fact that while digiti zation is on the rise in Africa there are critical sectors it has not 
penetrated such as agriculture . She noted that e -trade would potentially bring many benefits to the 
agricultural sector, particularly in addressing the mismatch b etween pricing and supply and 
improving delivery and logistics . Another sector she highlighted that would benefit from increased 
digitization is the education sector . As physical classes were disrupted during the pandemic, WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  improved technology meant that th is would not interrupt students' education . Healthcare is another 
sector that has been shown would greatly benefit from increased digiti zation as the concept of 
"digital doctors" and e -health can address shortages in medical staff . Hilda concluded by stati ng that 
for digiti zation to take hold and advance trade in Africa there needs to be greater emphasis on the 
B2B aspect and increasing focus on the three sectors: agriculture, education, and healthcare, which 
are also highly conducive to public -private part nerships as well .  
222.  Tina Jabeen, President of the Bangladesh Startup Consortium spoke on the growth of 
digitization and e -commerce in Bangladesh ,. She stated t hat Bangladesh has a high tele -density 
with close to 181 million mobile subscribers and many inter net and mobile phone users, however 
not a lot of these are running businesses digitally as well . Ms Jabeen  noted that there was a gender 
perspective to this issue as women still face restrictions on their access and freedom to use these 
digital services . She mentioned that it will be important to encourage more women enterprises to 
use these services and bring them into the fold of e -commerce .      
223.  Another issue she highlighted is that digital literacy has been an ongoing issue in Bangladesh , 
particularly with women and young populations . However, during the pandemic, e -commerce in 
Bangladesh grew almost 70% and almost half of all e -commerce vendors were women . Tina also 
mentioned that financial inclusion and fintech are increasingly taking ro ot in Bangladesh, even with 
garment workers who will often send their money back digitally to their villages for tuition and 
healthcare .  Cashless services are on the rise with the Bangladeshi Government and the private 
sector making investments to create an internal digital transaction platform which is intended to 
revolutioni ze the digital transaction economy .      
224.  Sami Lahoud, senior Vice President for global partnerships and infrastructure at Mastercard, 
discussed the importance of inclusion in fintech and digital transactions and stated that there have 
been bold commitments in this space from big players . He spoke on the Mastercard partnership, the 
Universal Access Initiative with the World Bank and other partners which intends to provide access 
to digi tal finance to vendors in the informal economy, women and MSMEs . This initiative does not 
just focus on usage but also financial security and financial health . He pointed to a recent Findex 
report that found nearly 1 .4 billion people are excluded from the digital economy and there is still 
much to be done to include them . He stated that "cash is a problem for the poor because it keeps 
them invisible" . In effect, using cash primarily will keep the poorest locked out of credit histories, 
access to global mark ets and stuck in digital illiteracy . He concluded by saying that digital payment 
tools are the future and that governments and development finance institutions have a huge role to 
play in scaling these solutions and transitioning to a cashless society .       
225.  Finally, Leonard Koschwitz from Google discussed the various services offered by Google to 
promote digiti zation and trade . To address the B2B disconnect, Google provides services such as 
maps, search, translation, and others . Google also seeks to suppor t developers in LDCs as well as 
leveraging technology to reach remote users, using artificial intelligence to improve emerging 
healthcare technologies and create more transparent and comparable markets through their online 
tools.  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 25: EVENING COTTON -THEMED SOCIAL EVENT  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
Short Summary  
• Call for Action Signature Ceremony and photo shoot with high -level representatives .  
▪ Live music by  Fanfare Olaïtan  offered by Better Cotton and cocktail offered by 
Afreximbank and UNIDO .  
Reporter:  WTO 
 
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SESSION 26: THE PACIFIC CASE: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PACIFIC AID -FOR-TRADE 
STRATEGY  
ORGANIZER(S): Australia and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat  
MODERATORS:  
• Noah Kouback , Trade Team Leader, Directorate of Programmes and Initiatives, Pacific 
Islands Forum Secretariat  
• Ravi Kewalram, Head of Pacific Economic Resilience and Trade Branch, Australian 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade  
PANELLISTS  
• Viraaj Lad, Owner, Bhikha Bhai & Company Pte Limited  
• Djamil Abdelaziz, Chair, Pacific Regional Standards Committee, and Deputy Director of 
Procurement, Heritage and Resources at the Government of New Caledonia  
• Betty Chung, Acting Mission Director for the Pacific, United States Agen cy for International 
Development  
• Shamika Sirimanne, Director, Division on Technology and Logistics, United Nations 
Conference on Trade and Development        
 
Short Summary  
226.  The Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy 2020 -2025 (PAfTS) was approved in February 2020 . The 
session focused on recent development in the implementation of regional initiatives in the four 
priority areas identified in the PAfTS for the development of regional Aid-for-Trade 
projects:  (i) services ; (ii) connectivity ; (iii) e-comme rce; and ( iv) deepening market integration 
through trade facilitation, quality infrastructure and trade agreements . The Pacific Islands Forum 
Secretariat (PIFS), and representatives of the Pacific Regional Standards Committee, donor partners, 
international  organizations and the private sector shared experiences and presented their support 
in implementing the regional PAfTS .  
Long Summary  
227.  Noah Kouback, trade team leader in the Directorate of Programmes and Initiatives of the 
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat  opened the session by providing an overview of the Pacific Aid for 
Trade strategy 2020 -2025. Consultations started at the 2017 A id for Trade Global Review . The 
strategy was presented at the 2019 A id for Trade Global Review and approved in February 2020 .      
228.  The strategy focuses on mobili zing A id-for-Trade projects in four key intervention 
areas:  (i) the services sector ; (ii) comprehensive connectivity ; (iii) e-commerce ; and (iv) deepening 
of markets through t rade facilitation, quality infrastructure and  trade policies and agreements . The 
target is to implement regional initiatives in all four priority areas by the end of 2025 . National and 
regional diagnostic studies have already been conducted for quality inf rastructure, e -commerce and 
trade facilitation . Regional strategies have been developed and are being implemented for quality 
infrastructure and e -commerce .     
229.  An e-commerce initiative has been approved in August 2021 and is based on analyses using 
UNCTAD 's methodology for eTrade readiness assessments . Multiple partners are supporting different 
dimensions of the e -commerce initiative, ranging from trade logistics, over payment systems, legal 
and regulatory frameworks, skills development, to ICT infrastruct ure financing .     
230.  Viraaj Lad shared the experience of Bhikha Bhai & Company Pte Limited in using e -commerce . 
The company is a local, family -owned producer of sweets (mithai) and snacks (bhuja) in Fiji . It 
started to provide a brochure of products online i n 2015, added prices and a manual credit card 
payment method in 2016 and finally launched an e -commerce website shortly before Fiji's second 
lockdown in early 2021, with a live chat feature having proved particularly useful . Compared to the 
years 2019 and 2020, website sales increased 10 -fold. As major challenges he mentioned that 
shipping charges accounted for up to 55% of the goods sold online and the difficulty to gain access 
to digital platforms . On the latter, he highlighted VitiKart – an online retail  service based in Fiji that 
is owned by Vodafone Fiji – as a fruitful initiative .     WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  231.  Djamil Abdelaziz, Chair of the Pacific Regional Standards Committee, focused on the 
development of quality infrastructure . The Committee emerged from the Pacific Quality 
Infrastructure initiative, with the inaugural meeting having taken place in April 2022 . It engages in 
the assessment of national QI systems and conducts regional value chain analysis for goods with 
export potential for Pacific countries, aiming to overcome  quality challenges along the value chain 
and getting the private sector involved . Highlighting the difficulty of coordination among countries 
with small domestic markets, not having common borders and being at different levels of industrial 
development, h e stressed the role of the regional committee to help Pacific countries grow together, 
coordinate, harmonize and share knowledge on regional standardization .      
232.  Ravi Kewalram, Head of Pacific Economic Resilience and Trade Branch of the Australian 
Departm ent of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), moderated the second part of the session and 
highlighted in his introductory remarks Australia's support for regional initiatives and programmes 
in the region that aim at improving the business environment, market a ccess opportunities through 
work on standards, and labour mobility; as well as for the PACER Plus Agreement (Pacific agreement 
on closer economic relations plus) among some countries in the region .      
233.  Betty Chung, Acting Mission Director for the Pacific of the United States Agency for 
International Development (USAID) expressed the United States' support for the new PAfTS . She 
provided several examples on how USAID is working with PIFS in line with the Indo -Pacific Economic 
Framework for Prosperity to imp rove digital infrastructure and facilitate its use, with a focus on local 
businesses to drive private sector -led economic growth . These included the Pacific Islands Digital 
Trade Dialogue in March 2022, that brought together 12 leading enterprises in digit al trade – such 
as Google Plus Codes, DHL, PHG, Paypal, Mastercard, UPS, and Visa – to exchange best practices in 
e-commerce capacity -building, cross -border payments and logistics; or the partnering with Australia 
and Japan to finance an undersea fibre -optic cable in Palau to increase access to affordable high -
speed internet .     
234.  Shamika Sirimanne, Director, Division on Technology and Logistics of the United Nations 
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), provided examples in the areas of trade 
facilitation, non -tariff measures, e -commerce and the digital economy where UNCTAD is already 
supporting the PAfTS priorities . Among these is the implementation of digital platforms for customs 
administrations (ASYCUDA), with the result of increasing public revenues, increasing transparency, 
cutting trade costs and time . Through a recently concluded agreement with the EU, ASYCUDA will 
be supporting almost the entire Pacific region . Stressing that the harmonization of regulations could 
reduce trade cost s by 25%, she highlighted UNCTAD's work in the systematic mapping of non -tariff 
measures, which helps SMEs to access information more easily and policy makers to better engage 
in regulatory cooperation . On emerging Aid -for-Trade priorities she urged countr ies to consider 
affordable and high -quality internet connectivity as a critical infrastructure and to foster regional 
efforts to collect and analyse data on the digital economy to allow for informed policy  making .      
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 27: SUPPORTING INCLUSIVE E -COMMERCE CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN 
SOUTH -EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: IMPACT STORIES FROM THE GROUND  
ORGANIZER(S): Australia  
Opening Remarks   
• George Mina, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Australia to the WTO    
Speakers   
• Angoango Fakaua, Trade Policy Officer, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and 
Cooperatives, Kiribati   
• Nguyen Thu Hang, Senior Program Officer, TAF Vietnam   
• Pulaa lofa Saulo Haulagi, CEO, Tuvalu Post Ltd, Tuvalu   
• Lorraine M . Kauhenga, Deputy CEO, Trade Negotiation & Policy Division, MTED, Tonga  
• Sabrina Varma, Aid for Trade Adviser, DFAT, Australia  
 
Short Summary  
235.   The session looked at the impact of the Australian  Government 's E-commerce Aid for Trade 
Fund on developing countries and least developed countries with regards to increasing their 
e-commerce capabilities . The session featured impacts and lessons learned from projects in 
Viet Nam, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Ton ga as they try to maximi ze the benefits of digital trade .  
Long Summary  
236.   The session looked at the impact of the Australian Government 's E-commerce Aid for Trade 
Fund on developing countries and least developed countries with regards to increasing their 
e-commerce capabilities . The session featured impacts and lessons learned from projects in 
Viet Nam, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Tonga as they try to maximi ze the benefits of digital trade .      
237.  Sabrina Varma, Aid for Trade Adviser, DFAT, Australia provided an overview of the Australian 
Government e -commerce Aid for Trade Fund, which is an AUD 5 .6 million program, established to 
help developing countries and LDCs in the Indo Pacific region address  identified barriers to engaging 
in e-commerce and help them build greater e -commerce capabilities in order to leverage digital 
trade opportunities . Sabrina noted that the fund provided 11 grants of up to around AUD 500,000 
each. The fund was open to the p rivate sector, governments and organizations in the Pacific . The 
first round of projects were focused on Southeast Asia and the second round on the Pacific . The 
project themes covered issues such as policy reform, capacity development assistance in 
cyberse curity technology solutions, such as blockchain, online dispute resolution platform, 
strengthening e -commerce negotiation skills and application of good practice guides to accelerate 
e-commerce adoption .      
238.  Nguyen Hang, Senior Program Officer, TAF in Vie t Nam presented how the Australian 
Government E -commerce Aid for  Trade Fund contributed to connect local coffee, pepper, mango, 
and natural fibre companies to the global market and improve production management to generate 
better revenue through digital ap plication . One of the project's activities was to track these products 
using the blockchain -based verifiable digital identity platform . By the end of the project, 3 
stakeholders engagement workshops were held, business process mapping with 28 supply chains  
were conducted, 19 companies were supported in using augmented reality, and 497 local products 
were digitalized .     
239.  In her presentation, Angoango Fakaua, Trade Policy Officer, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, 
Industry and Cooperatives, Kiribati spoke about  how the fund helped leverage support and 
collaboration with different ministries, the private sector and internet service providers to fulfil the 
overarching 20 -year vision development policy which recognize s the importance of e-commerce .  
Thanks to the f und, 1782 participants in 5 different locations were impacted and 36% of them came 
from marginalized group s. Fakaua also highlighted the COVID -19 pandemic, lack of e-commerce 
awareness, and the absence of e -payment bank s represented key challenges in imple menting certain 
projects .     WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  240.  Pulaalofa Saulo Haulagi, CEO, Tuvalu Post Ltd, Tuvalu focused her presentation on the 
challenges of dealing with digital payments . She identified the non -availability of online banking and 
electronic payments system s as the ma in issues faced while dealing with e -commerce . The growing 
cost of technology, internet connectivity issue s and the absence of legal frameworks, were also 
identified as challenges . Pulaalofa Saulo Haulagi said they had to rely on Australian companies to 
address some of these challenges .     
241.  In her remarks, Lorraine M . Kauhenga, Deputy CEO, Trade Negotiation & Policy Division, 
MTED, (Tonga) spoke about the state of e-commerce laws in Tonga . She said while bills covering 
the four main areas of e-commerce are waiting for approval, the legislative framework needs to be 
updated as Tonga does not have a specific legislation governing electronic transactions and data 
protection and privacy . She said five legislative areas are to be reviewed which incl udes consumer 
protection, data protection and privacy, cybercrime and cyber security, and electronic payments .   
242.  Ms Kauhenga also highlighted how ensuring the invitation went out wide regarding the 
participation in these projects resulted in higher partici pation rates of women and promoted inclusion 
and diversity among the participants of projects funded by the Australian Government E -commerce 
Aid for Trade Fund.  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 28: PLENARY: SUSTAINABLE AID FOR TRADE  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Vanessa Erogbogbo, Chief of Green and Inclusive Value Chains, International Trade 
Centre  
Opening remarks  
• Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy Director -General, World Trade Organization     
 
Moderator   
• Vanessa Erogbogbo, Chief of Green and Inclusive Value Chains, International Trade 
Centre    
Panellists  
• Sarah Ahn, Director -General, International Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs, Republic of Korea   
• Song Dongsheng, Independent Advisor, Former Chairman, SinoHydro   
• Patrick Schröder, Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Programme, 
Chatham House   
• Luis Vayas, Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and C ooperation, Ecuador   
• Patrick Verkooijen, CEO, Global Center on Adaptation   
• Kate White, Director, Economic Security, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, 
United Kingdom  
 
Short Summary  
243.   Speakers focused on how the Aid -for-Trade Initiative can help develop critical trade 
infrastructure while supporting resilient, climate -friendly and inclusive trade outcomes . The session 
benefited from the expertise and practical insights of experts and financing partners engaged in 
green transition activities .  
Long Summary  
244.   In his opening remarks , DDG Zhang outlined the importance of trade and the WTO in 
addressing climate change and environmental degradation . This perspective was echoed by WTO 
Members – nearly 85% of Members who responded to 2022 Aid -for-Trade Monitoring and Evaluation 
questionnaire o bserved that trade objectives address environmental concerns . Aid for Trade must 
facilitate this process by ensuring Members, especially developing countries and LDCs, have the 
resources to pursue trade and sustainability objectives . There was momentum in this regard, with 
51% of Aid -for-Trade commitments made in 2020 including climate -related objectives . The DDG 
however noted that this rate of change not enough . We must use the full potential of the multilateral 
trading system to accelerate change to adapt  to and mitigate climate change .     
245.  The Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) project was showcased by Felix Rottmann, ESG 
Manager and Winds of Change Director, LTWP . The project was the largest wind farm in Africa, 
comprising 365 wind turbines, each with a capa city of 850KW . In total, LTWP supplies up to 17% of 
the country 's installed capacity . The total development cost of the project was EUR 630 million, the 
largest private investment in Kenya . The benefits of the project venture beyond the energy domain . 
Positive spill overs to domestic economy include transport infrastructure development and 
employment generation in the local community . Challenges faced in implementing the project were 
mostly logistical in nature, mostly related to a lack of initial transport  infrastructure . A deficit in 
community trust was also indicated as an initial issue, as many were not aware of the project 
benefits .     
246.  In his remarks, Song  Dongsheng  highlighted the critical role that hydroelectricity plays in a 
net zero transition . Hydroelectricity accounted for 17% of global installed capacity and satisfied more 
than 50% of energy needs in 35 countries . Furthermore, the dams constructed as part of the 
hydropower infrastructure can help in enabling flood control, facilitate irrigation a nd regulate water 
supply . Mr Song also provided a few remarks on China's energy transition . China's wind and solar WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  capacity increased from 52 Gigawatts in 2011 to 632 Gigawatts in 2021, representing a twelve -fold 
increase in capacity over one decade . However, coal still accounted for 47% of China's total installed 
capacity . China has committed to reduce this dependency as part of its strategy to fulfil its net zero 
transition .      
247.  Sarah Ahn observed that promoting green transition was an integral obje ctive of Korea's 
Aid-for-Trade objectives . Korean support was driven through contributions to institutions such as 
the Green Climate Fund, Green Growth Institute and the UNFCCC . In 2021, Korea was able to devote 
nearly 30% of Aid-for-Trade support to suppo rt a green transition . The Korean private sector was 
an indispensable support to its international development cooperation . Private sector partnership, 
especially through PPPs, was well established in Korea's Aid-for-Trade initiatives . Since 2015, many 
of its programmes look to strengthen private sector capacity to address development problems . 
Korea was also committed to aligning climate goals with gender empowerment . Its long -standing 
contribution to the ITC's SheTrades initiative was highlighted as an ex ample .     
248.  Kate White noted that the United Kingdom recognized trade and Aid for Trade as integral 
facets of development . They were also essential for commitments and pledges made at COP26 . As 
part of this pledge, the UK has doubled its available climate f inance funds to GBP  11.5 billion . It has 
also developed a "British Investment Partnership" framework to mobilize funds worth USD 8 billion 
from private and public stakeholders . Climate was also a key priority in the UK's International 
Development Strategy that was announced in May 2022 . The UK was also a member of the Just 
Energy Partnership, a coalition of donors assisting decarbonization in South Africa . More targeted 
UK initiatives include its Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions programme and initiatives 
conducted in collaboration with the EIF to enhance the capacity of sustainable trade .     
249.  Luis Vayas pointed to some of Ecuador's initiatives to tackle sustainability issues . One example 
was Ecuador's efforts to expand the Galapagos marine rese rve, in partnership with neighbouring 
States . Ecuador was also working towards circular economy objectives, particularly in the context of 
industrialization and waste . Legislations, such the Organic law on inclusive circular economy, have 
been established to promote reuse and recycling . The Ambassador also highlighted the importance 
of addressing the plastic issue . While nearly 5% of world trade involve plastics, only 10% of those 
products are recycled . If plastic pollution remains unaddressed, we will have more plastic products  
in the oceans than fish by 2050 . Ecuador is therefore working closely with the WTO's Informal 
Dialogue on Plastic . The IDP seeks to reduce plastics pollution to promote sustainability . Strategies 
pursed include the harmonization of WTO rules with those in other institutions such as the WCO and 
the Basel Convention .      
250.   Patrick Schröder elaborated upon the synergies between trade and the circular economy . He 
observed that the circular economy prioritized the elimination of waste pollution and the promotion 
of sustainable consumption . Trade plays a critical role in enabling this . The value of trade in circular 
activities in fact rose by more than 230% between 2000 and 2019 . Harmonizing trade and circular 
economy approaches will pre sent many global benefits, especially in the service sector of developing 
countries or LDCs . Here, MSMEs can integrate into maintenance, repair and re -use activities to 
benefit from international opportunities . Aid for Trade can contribute to a circular ec onomy transition 
by for instance facilitating energy access and capacity building for circular skills .      
251.  Patrick Verkooijen urged for a rapid scale -up of climate adaptation efforts . The GCA was 
particularly focused on enabling climate adaptation in Afri ca. An example of an initiative to address 
this was the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, a joint effort between the AfDB and the GCA . 
The program aims to mobilize USD 25 billion over five years to accelerate and scale climate 
adaptation action acros s the continent . It was endorsed at the Leaders' Dialogue on the Africa 
Covid -Climate Emergency in April 2021 . Five recommendations to harmonize climate adaptation and 
trade -related areas were also highlighted in the GCA's recent State and Trends in Adapta tion Report . 
Moving forward, the GCA will host the Global Youth Adaptation Summit in September to scale interest 
in climate adaptation .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 29: ENABLING LDCS TO IMPLEMENT THE FUTURE INVESTMENT FACILITATION 
FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT  
ORGANIZER(S): Lao PDR and International Trade Centre  
MODERATOR: Rajesh Aggarwal, Director (oic), Division of Market Development, ITC  
PANELLISTS   
 
• Zoryana Ol ekseyuk, Senior Researcher, German Institute of Development and Sustainability  
• Matthew Stephenson, Head of Investment Policy and Practice, World Economic Forum  
• Vilayphone Xindavong, Deputy Director -General, Department of Foreign Trade Policy, 
Ministry of I ndustry and Commerce of Lao PRD  
Short Summary  
252.   This session highlighted the importance of the future agreement on investment facilitation, 
which developing and least developed countries are considering as a basis for their negotiations . The 
aim is to attract more investment into the world for economic growth and sustainable development, 
particularly for micro and small enterprises, given food insecurity, climate change and the issue of 
sustainability and connectivity . Facilitating investment will creat e many opportunities, 
including:  improved trade flows, mobili zation of financial resources, job creation, movement of 
goods and services and poverty alleviation, which is a central objective of the future agreement  
Long Summary  
253.   The parties involved commented extensively on the fact that the implementation of the 
agreement presents many obstacles . It should be noted that many developing countries and LDCs 
are co -authors of the agreement .   
254.  The joint initiative was launched in 2017 by a group of LDC and developing country Members 
and aims to develop a multilateral agreement on investment facilitation for development to improve 
the business climate, making it easier for investors in all sectors of the economy to conduct their 
day-to-day operatio ns and expand their businesses . Numerous benefits were cited during the 
meeting regarding its implementation, such as attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), creating 
economic zones, improving trade flows, facilitating investment for income generation,  creating full 
employment, mobili zing financial and human resources, circulating goods and services, circulating 
capital, increasing per capita income, developing infrastructure, improving the productive apparatus, 
improving the population's standard of li ving and improving health infrastructure . The reali zation of 
this agreement can bring many benefits that most LDCs and developing countries are struggling to 
access and are lagging behind . Implementation of such an agreement would present many obstacles, 
but hope will continue to prevail for a sustainable economic success .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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  SESSION 30: ADVANCING DIGITAL SERVICES TRADE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC  
ORGANIZER(S): Asian Development Bank  
MODERATOR: Rolando Avendano, ERCI, As ian Development Bank 
Emcee    
• Pramila Crivelli, Economist, Asian Development Bank     
 
Speakers  
• Taeho Bark, President, Lee & Ko Global Commerce Institute and former Minister of Trade , 
Republic of Korea   
• Henry Gao, Professor of Law, Singapore Management University   
• Jane Drake Brockman, Professor, University of Adelaide   
• Irene Olivan Garcia, Trade Policy Analyst, OECD  
• Jose Ramon Albert, Senior Research Fellow, Philippine Institute o f Development Studies  
 
Short Summary  
255.   The session was on "Advancing Digital Services Trade in Asia and the Pacific" which was 
informed by the Asian Economic Integration Report 2022 . The discussion focused on how 
digitalization and the pandemic are driving digital services trade and ways on how regional 
cooperation and structural reforms can help Asian economies unlock this potential . Overall, rapid 
digitalization during the pandemic continues to expand businesses opportunities for digital services 
trade: financial, information and telecommunications, legal, health, education, and other business 
services . Nonetheless, enhancing both soft and hard infrastructure reduces inequality in digital trade 
in Asia and the Pacific .  
Long Summary  
256.   The session on "Advancing Digital Services Trade in Asia and the Pacific" was informed by the 
Asian Economic Integration Report 2022 . The discussion focused on how digitalization and the 
pandemic are driving digital services trade and ways on how regional cooperation and  structural 
reforms can help Asian economies unlock this potential .     
257.  Taeho Bark, the President of Lee & Ko Global Commerce Institute and former Minister of Trade, 
Republic of Korea,  started the discussion by describing the role of digital services trade  in developing 
countries and how this can be advanced by the Aid -for-Trade Initiative . Although Asian countries 
such as India and the Philippines have risen as leading exporters of information technology and other 
business services respectively, there is s till a need to identify other potential sectors among Asian 
and Pacific economies . The Aid -for-Trade Initiative can contribute to the shift from Mode 1 to Mode  3 
supply of services through: establishing proper internet networks and the reduction of restric tions; 
liberalizing trade barriers at bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral levels; and consideration of the 
free flow of data with supplementary measures such as protecting personal information .     
258.  Henry Gao, a Professor of Law at the Singapore Manage ment University, presented on digital 
trade regulation and cooperation . It was noted that the percentage of Free Trade Agreements with 
at least one provision in each service category has increased . However, the mapping of trade 
provisions in Asia and the Pacific requires the understanding of challenges such as e-commerce 
infrastructure; regulatory barriers coming from the United States of America; consumer trust from 
the European Union; and regulatory autonomy from China .    
259.   A panel discussion, whose main theme was the relevance of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative on 
digital services, followed Prof essor  Gao's presentation . The first panellist, Jane Drake Brockman, a 
Professor at the University of Adelaide, discussed the relevance of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative on 
digital trade in the context of MC -12. Accordingly, MC -12 was critical in boosting digital trade in 
three ways: incorporation of three more Members in the digital trade network; the development of 
e-commerce; and discussions on digital connect ivity. In general, the Aid -for-Trade Initiative can 
boost digital services launching of capacity building frameworks to help more developing countries 
engage in the digital trade; designing regulatory policies fit for digital trade; and by large build both  
physical and soft infrastructure for digital trade .     WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  260.  The second panellist, Jose Ramon Albert, a Senior Research Fellow at Philippine Institute of 
Development Studies described the strengths and weaknesses of the digital trade in the Philippines . 
This i s because the growth of digital services in Southeast Asia is largely attributed to their rapid 
expansion in the Philippines . The key drivers of this performance are low tariffs on digital goods and 
strong data policies . The key weaknesses are the poor per formance on FDIs, specifically due to 
prohibitions on foreign equity, restrictive public procurement policies that favour domestic bidders, 
and barriers to entry which prevent healthy competition and growth of the telecommunication sector .    
The last pane llist, Irene Olivan Garcia, a Trade Policy Analyst at OECD, described the Services Trade 
Restrictiveness Index and its role in monitoring the evolution of trade restrictions in digital trade . 
Results of the index, with a focus on Asia and the Pacific revea l that: the regulatory framework on 
digital trade is diverse as some countries are more open than others; there is an increase in 
complexity in the digital trade; there is an increase in digital agreements indicating that digital 
services are a priority am ong countries; most provisions do not include hard provisions; and most 
provisions are from the domestic economies .     
261.  The final consensus is that the Aid -for-Trade Initiative can boost digital services by improving 
areas of capacity gaps: infrastructure, regulatory competitiveness, structural reform . Cyber security 
and E -governance are some of the sectors that should be included in future discussions on Aid for 
Trade and digital trade .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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  SESSION 31: ADVANCING THE GREEN HYDROGEN ECONOMY  
ORGANIZER(S): Germany and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization  
MODERATOR: Petra Schwager, Chief, Climate and Technology Partnerships Division, UNIDO      
PANELLISTS  
• Jürgen Zattler, Director -General , German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and 
Development (Keynote speaker)    
• Amit Jain, Senior Energy Specialist, The World Bank     
• Guy Lalanne, Senior Economist, Organisation for Economic Co -operation and 
Development     
• Nangula Uaandja, CEO & Cha irperson, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development 
Board    
• Hanane Mourchid, SVP Sustainability Platform, OCP Group  
 
Short Summary  
262.   The overall aim of advancing the green hydrogen economy is achieving decarboni zation and 
also increasing energy supply . This panel discussion convened key global stakeholders from 
governments, international organizations, the private sector, industry and research institutions to 
explore the implications of advancing green hydrogen, underlining the need to act locally for trade 
by extending our outlook towards policy, regulations, cost, and technical issues . Outstanding 
questions that the international comm unity must address, such as "Where do we have the biggest 
efficiencies? " and "How can we encourage investments and have a combo of trade and local use? ".  
Long Summary  
263.  Jürgen Zattler, Director -General  at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation  and 
Development, began the panel discussion by emphasizing the significance of securing energy access 
and guaranteeing climate protection . Germany and the entire European Union are ready to take on 
this challenge and commit themselves to achieve greenhous e gas neutrality by 2025 . Statistically, 
70 to 90% of decarboni zation in countries like Germany can be met by using renewable energy and 
energy efficiency measures directly . However, the panel continued to explore the need for other 
solutions, in particular green hydrogen and its derivatives . In order to meet the demand for green 
hydrogen, we need to rely on imports from other countries .  
264.  Mr Zattler underlined that it is very important to take into account the perspective of other 
partner countries , particularly in how they will benefit from new economic opportunities that arise 
from this transformation – countries should participate in the global transformation and make use 
of their potential for renewable energy .     
265.  Mr Zattler took the discussion  further by outlining the potential we can derive from starting 
market ramp -up for green hydrogen . First, by bolstering our market for green hydrogen we can 
bring complete carbonization of the international economy . Second, specifically for partner countri es, 
green hydrogen value chains bring opportunities for local value chain creations and income 
generation which will ultimately lead to a boost in the development of local economies . Lastly, if the 
ramp-up is well implemented, partner countries can benefit  from socio -economic transformation of 
energy systems .      
266.  Fast market ramp -up needs close cooperation of the private sectors, requiring them to be the 
driving force behind this initiative . Mr Zattler remarked that the German Ministry found a business 
alliance with the energy sector to build the basis of market ramp -up. He further commented that 
Germany highly appreciates UNIDO 's initiative of reacting to the global partnership of the hydrogen 
industry . UNIDO 's participation will play a significant role in  the integration of developing countries, 
given that long -term investment from the private sector is essential in parallel to adjusting 
regulatory framework and incentive for the demand of sustainable programmes . On another side, 
Mr Zattler also called att ention to development perspectives, remarking that fast market ramp -up 
for green hydrogen should not be at the expense of local energy supplies .      WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  267.  Mr Zattler reiterated that prevention and cautionary measures against conflicts related to land 
and water must be upheld and that hydrogen capacity must meet local demand and local 
decarboni zation. On the topic of certification, there needs to be a uniform certification and 
sustainable criteria in production of green hydrogen . This is reflected in the Global R eview of Aid for 
Trade, outlining that product certification  is to be international, recognized and coherent . Mr Zattler 
wrapped up his presentation by remarking that Germany is looking forward to working with UNIDO 
and partners, joining sustainable invest ment opportunities, long term development of partner 
countries, and working towards achieving climate goals .     
268.  Continuing forward to the subject of export trade, Nangula Uaandja, CEO and Chairperson of 
the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Boa rd observes that green hydrogen is seen 
as an export in Namibia . Mr Uaandja pointed out Namibia 's contribution in the global agenda by:    
1) Addressing needs at home, understanding the need in Namibia as we see in Africa;    
2) Green hydrogen will benefit by using various forms and products locally ;   
3) The benefit that will be gained by Namibia in the value chain and how the capacity created 
is used to support economic growth ;  
4) To decarb mining operation, green hydrogen is a focal point in the discussion and its usage 
should be identified, i .e. diversifying logistics and transport ; and    
5) Considering that Namibia 's cost of doing business is high, the question of building excess 
capacity and the role of the private sector in industriali zing Nam ibia should be addressed .    
   
269.  Hanane Mourchid of Morocco 's OCP Group provided valuable insight on reaching carbon 
neutrality by 2040 . Ms Mourchid identified the most challenging topic to achieve this goal is the 
switch to green ammonia consumption (green  hydrogen) . The green hydrogen revolution requires 
support in green technology . The use of hydrogen to decarboni ze mobility extends to mining tracts 
that conventionally use fossil fuels to be replaced with green means . In practice, OCP is working on 
piloting the decarboni zation of mobility .     
270.   Returning back to the subject of international trade, when posed with the question "What 
strategic decisions are countries facing in the context of local use and international trade? ", 
Guy Lalanne of the Organisatio n for Economic Co -operation and Development remarked that 
countries need to invest in R&D in green hydrogen . National strategies tend to focus on the 
deployment stage rather than direct support on innovation . Countries need to invest massively in 
renewable  energy capital to make green hydrogen competitive by producing domestically the 
hydrogen in countries rich with renewable energy .     
271.  Amit Jain of the World Bank took the opportunity to showcase the programmes that are 
underway in partnership with UNIDO . The programmes have two pillars; financing (both on demand 
and supply) and knowledge, policy, regulatory incentive to promote green hydrogen . In regard to 
these programmes, he highlighted that the World Bank is country -focused, whereby the intervention 
required varies from country to country and therefore there is no single solution . Vis-à-vis 
international trade and the pertaining policies, Mr Lalanne of the OECD suggested that regulatory 
actions, strong government initiatives and infrastructure investments are needed as they act as 
prerequisite s for local adoption and international trade of hydrogen .     
272.  In an effort to accomplish a comprehensive discussion, the panellists were also asked about 
the constraints in advancing green hy drogen . Mr Jain of the World Bank remarked that, in relation 
to trade, countries are not able to grasp the whole value chain of green hydrogen, and therefore 
tackle everything separately . Ms Mourchid of OCP, on the other hand, asserted that the cost of 
energy is a big enabler of green hydrogen production .  
Reporter: UNIDO  
 
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SESSION 32: GREENING OF AID FOR TRADE AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPETITIVENESS  
ORGANIZER(S): European Union, International Trade Centre, Rwanda  
MODERATOR: Lawrence Attipoe, National Coordinator alliances for action programmes , 
International Trade Centre  
PANELLISTS  
• Cécile Billaux , Head of Unit for Micro -economic analysis, investment climate, private 
Sector, trade & employment, and international partnerships at European Commission     
• Vanessa Erogbogbo, Chief of green and inclusive value chains section , International 
Trade Centre  
• Nelson Adubofour, Executive secretary of Kuapa Kokoo Coperative Cocoa Farmers Union 
Limited, Ghana  
• Christopher Rugira, Founder of Tropic Coffee, Rwanda  
 
Short Summary  
273.   This session looked at the challenges climate change presents for MSMEs in the agricultural 
sector and how Aid for Trade can be used to align trade policy with the Paris Climate Goals to 
stimulate economic growth and job creation in developing countries . The discussion also considered 
how the EU Green Deal can support a development -friendly green transition in developing countries 
and how climate -friendly modes of production and more resilient linkages to sustainable markets 
can effectively contribute to a  greener Aid for Trade.  
Long Summary  
274.   Vanessa Erogbogbo, Chief of green and inclusive value chains section at the International 
Trade Centre advocated for a shift in focus on the climate change issue from a business cost 
perspective to viewing climate cha nge as opportunity to create new sustainable businesses . Using 
the ITC framework, Vanessa explained that a sustainable MSME is competitive and delivers quality 
timely output, connects with the business eco -system and is capable of change and adaptation . Each 
dimension can be affected by climate change . In the competition dimension there are opportunities 
to adopt climate -smart production practices which reduce costs . For example, in one project 
featuring 50 companies which switched to LED bulbs and environm entally friendly water 
management resulted in savings of USD 2 million  and 80 thousand tonnes of CO2 emissions per 
year. In the connect dimension, digital technologies are providing SMEs with a larger range of buyers 
that mitigate logistics challenges caus ed by climate change . However, Vanessa noted that the ability 
to adapt is not equitable; 60% of large firms have invested in one measure to reduce environmental 
risk, compared to 38% of SMEs, who face challenges such as lack of access to finance and expert ise 
to implement such measures .      
275.  Nelson Adubofour, Executive secretary of the Kuapa Kokoo Coperative Cocoa Farmers Union 
Limited, Ghana spoke about the challenges unique to cocoa production in the region and how farmers 
were responding to them . He expl ained that cultivation of cocoa is seasonal and therefore uniquely 
vulnerable to climate change . Challenges faced by farmers include mortality of cocoa seedlings and 
other food crops, extended drought, and increased pests and diseases . Consequently, farmers must 
rely on pesticides which are hazardous to the environment and has implications for food security, 
environmental due diligence and sustainability . Climate change also affects soil fertility which makes 
farming unbearably expensive . Higher temperatures also reduce the number of productive labour 
hours spent on farms and unexpected rains also disrupt production and affect the quality of beans 
that can be produced, undermining competitiveness in the premium bean market for chocolate 
making . All these challenges contribute to low productivity and impoverishes farmers, leading to risk 
of child labour . In response, farmers have introduced dynamic forestry and climate -smart harvesting 
approaches which provide more forest coverage and mitig ate some issues associated with extreme 
heat and long drought .     
276.  Christophe Rugira, founder of Tropic Coffee Rwanda, talked about how climate change has 
affected coffee production and the steps being taken in Rwanda to adapt . He explained that coffee 
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  quantity of rainfall directly impact to production . He also spoke to the importance of the coffee crop 
to Rwanda's economy and explained that changes in climate h ave negative impacts on farmer 
revenue . His company works with farmers to export coffee to international markets . Tropic Coffee 
has seen a 20% reduction in production from 2021 to 2022 from its producers, which is attributed 
to changing climate effects suc h as heavier rains and new diseases . Adaptation measures which 
have been introduced to support farmers include teaching farmers about climate change, training in 
good agricultural practices, introducing agroforestry sourcing new coffee varieties which can adapt 
to the changing climate, for example, drought -resistant variants .      
277.  Cécile Billaux, Head of Unit for Micro -economic analysis, investment climate, private sector, 
trade & employment, and international partnerships at the European Commission discuss ed what 
the launch of the EU Green Deal means for the private sector in developing countries and what 
opportunities it offers cooperatives and coffee businesses . The EU is setting ambitious targets and 
introducing ambitious legislative tools , for example t he carbon border tax mechanism, deforestation 
legislation , as well as introducing mandatory due diligence for human rights and sustainability in 
corporate oversight . Cécile emphasi zed that the transition should not be seen as a barrier to trade 
but rather an opportunity to increase competitiveness and that the EU intends to set high standards 
but also support the transition work . In the Aid -for-Trade context, half of the EU development spend 
is already on green and environmental projects, approximately EUR 22 billion  in 2020 . In the "Switch 
Africa Green" project developed by the EU with collaboration from UNEP and now operational in 
7 African countries across agriculture -related sectors, 3 ,000 MSMEs were supported to discover how 
they can seize green economi c opportunities and foster entrepreneurship . The project created 
16,000  jobs in the circular economy and green entrepreneurship . This is the kind of project that is 
turning the Green Deal into a tool for dealing with climate change .      
278.  In the closing rou nd of questions, Cécile explained that Aid for Trade is a generic term and 
can be trade facilitation, infrastructure , etc. However, the focus of the Green Deal is fostering 
sustainable trade, promoting green practices, and training entrepreneur s about  how they can adapt 
their business model to incorporate practices that are more sustainable, and gain a competitive 
advantage in the market for green products in the EU and beyond .    
279.  Vanessa Egborogbo emphasi zed that climate change adaptation is no longer just a cost, it is 
an opportunity for business development . The cost of action may be significant, but delay would be 
much more costly . The ITC has prepared guidelines to support industries and incentivi ze meaningful 
engagement and capacity building to imp lement the EU mandatory due diligence legislation . At a 
round table in November 2022 , ITC will produce a roadmap and recommendations on how to 
implement deforestation free policies while avoiding unintended consequences for producers .     
280.  Nelson Adubofour called for strategic partnership that is worthwhile and indicated that the 
cooperative would like to see sustainable capacity building to support implementation and continuity 
and advocated for farmers at the bottom line of the supply chain to also be reco gnized as partners .     
281.   Christophe Rugira stressed that adaptation requires financing, and that farmers can be 
supported in a variety of measures but that there is also a need for increasing awareness along the 
whole coffee value chain, particularly consu mer, who may be a source of direct funding for climate 
adaptability .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 33: CALIBRATING AID FOR TRADE TO THE DIGITAL ERA  
ORGANIZER(S): Commonwealth Secretariat, Enhanced Integrated Framework, World Economic 
Forum  
MODERATOR: Marie Chantal Rwakazina, Ambassador of Rwanda to the United Nations Office and 
other international organizations, Geneva    
PANELLISTS  
• Annette Ssemuwemba, Deputy Execu tive Director, Enhanced Integrated Framework 
Executive Secretariat at the World Trade Organization   
• Sean Doherty, Head of International Trade and Investment, World Economic Forum  
• Simon Lacey, Senior Lecturer, Institute for International Trade, University  of Adelaide  
• Pallavi Bajaj, International Trade Policy Advisor, Partner at TCube Consulting LLP, and 
Digital Services Entrepreneur  
 
Short Summary  
282.   The session examined how Aid for Trade can support developing countries to harness the 
benefits of digital trade . The panellists explored the impact of digitali zation on the international 
trading landscape, unpacked the challenges hampering developing countries from engaging in digital 
trade, highlighted the need to re -imagine and repurpose Aid for Trade throug h a newly invigorated 
Aid for Digital Trade initiative, and emphasi zed the importance of capacity building to enable 
developing countries to participate in, and benefit from, digital economy agreements . They also 
highlighted the importance of co -operation,  partnerships and involving the private sector in Aid for 
Trade supporting digital initiatives .  
Long Summary  
283.   In her opening remarks, the moderator , Ambassador Marie Chantal Rwakazina, highlighted 
the impact of digitali zation on the world economy and the need for trade policies to align with the 
changes brought on by digital transformation . She indicated there is a strong case for more Aid for 
Trade to support digital initiatives .     
284.  The first panellist, Sean Doherty, stated that digitali zation has alread y transformed the 
international trade landscape and stressed the importance of innovating and adapting to increasingly 
digital business platforms . He emphasi zed the need to address existing digital divides arising from 
variation in digital infrastructure a nd access charges . He suggested that, alongside Aid for Trade, 
investment for trade is required and aid for investment may also be needed . He stressed this is 
necessary to ensure developing countries have the set of services required for digitali zation to work . 
He suggested openness to FDI in the digital sphere is therefore necessary, and countries may have 
to adapt competition law and other legislation so that it is more welcoming to FDI supporting 
digitali zation. To this end, he mentioned the WEF 's Digital FDI programme, which aims to help grow 
FDI into the digital economy by identifying and implementing enabling reforms through 
public -private projects in emerging markets and developing countries .     
285.  The second panellist, Annette Ssemuwemba, outlined lessons for A id for Trade from the 
projects supported by the EIF . She noted that the global shift towards connectivity for economic 
empowerment has brought digital trade to the forefront, and suggested A id for Trade can be an 
important enabler of digital trade . However, she argued A id for Trade can only go so far without 
enabling systems and, hence, developing countries – and especially LDCs – need to create effective 
ecosystems for digitali zation. She sugg ested the first step should be to undertake appropriate 
diagnostics . To this end, LDCs must first recogni ze the importance of digital trade and commit to 
reform . For their part, development partners should establish a clear understanding of what needs 
to be addressed . She provided examples of ongoing work by the EIF to support LDCs, including 
through the development of e -commerce strategies for Rwanda and Bhutan and the provision of 
training on e -commerce and digital marketing skills for over 1500 women ent repreneurs in South east 
Asia.       WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  286.  The third panellist, Simon Lacey, made the case for a newly invigorated Aid for Digital Trade 
(AfDT) agenda and outlined why it is necessary to re -imagine and repurpose Aid for Trade . He argued 
that A id for Trade needs t o recogni ze the current economic reality . Digital transformation provides 
considerable economic benefits, including through efficiency gains and productivity enhancements 
in industrial processes . These, he argued, are economic gains that countries cannot a fford to miss if 
they want to develop and improve their citizens ' lives. He also noted there are significant gains to 
be made from digital trade and, hence, developing countries need to develop capacity to engage in 
digital trade to avoid falling further b ehind .      
287.  Pallavi Bajaj discussed the appropriateness of digital economy agreements (DEAs) as 
instruments to address capacity building needs for digital trade . DEAs can serve as powerful tools 
for deeper economic cooperation . However, she noted that many developing countries and small 
enterprises have capacity constraints that prevent them from benefiting fully from these 
agreements . Moreover, the complex legal and regulatory frameworks and provisions underpinning 
them threaten to marginali ze developi ng countries, particularly small businesses in these countries . 
Existing DEAs do not have substantive provisions for capacity building as their signatories are mostly 
developed economies or large emerging economies . She suggested that the inclusion of subs tantive 
provisions on cooperation for capacity building in these agreements, and frameworks that cater for 
different capacities, can incentivi ze developing economies to join DEAs and harness their benefits . 
Such provisions, she argued, must help to build h uman capacity, capabilities to develop and 
implement legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks, and capacity to negotiate agreements 
effectively . She added that capacity -building provisions in DEAs should be crafted with input from 
stakeholders, and m echanisms to benchmark and monitor capacity -building outcomes should be 
built into the frameworks of these agreements .     
288.  Annette Ssemuwemba explained how the EIF is working to support efforts to build capacity . 
However, she acknowledged that resource lim itations mean it is crucial to ensure inclusivity and 
target the right segments of the population, especially women and youth . She also stressed the 
importance of developing infrastructure to support digitali zation and strengthening public -private 
partners hips (PPPs) . She cited an example from Cambodia where the EIF has fostered collaboration 
between the public and private sectors to invest in a multi -stakeholder digital project .     
289.  Sean Doherty 's second intervention focused on how to harness development p artnerships to 
foster the digital economy, unlock digital trade and overcome digital divides . He extolled the merits 
of involving the private sector, especially on digital issues, since it is generally the engine of trade . 
For him, private sector involveme nt helps ensure support is relevant and up -to-speed with 
contemporary developments, because governments tend to take longer to catch up with fast 
changing technologies and business models . However, he acknowledged that motivating businesses 
to get involved  in government projects can be a challenge unless they are acting as commercial 
service providers . Nevertheless, he highlighted examples of ongoing PPPs, including one with the 
Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, which runs around 30 projects, many of which involve 
digitali zation of customs or other border agencies .    
290.   Simon Lacey followed up his earlier intervention by outlining four policy areas where the 
implementation of an Aid for Digital Trade  agenda would have the greatest impact . According to 
him, the first and most obvious area is in the infrastructure space, with a priority to connect the rest 
of humanity to the internet . However, he noted that simply building infrastructure is not enough . 
Putting in place policies that can enable affordable a ccess to digital infrastructure, improve digital 
skills and enable adoption of digital technologies are critical to drive digital inclusiveness . He added 
that AfDT should also support e -government services that improve business and regulatory 
environments . Finally, he argued that AfDT could target the development of digital financial tools to 
enhance financial inclusion . In closing, he noted that these four areas are complimentary and 
mutually reinforcing building blocks for closing the digital gap between developing and developed 
countries , and are essential to achieving the goal at the heart of the A id-for-Trade agenda – to help 
entrepreneurs and businesses in developing countries connect to the global trading system .  
Reporter: Commonwealth Secretariat  
 
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SESSION 34: FACILITATING SERVICES  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Iza Lejarraga, Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations; Visiting Professor, 
Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management; Trade Policy Expert and co -creator of OECD 's 
Services Trade Restrictiveness Index  
PANELLISTS  
• Mohit Bhasin, Partner and Global Co -Lead of Economic Growth Practice, KPMG   
• Thomas Fine, Convenor, APEC Group on Services and Director, Services and Investment, 
United States Trade Representative   
• Kemvichet Long, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the 
Kingdom of Cambodia to the WTO and other IOs, Cambodia   
• Ana Paula Assis, G eneral Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, IBM Corporation   
• Matthew Stephenson, Head of Investment Policy and Practice, World Economic Forum  
 
Short Summary  
291.   The session focused on: ( i) the importance of services to developing countries , in particular 
to the LDCS ; (ii) the bottlenecks faced by LDCs preventing their integration to the global services 
economy ; (iii) the APEC experiences in improving services trade ; and  (iv) capacity building and 
assistance requirements to address the gaps u nder services and tap export opportunities . 
Long Summary  
292.  Iza Lejarraga, OECD, welcomed participants and informed that the session was organized by 
the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Cambodia . She underscored the importance of 
services to LDCs d ue to increasing focus on digital trade and supply chains linkages . Services could 
play a pivotal role in addressing challenges faced by LDCs in terms of high concentration on few 
products, capital and human constraints and improving competitiveness . She further added that the 
Plurilateral Services Domestic Regulation (SDR) Agreement concluded in December 2021 and the 
LDC Services Waiver could have positive gains on LDCs .      
293.  Kemvichet Long, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the  
Kingdom of Cambodia to the WTO and other International Organizations, Cambodia, accentuated on 
the importance of the services sector to the LDC s. He underlined that several LDC s, in particular 
those depending on tourism services (Mode 2) were harshly affe cted due to the pandemic . He 
informed that, so far, 25 countries had tabled notifications under the LDC Services Waiver . He further 
indicated that although countries took commitments to open their markets to LDCs, supplying 
services remained difficult in v iew of the internal regulations and barriers constraining access . For 
instance, mutual recognition of qualifications could be a barrier for professionals willing to supply 
their services abroad and many  LDCs did not have the capacity to establish commercia l presence in 
developed countries .  He underlined that Aid for Trade could play an important role for LDCs in the 
transition towards a services -based economy . Looking  forward he proposed: ( i) the formulation of a 
transition strategy for LDCs which would id entify the gaps/challenges and how international donors 
could assist ; and  (ii) a collective request for an assessment of the services waiver and how LDC s 
could really benefit from the decision .  
294.  Thomas Fine, Convenor, APEC Group on Services , and Director, Services and Investment, 
shared the APEC perspective on the regulatory principles in place in APEC to facilitate trade in 
services . The importance of effective internal domestic regulations was considered of key importance 
to gauge the benef its under services trade . He underlined that the APEC principles on Domestic 
Regulation was similar to the SDR Agreement but was non -binding . However, APEC members 
demonstrated a high degree of willingness and commitment of capital -based institutions to br ing in 
internal reforms to abide to the APEC principles on Domestic Regulations . He also informed that the 
APEC developing countries came up with their own technical assistance needs after consultation with 
local stakeholders to bring in the relevant inter nal domestic reforms . He highlighted that whilst LDCs 
would gain from the commitments undertaken by other Members under the SDR, they would also 
miss an opportunity of not undertaking appropriate internal reforms by not joining the plurilateral WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  agreement . He apprised that the APEC also has a database on the bilateral mutual recognition 
agreements which provides transparency on qualification requirements . As a way forward, he 
underlined the need for: ( i) support to the regulatory bodies to ensure effective d omestic regulatory 
changes ; and  (ii) appropriate coordination amongst the capital -based institutions including the 
private sector .        
295.  In her intervention, Ana Paula Assis, General Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, IBM 
Corporation, indicated that  services gained importance with the pandemic which triggered a massive 
use of digital services and disruptions in the supply chain . She emphasized that the private sector 
could play a pivotal role in the upskilling of professionals .  She apprised the sess ion on the initiatives 
launched by IBM in Africa "IBM Digital – Nation Africa" which assisted in raising digital literacy, 
increas ing the number of skilled developers in Africa,  and support ing entrepreneurs in bringing digital 
solutions in their enterprise . She further indicated that the private sector could provide support in 
providing data as well as analy zing the best regulatory process that policy makers could implement . 
As a way forward, she accentuated on the need for: ( i) appropriate public -private s ector partnership 
on digitalization and best regulatory frameworks ; and (ii) more transparent regulations which would 
cut costs for the private sector .   
296.  Mohit Bhasin, Partner and Global Co -Lead of Economic Growth Practice, KPMG emphasized on 
the need for transparency and effective domestic regulations .  He touched upon the challenges faced 
by the private sector including the absence of data and transparency mechanisms hindering services 
export .  He also underscored that the Trade Facilitation Agreement bro ught significant reduction in 
the cost of doing business , and the SDR could have similar results, provided that appropriate 
transparency mechanisms were adopted by countries . As for going  forward , he stressed on the need 
for appropriate transparency mechan ism including clear notifications on licensing requirements, and 
the establishment of enquiry points to address queries in a time -bound manner .          
297.  Matthew Stephenson, Head of Investment Policy and Practice, World Economic Forum, 
indicated that two elements were essential for countries to benefit from opportunities under services , 
namely : (i) appropriate regulatory framework ; and ( ii) public -private collaboration . He stated that, 
six out of ten jobs are from the services sector . He apprised that the WEF has established the Global 
Alliance for Trade Facilitation which is a public -private partnership aimed at supporting developing 
and least  developed countries in implementing the World Trade Organization 's Trade Facilitation 
Agreement . The implementatio n of the SDR would enable the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation 
to extend assistance on services -related projects .  He highlighted that f or the SDR to be effective, 
countries should be committed to bring ing in domestic regulation reforms .  They should  also c onsider 
how the Services Waiver and the SDR could be linked to better assist LDCs in their transition to a 
services -based economy ; adopt a holistic and coherent approach which would cover all aspects of 
facilitating trade including goods, services, investment and e -commerce facilitation ; and  Ensure 
communication with the private sector with appropriate statistics on how the implementation of the 
SDR could improve their business in terms of transparency, cost reduction amongst others .  
298.  The following k ey takeaways can be derived from discussions held at the meeting:  
• Services can be a driving force for LDCs in view of the growing contribution to their economy 
in terms of trade and employment . It also offers opportunities for internal transformation by 
improving productivity and could be a catalyst for the expansion of regional and global value chains .       
• Transparent domestic regulations and data information are key elements to tap opportunities 
under the services sectors .      
• A holistic approach linking trade in goods, services, investment and digitization need to be 
adopted for Aid -For-Trade Support .      
• Coordination between the private sector and public agencies is crucial to both undertak ing 
domestic regulation reforms an d addressing the challenges in the services sector .  
Reporter:  WTO 
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SESSION 35: IMPLEMENTING THE WTO AGREEMENT ON FISHERIES SUBSIDIES - 
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPING MEM BERS  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Clarisse Morgan, Director, Rules Division, World Trade Organization  
Keynote Speaker   
• Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, Director -General, World Trade Organization      
 
PANELLISTS  
• Mere Falemaka, Ambassador, Pacific Island Forum Secretariat  
• Kerri-Ann Jones, Deputy Secretary -General, Organization for Economic Co -operation and 
Development  
• Muhammadou M . O. Kah, Ambassador, The Republic of The Gambia   
• Charlotte de Fontaubert, Senior Fisheries Specialist, Environment, Natural Resources & Blue 
Economy Global Practice, East and Southern Africa Region, World Bank Group     
 
Discussants   
• Angela Ellard, Deputy Director -General , World Trade Organization  
• Máximo Torero, Chief Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization  
• Santiago Wills, Ambassador, P ermanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Colombia to 
the WTO, the Chair of the Negotiating Group on Rules in WTO  
• Jürgen Zattler, Director -General , German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and 
Development  
 
Short Summary  
299.   The session focused on the implementation of the new WTO Agreement on fisheries subsidies, 
its challenges and opportunities for developing Members . The WTO report on this topic was launched 
at the session . The discussion focused on: (i) the benefits and o pportunities the new Agreement 
brings, particularly for developing country and LDC Members; (ii) the challenges these Members 
may face in implementing the Agreement; and (iii) existing and potential support for sustainable 
fisheries, including how this may  be relevant to implementing the Agreement .  
Long Summary  
300.   The session began  with a keynote speech by Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, WTO Director -General . In 
her remarks, the DG recalled that at MC12 , WTO Members adopted a new Agreement on Fisheries 
Subsidies . She noted that when the agreement is fully in force, the new disciplines will eliminate 
subsidies to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, to fishing regarding overfished 
stocks, and  to fishing on the unregulated high seas; and will incorporate a sustainability focus into 
future use of fisheries subsidies . The Director -General underscored that implementing the 
Agreement will pose some challenges to Members, especially developing count ry and LDC Members .  
301.  These challenges include: integrating fisheries -related elements into subsidy policies; 
establishing internal systems to ensure that the fisheries -related requirements of the Agreement are 
taken into consideration when providing fisher ies subsidies; and meeting the new notification 
requirements on fisheries -related information .     
302.  The Director -General pointed out that for developing and LDC Members , the Agreement 
provides an extra two years in the form of dispute settlement peace claus es to comply with some 
rules. It also provides for technical assistance and capacity building, including through a voluntary 
WTO funding mechanism . The Fund is to be operated by the WTO along with partner organizations, 
in particular the FAO, the World Ban k, and IFAD . The Fund will operate to fill gaps in existing 
assistance and thus ensure that beneficiaries have assistance to implement the Agreement .     
303.   The Director -General launched a WTO report on this topic, entitled "Implementing the WTO 
Agreement on  Fisheries Subsidies – Challenges and opportunities for developing and least -developed 
country Members" . In addition to summarizing the Agreement and what it means for developing WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  country and LDC Members, the report presents OECD data on existing developmen t finance to the 
fisheries sector . According to the report, in 2010 -20, almost USD 5 billion in assistance was 
committed to fisheries in the ocean economy, which is dwarfed by the annual USD 22 billion in 
harmful fisheries subsidies . Eliminating these subsidies would unlock resources that could be 
leveraged to promote sustainable fisheri es management and practices .     
304.  Mere Falemaka, Ambassador, Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, began the panel discussion 
highlighting the opportunities of the Agreement, with a focus on the Pacific region . The Agreement 
can potentially contribute to the su stainability of the Pacific Ocean, including through tackling IUU 
fishing losses and providing an opportunity to strengthen the monitoring of transhipment catch .      
305.  In terms of the gaps in development assistance, Ambassador Falemaka noted that existing 
assistance does not foresee the implementation of the Agreement as such . She stated that Pacific 
Forum countries at the regional level are identifying implementation obligations and what technical 
assistance is needed, including how to give effect to the Ag reement in domestic laws and what 
aspects of fisheries management systems will need to be strengthened .      
306.  In his intervention, Mohammadou Kah, Ambassador, The Gambia, focused on the main 
challenges LDCs will face in complying with the obligations under the Agreement . These include new 
notification requirements for some detailed information on fisheries and establishing mechanisms to 
withdraw prohibited subsidies . In addition, the Agreement's requirements to have certain legislation 
in place, in particula r to adjust the rules on eligibility for subsidies and to exclude some types of 
subsidies, will pose specific challenges for LDCs . Ambassador Kah noted that existing technical 
assistance does not single out subsidies as an area of focus where new immediate  support will be 
needed . He called for assistance to establish quality data infrastructure for the fisheries ecosystem .      
307.  Kerri-Ann Jones, Deputy Secretary -General of the OECD, highlighted two noticeable trends 
shown in OECD data and analysis . First, su pport to fuel remains the single largest direct support 
policy in both OECD and emerging economies . Second, infrastructure spending such as port facilities, 
which are largely capacity enhancing, is increasing . The tracking of ocean -relevant Overseas 
Develo pment Assistance will allow more transparency and accountability and will provide information 
relevant to the implementation of the new WTO Agreement .          
308.  Representing the World Bank Group, Charlotte de Fontaubert, Senior Fisheries Specialist, 
noted t hat the distinction between the sustainable part of a project and the rest is often ambiguous 
when looking at actual operations . To entrench sustainability in new operations, the World Bank 
carries out upstream analytical work focusing on climate and fishe ries. Another important aspect is 
the impact of subsidies . Overall, the World Bank has an objective of increasing the size of its fisheries 
portfolio and remains committed to helping WTO Members implement the new Agreement .      
309.  Jürgen Zattler, Director -General, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and 
Development  noted that Germany's assistance has an overall objective of enhancing sustainability 
with a particular focus on small -scale artisanal fishing . A few examples of fisheries projects supp orted 
by Germany are the implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement in The Gambia, Kenya, 
Madagascar, and Senegal , and the development of infrastructure for fisheries value chains in 
Mauritania .  
310.  Máximo Torero, Chief Economist, FAO, noted that the  FAO has a long trajectory of supporting 
its Members' capacity development for sustainable trade involving fisheries and agricultural 
products . The FAO offers portals with tools to support capacity building and technology transfer, for 
example, a portal fo r applying the ecosystem approach to fisheries .  He noted that as a key partner 
for the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism, the FAO, through its technical expertise and 
multidisciplinary capacity, will be highly functional to support the required capacity dev elopment in 
fisheries to implement the new Agreement, including revising domestic legislation, monitoring 
information, and developing data systems .      
311.  Santiago Wills, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Colombia to the WTO and Chair of the WTO 
Negotiating G roup on Rules, emphasized that this Agreement is more about opportunities than the 
challenges . The Agreement establishes many opportunities: to change the status quo, to contribute 
to ocean sustainability, to contribute to the livelihoods and communities that depend on fisheries, 
and to implement good practices in subsidy programmes . The implementation challenges should be WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  addressed through the lens of these opportunities, as it is easier to overcome challenges when the 
objective is worth it . The existing and future multilateral and bilateral support for fisheries and the 
WTO funding mechanism envisaged in the Agreement will help Members to pursue these 
opportunities .      
312.  Angela Ellard, Deputy Director -General  of the WTO, highlighted the need f or Members to 
deposit their instruments of acceptance as soon as possible so that the Agreement can enter into 
force. She pointed to WTO's existing resources to assist Members, noting that such support can be 
provided as advice, consultation, and more stru ctured assistance through WTO technical assistance 
channels . From the institutional side, a new Committee on Fisheries Subsidies will be established 
that will provide a forum to address fisheries issues, including implementation .      
313.  DDG Ellard stressed t hat one of the primary benefits of the Agreement will be to bring forward 
more information on fisheries subsidies and fisheries management through its notification 
requirements, which will inform the next wave of negotiations to enhance the disciplines . Finally, 
DDG Ellard re -emphasized the need to repurpose funds for harmful subsidies to support sustainable 
fishing practices instead .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 36: WHAT ARE THE COMMITMENTS FOR GENDER EQUALITY IN REGIONAL TRADE 
AGREEMENTS: LAUNCH OF THE WTO GENDER -RESPONSIVE TRADE AGREEMENTS 
DATABASE  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
PANELLISTS  
• José Luís Cancela  Gómez, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the 
United Nations and to the WTO, Uruguay   
• Lolita Laperle -Forget, Trade and Gender Officer, WTO  
• Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Botswana 
to the UN, the WTO and Specialized Agencies, Botswana   
• Anoush der Boghossian, Head of Trade and Gender Unit, WTO  
 
Short Summary  
314.   The session looked at the gender provisions included in regional trade agreements . Two 
Ambassadors shared their experience in negotiating and im plementing gender provisions, and an 
expert from the WTO discussed the global and regional trends of gender mainstreaming in regional 
trade agreements . The objective of the session was to draw an accurate picture of how gender issues 
are taken into conside ration in trade agreements and launch the WTO database on gender provisions 
in RTAs .  
Long Summary  
315.   Athaliah Molokomme  of Botswana recalled the four pillars guiding the work of the Informal 
Working Group (IWG) on Trade and Gender, which are to exchange views on how to apply a gender 
lens to the work of the WTO, to review gender -related reports produced by the WTO secretar iat, to 
share information and experience on gender -responsive trade policies and to discuss how women 
may benefit from the Aid -for-Trade Initiative . The objective is to make the WTO a more 
gender -responsive organi zation and ensure that the work of the WTO takes into account the different 
needs and interests of men and women when they trade .     
316.  Ms Molokomme also shared Botswana's experience in mainstreaming gender at the regional 
level through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) . She explained  that the 
Declaration on gender in SADC was monitored through annual reporting at the level of heads of 
states . Although this was initially a non -binding declaration, state parties reported every year on 
their progress . The Declaration provided a platform for experience and information sharing among 
the parties and contributed to increasing awareness of trade and gender equality linkages . A few 
years later, the SADC built on the Declaration and adopted a binding protocol as part of the 
community legal frame work.      
317.  José Luis Cancela of Uruguay, Coordinator of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs, shared 
the experience of Uruguay in negotiating the FTA with Chile, which includes a full chapter devoted 
to trade and gender issues . He pointed out that this chap ter provides for the establishment of a 
specific monitoring committee to ensure progress in implementing the other gender provisions . The 
duties of this committee are to facilitate the exchange of information and practices to best benefit 
women, to coordin ate and evaluate the performance of the bilateral cooperation, and to dialogue 
with other international organizations, NGOs or other actors to foster the application of this chapter . 
He highlighted that this chapter is innovative and, although the language  is the best endeavour, the 
FTA provides for the commitment to undertake regular activities in the framework of this committee 
to accelerate gender equality .      
318.  WTO Trade and Gender Officer Lolita Laperle -Forget, who designed the database, stressed the 
importance of demystifying gender provisions to support the formulation of gender -responsive RTAs 
and ensure that women are not left behind in trade liberalization . She observed that, although the 
first provision on gender equality was integrated in the Tre aty of Rome in 1957, the practice of 
including gender provisions in RTAs truly emerged in the 1990s with the proliferation of RTAs 
worldwide . She noted that contrary to a common belief, mainstreaming gender equality in RTAs 
started in the African continent , with the conclusion of eight intra-African RTAs that includes several 
gender provisions, and two of them have a dedicated chapter on women's economic empowerment . WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  She also explained that both developed and developing countries are part of RTAs with gende r 
provisions and that the development index is not an indicator of the commitments for gender equality 
in RTAs . In total, 159 countries are part of at least one RTA with a gender provision (90% of the 
WTO Membership – 147 Members) .      
319.  She also explained that RTAs address a wide range of gender issues, including social issues, 
such as women's access to education, f amily -related issues, access to health or gender -based 
violence; gender inequalities issues and non -discrimination; women's economic participation, which 
includes specific provisions on women in the labour force, women entrepreneurs or women's access 
to productive resources; decision -making and leadership ; and cultural issues . She highlighted that 
about two -thirds of the provisions promote the participation of women in economic activities, tackling 
issues related to employment, women in the workforce, women  entrepreneurs, and capacity -building 
for formal and informal women traders , and one -third address es gender -related social issues .      
320.  Ms Laperle -Forget  also explain ed the existing enforcement mechanisms applicable for gender 
equality . First, two -thirds o f the provisions are under the supervision of a monitoring institution . The 
existence of a monitoring institution can foster, to some extent, the accountability of the parties 
with regard to the full implementation of their commitment to gender equality si nce state parties 
may have to report on the progress they have accomplished to achieve the objectives identified by 
the gender provisions . Second, three -quarters of the provisions are not excluded from the scope of 
the dispute settlement mechanism if the a greement provides one . In fact, only 22% of the provisions 
are explicitly excluded from the dispute settlement, and this is a predominant trend observed in 
recent RTAs . However, she explained that although most provisions are a priori  bound to an 
enforceme nt mechanism, the vast majority of gender provisions are not formulated with binding 
language . As the nature of the commitment formulated in the provision is not binding, the 
non-compliance of these provisions cannot be challenged through dispute settlemen t. Therefore, the 
enforcement mechanism for gender provisions is often rather weak in practice .      
321.  Lastly, Ms Laperle -Forget launched the Database on gender provisions in RTAs and explained 
how to use the filters to search specific provisions .     
322.   Durin g the Q&A, Ms Laperle -Forget explained that the database was developed first to support 
WTO Members in their future trade negotiations by providing access to information on the 
commitments made for gender equality in existing RTAs . She also highlighted tha t the database 
could be a tool for another stakeholder, including researchers and women entrepreneurs . She also 
explained the importance of gender impact assessment to formulate informed RTAs and adopt trade 
policies that are aligned with the commitments f or gender equality and aim at filling the gender 
gaps. Anoush der Boghossian built on that argument to explain that gender impact assessment and 
data collection are also critical to developing gender -responsive trade policies . Mr Cancela also 
shared the ex perience of Uruguay in reconciling the interests of the civil society in the RTA with 
Chile. He explained that consultations among the two governments seemed more appropriate than 
dispute settlement to resolve future issues arising from the implementation of the chapter on trade 
and gender .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 37:  UNLOCKING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITH CLEAN COOKING  
ORGANIZER(S): Clean Cooking Alliance  
MODERATORS:  
• Jillene Connors Belopolsky, Chief of Staff and External Affairs, Clean Cooking Alliance    
• Aik Hoe Lim, Director, Trade & Environment, World Trade Organization     
PANELLISTS  
• Simon Manley, UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO     
• Michael A kurang Opoku, Team Leader, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry 
of Trade and Industry, Ghana     
• Mariam Karanja, Programme Manager, Clean Cooking Association of Kenya     
• Sophie Odupoy, Group Head of Public Affairs, KOKO Networks  
 
Short S ummary  
323.   The affordability of modern stoves and fuels is a key access enabler to clean cooking for 
vulnerable and poor communities around the world . Trade can be part of the solution . The reduction 
or elimination of tariffs and non -tariff barriers on such goods and the use of appropriate trade policies 
and international standards has the potential to energize trade and investment in the clean cooking 
sector . This session gave an overview of the challenge and solutions and discussed why reduction 
of tra de barriers is important to increase access to clean cooking globally and achieve sustainable 
development, environment and climate goals .  
Long Summary  
324.  Simon Manley, UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO provided opening 
remarks which outli ned the challenge of cooking on polluting open fires and stoves fuelled by 
kerosene, biomass and coal, reminding that 2 .4 billion people still rely on these harmful methods to 
cook food or heat homes . He drew attention to the health impacts associated with  the lack of clean 
cooking access, which is a greater cause of premature deaths than both malaria and tuberculosis . 
"Over 3 million people across the globe die prematurely from illnesses attributable to the household 
air pollution that is created by using unclean cooking facilities .  He added that women are, together 
with children, disproportionately affected by the health impacts and they also bear a large burden 
of collecting the firewood needed for unclean cooking stoves . Finally, highlighting the enviro nmental 
impacts, he emphasized that greenhouse gas emissions created by burning wood fuels in unclean 
cookstoves amount to a gigaton of CO2 each year, while up to 25 % of global black carbon emissions 
come from residential solid fuel burning .     
325.  Jillene Co nnors Belopolsky, Chief of Staff and External Affairs at the Clean Cooking Alliance 
presented on the current state of the sector and the need for a more enabling environment to support 
the growth of the clean cooking industry . "The level of funding and inv estment in the clean cooking 
sector has not matched the global magnitude of the challenge, hovering in the tens of millions of 
dollars ." She emphasized that trade can and should be a part of the solution . "The affordability of 
cleaner and more modern stove s and fuels is a key access enabler to clean cooking for many 
vulnerable and poor communities around the world . Higher taxes and duties lead to higher prices of 
products sold in the formal sector, driving the lowest -income customers towards informally prod uced 
and less efficient stoves and fuels ."     
326.  Aik Hoe Lim, Director, Trade & Environment at WTO moderated a panel discussion with leaders 
in policy and industry .     
327.  Mariam Karanja, Programme Manager at the Clean Cooking Association of Kenya talked about 
the private sector 's experience of trade flows in clean cooking in the Kenyan market and trade 
barriers that clean cooking enterprises encountered . She reminded that according to data from 2019, 
about 64% of Kenyans still lack access to clean cooking solutions, while in rural areas the situation 
is worse,  with 90% of people who lack access . On the positive side, she assessed that Kenya is on 
the right path, with the private sector making tremendous growth over time and allowing for the WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  transition from open fires to improved stoves of different quality rank ing tires . Nevertheless, this 
progress did not come without challenges, including the COVID -19 pandemic affecting the trade 
flows in Kenya and obstructing the imports of fuels and technologies . Moreover, as she stressed, 
increased import duties that are imposed in Kenya are largely straining the sector . Referring to 
non-tariff barriers, including regulations and rules that govern the clean cooking sector, she 
explained that over time, partnerships and engagements with different government agencies, are 
resulting in gradual standardization of clean cooking products, which is facilitating the growth of the 
sector .      
328.  Michael Akurang Opoku, Team Leader of Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the 
Ministry of Trade and Industry in Ghana outlined the  importance of clean cooking in the national 
country context, as well as the steps needed to increase the availability of clean cooking . He focused 
on the importance of policies, cultural change and understanding of income differences . He 
highlighted that sensitizing and raising awareness of the health and environmental dangers of 
polluting cooking practices are crucial for allowing the transition to clean cooking . As he explained, 
the government has to address income barriers and introduce measures to supp ort people who lack 
access to clean cooking solutions . He also stressed the importance of creating an enabling 
environment for investing in clean cooking solutions, such as allowing for easier access to 
technologies and being able to assemble .     
329.   Sophie Odupoy, Group Head of Public Affairs at KOKO Network, detailed her 
recommendations for better dissemination of clean cooking stoves, based on their experience of 
working in different markets . As she explained, the focus of their work is to provide affordab le and 
safe clean cooking solutions, by selling the product directly to the costumer without middlemen . 
They proved that they have a scalable solution and they are currently present in over 550,000  
households . She stressed the importance of removing the ta xes that are essentially increasing the 
price for the consumer, instead of relying on subsidies that are unsustainable . Also, one of the 
lessons learned is that "unless you have an investment agreement in place with which you are able 
to guarantee stabilit y in terms of the fiscal and regulatory environment, it is very difficult to 
continuously invest when there is no certainty ." She also drew attention to the importance of 
business associations, as governments are more willing to listen to them than to a si ngle private 
sector player .      
330.  The Q&A session touched on a range of areas, including the great growth potential of the clean 
cooking sector, the enormous opportunities for employment across all aspects of the value chain, 
the crucial role of women acros s the ecosystem, the importance of coordination between 
governments, private sector and civil society, and others .      
331.  Finally, Jillene Connors Belopolsky closed by highlighting the ongoing collaboration between 
CCA and WTO to improve the transparency and  access to data and information on trade policies and 
regulations in the clean cooking sector .   
Reporter: Clean Cooking Alliance  
 
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SESSION 38:  THE ROLE OF TRADE IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE -INDUCED FRAGILITY  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Anne Hammill, Senior Director, Resilience, International Institute for Sustainable 
Development     
PANELLISTS  
• Patricia Ann Hermanns, Permanent Representative of the Commonwealth of the 
Bahamas to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva  
• Rebecca Barton, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Australia to the World Trade 
Organization   
• Giovanna Adinolfi, Professor of International Law, University of Milan  
 
Short Summary  
332.   As explained by Anne Hammill, climate change, fragility, and trade are intrinsically 
linked:  trade can contribute and be a solution to both climate change and fragility . In this session, 
the challenges related to climate change faced by the Bahamas and Australia were detailed by 
Patricia Ann  Hermanns and Rebecca  Barton, r espectively . Giovanna  Adinolfi presented the different 
ways in which trade, trade policy, Aid for Trade and WTO Membership could play a role in addressing 
climate -induced fragility, followed by Patricia Ann  Hermanns and Rebecca  Barton who elaborated 
the different national and regional trade policies being implemented in their respective countries to 
address this .  
Long Summary  
333.  In this session, the link between trade, climate change and fragility was explored thanks to 
the expertise of Ms Hammill and Ms Adinolfi and the experience of the Bahamas and Australia, 
detailed by Ms Hermanns and Ms Barton, respec tively . In fact, climate change, fragility, and trade 
are intrinsically linked: trade can contribute and be a solution to both climate change and fragility, 
while fragility is both a driver and consequence of climate vulnerability . Unravelling this nexus i s 
therefore essential to better designing trade policy and Aid for Trade to address these two pressing 
challenges .      
334.  Ms Hammill set the stage by detailing the effects of climate change in 2022, which she 
described as a "new climate normal": consistent h eatwaves and forest/bushfires, shifting monsoon 
rains and melting glaciers resulting in flash floods, and consecutive failed rainy seasons leading to 
droughts in different parts of the world were just a few of the climate disasters that would increase 
in the coming years . However, while the International Institute for Sustainable Development works 
with developing and least developed countries to design and implement national adaptation 
mechanisms to address climate change, trade does not feature prominently  in these strategies . 
There is therefore an opportunity for climate resilience policies to be more effective by taking into 
account the positive impacts that trade and trade policy can have .     
335.   Ms Hermanns laid out the different ways in which the Bahamas  had been and continued to 
be affected by climate change and climate -induced fragility, which included, inter alia: four major 
hurricanes in the last six years, one of which (Hurricane Dorian, Category 5) was estimated to have 
caused USD 3.4 billion in dam age. The devastating impacts of these natural disasters had 
long-lasting effects on the Bahamas' most important sector, tourism, which accounted for 32 . 2% 
of GDP and 51% of employment in the country . Ms Hermanns stressed the fact that the Bahamas, 
like ot her small island developing states (SIDS), was not and never had been the cause of climate 
change , but was forced to pay the price . In fact, SIDS contribute to far less than 1% of global 
greenhouse emissions but are among the countries most affected by climate change .      
336.  Ms Barton explained the effects of climate change in Australia and the surrounding 
region:  Australia was simultaneously facing floods, droughts, and heatwaves, the latter of which 
resulted in bushfires which impacted an are a larger than four times the size of Switzerland . This had 
devastating effects on biodiversity, including , but not limited to , fisheries, forest environments and 
coral reefs . While the Australian economy currently relies heavily on its natural resource sec tor, WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  which accounts for 70% of exports and 11% of GDP, something needs to be done . For this, Australia 
had set ambitious greenhouse reduction goals, aiming to reduce emissions below their 2005 level 
by 2030, and reaching net zero by 2050 . This would be rea ched through a range of different means, 
including , inter alia: increased investments to diversify the economy ; a focus on services such as 
tourism, professional services and IT ; and a transition to alternative energy sources .      
337.  Ms Adinolfi remarked on the complex relationship between trade and climate change, with 
trade having a direct and indirect impact on greenhouse gas emissions . Direct impacts focus mainly 
on the emissions resulting from the transport of goods by air, sea and road . Indirect impacts  were 
tied to the growing economic activity due to trade, although positive indirect impacts were observed 
thanks to the transfer of green technologies that could lead to a reduction of greenhouse gas 
emissions . Regarding natural disasters spurred by clima te change, trade could also play a key role 
through the provision of essential goods and services in the aftermath of catastrophes, including 
food and medicine . A specific example of trade -related solutions to climate -induced fragility is the 
use of insura nce and reinsurance markets, which can help absorb losses and shift the burden of 
reconstruction from the public sector to the private sector . Climate change risk management should 
therefore properly integrate trade measures that support resilience, and in  doing so, trade -related 
policies must be designed taking into account the role of trade in building resilience and strength to 
natural disasters .      
338.  The Bahamas was implementing a number of trade -related policies to mitigate the impacts of 
climate chang e and help address climate -induced fragility . This included the development of a 
national trade policy document with the International Trade Centre, which outlines a coherent set of 
short and long -term solutions focusing on the trade -related challenges fac ed by the Bahamas: the 
limited export of goods, a high degree of dependence on imports for consumption, a low level of 
diversification in the economy, and limited production capacity and competitiveness . In the last ten 
years, the Bahamas sharpened its leg islative framework and trade regime, which included the 
streamlining of tariffs, the implementation of a value -added tax, the development of a single window 
for customs clearance, a shift of focus toward the green and blue economy, and the development of 
financial services . Despite the focus placed on these policies, more needed to be done to address 
the existential threat of climate change .      
339.  Focusing on Aid for Trade, Ms Barton outlined a number of policies and projects implemented 
and supported by Aus tralia that focus on building climate resilience in the region . These included the 
Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Programme, with the objective of supporting 
access to diverse export markets to overcome key constraints in the region, and the PACER Plus 
agreement designed to support Pacific island countries to benefit more from regional and global 
trade .      
340.  In closing, Ms Adinolfi explained how WTO Membership could support climate adaptation for 
countries facing climate -induced fragil ity: increased access to goods and services that are essential 
in climate -related emergency situations, the implementation of trade facilitation measures that 
facilitate the importation of said goods and services, and WTO agreements which decrease regulato ry 
barriers to trade and facilitate investment and trade flows were some of the many benefits that could 
help address challenges related to climate change .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 39: SUSTAINABLE TRADE FINANCE  
ORGANIZER(S): Multilateral Development Bank Trade Finance Group  
MODERATOR: Marc Auboin, Counsellor, World Trade Organization  
PANELLISTS  
• Basel Al Hussein, Senior Manager, Advisory Services, ITFC (IsDB Group)  
• Nana Khurod ze, Associate Director, TFP, EBRD  
• Nathalie Louat, Director of Trade & Supply Chain Finance, IFC  
• Lamin M Drammeh, Senior Investment Head of Trade Finance, AfDB, TFP, ADB  
• Roberto Leva, Trade & Supply Chain Finance Relationship Manager, ADB  
 
Short Summary  
341.   Representatives of several multilateral development banks discussed their roles as providers 
of trade finance . Additionally, in the context of climate change, they shared the progress of their 
respective multilateral development bank (MDB)s ' trade finance programs in supporting the diffusion 
of green technology and sustainable trade  finance , while also highlighting some of the challenges 
they face when supporting the transition to a green economy .  
Long Summary  
342.   Trade finance programs by inte rnational development banks have an important role in 
providing trade finance to less -developed countries when there exists scarcity in the market . 
Moreover, it can promote the exchange of green technology and improve global energy efficiency . 
As part of t he 2022 Global Review of Aid for Trade, this panel discussed the role of multilateral 
development banks in providing trade finance with the aim of achieving sustainable development . 
To begin this discussion, the panellists provided overviews of the trade f acilitation programs (TFPs) 
at their respective MDBs .  
343.  The EBRD's program, which began in 1991 and operates in 30 countries, provides trade 
financing for issuing banks . To date, the EBRD has supported 29,000 transactions worth 
EUR 27 billion . In 2021, the TFP supported 1 ,883 transactions worth EUR 3 billion, and 9 new issuing 
banks joined their program . Over the last year, much of the EBRD's financing supported 
pandemic -related trade shocks for health and medical equipment, and their focus has now turned 
to food security .  
344.  Next, the IFC's TFP supported USD 26 billion of trade and supply chain finance during the 
COVID -19 crisis . Their largest program, the Global Trade Finance Program, has grown by 20% over 
the past year, and they attribute this growth to incr easing need for trade finance all around the 
world, but especially in sub -Saharan Africa . More precisely, trade disruptions due to the pandemic, 
the war in Ukraine and the ongoing food and energy crises increase transaction costs and create a 
greater need for trade finance . As a result, the IFC is focusing heavily on providing trade finance to 
the most vulnerable groups: low -income countries, small and medium -sized enterprises and women 
importers and exporters .  
345.  Third, the AfDB's TFP, which began in 2013, p rovides trade finance to local African banks and 
has greatly expanded their network of confirming banks in other regions, particularly Europe . They 
have introduced several new trade finance instruments over the last year geared towards specific 
challenges posed by the pandemic .  
346.  Fourth, the ITFC's TFP supports trade finance in North African and the Middle Eastern 
countries, among others . Like other MDBs, the ITFC faced challenges due to the pandemic . In 2019, 
they provided USD 5 . 8 billion of trade finance,  while in 2020, this number fell to 4 . 7 billion . This 
prompted an urgent response by the ITFC, consisting of several new programs and out -of-pocket 
lending worth USD 600 million which was geared towards supplying energy, food and healthcare . 
This new stra tegy supported USD 6 . 5 billion of trade in 2021 .  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  347.  Fifth, the AsDB's TFP, which began in 2009 after the global financial crisis, has supported 
around 40,000 transactions worth USD 55 billion since its inception . In 2019, they supported 
USD 5.4 billion worth of trade, while this rose to USD 8 billion in 2021 .      
348.  Considering recent trends to green our economies and make development more sustainable, 
the panellists were asked about how their respective TFPs were supporting sustainable trade finan ce 
and what some of the constraints and challenges are to sustainable trade finance .  
349.  First, the EBRD's TFP responded that they were no longer providing trade financing for fossil 
fuel transactions . Additionally, they have provided EUR 1 .3 billion of susta inable trade financing to 
date. However, their approach goes beyond financing trade . The EBRD has created and promoted 
the Green Technology Selector, which offers country -specific suggestions for products and vendors 
of high -performing green technologies . Moreover, they have begun to approach governments and 
regulators with the aim of eliminating barriers to sustainable trade .      
350.  Second, the IFC responded that the World Bank's Climate Change Action Plan aligns with the 
Paris Climate agreement by bolsterin g efforts to promote biodiversity, improve access to green 
energy sources and clean water, and support a just transition to a low -carbon economy . In order to 
achieve these goals, the IFC has made sustainable trade financing a top priority . Their approach f alls 
under three categories: supporting green trade, promoting sustainable commodities and supply 
chains, and supporting gender inclusion by providing lower trade financing costs if the importers or 
exporters are women . However, they must sometimes fund pr ojects that go against these mandates . 
Given the current energy crisis, the IFC is regularly faced with a trade -off of whether to support dirty 
energy trade in order to keep the economy going, but at the expense of greenhouse gas emissions .      
351.  Third, the  AfDB TFP has been very supportive of sustainable trade finance . While only 3% of 
total emissions are generated in Africa, the continent experiences some of the largest economic 
damages due to climate change . The AfDB's approach has two pillars: inclusive growth and the 
transition to green growth . They have created frameworks, action plans, and networks of banks in 
the pursuit of achieving sustainable trade finance, and they plan to mobilize USD 25 billion for climate 
financing by 2025 .      
352.  Fourth, the ITF C's TFP is currently developing a sustainable financing framework and policy 
plan. So far, they have supported several climate finance projects with a trade finance component, 
such as the implementation of best practices in Egypt's cotton harvests, Sudan's  agricultural industry 
and the Indonesia coffee sector .      
353.  Fifth, the AsDB's TFP has the strategic goal of supporting green trade . They no longer provide 
trade financing for coal, and by the end of 2023, they will no longer provide trade financing for oi l 
in all but two of their member countries . Moreover, they are financing trade that supports the 
diffusion of green technologies, such as solar and wind, among member countries . Additionally, the 
ADB is conducting questionnaires and leading discussions on the best practices for implementing 
green technologies . However, they acknowledge that they cannot simply "close the tap"; that is, in 
terms of their portfolio of funded projects, they cannot suddenly stop funding all "dirty" projects 
immediately . Phasing out the dirty projects for clean ones is a challenge as there need s to be a 
balance between society's current welfare and the environment, which has welfare implications for 
future generations . The ADB assesses this trade -off by maintaining open discourse with central 
banks and local banks on the climate and economic needs of each member country .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 40: EXPONENTIAL IMPACT THROUGH DIGITIZATION - THE AFRICAN STORY  
ORGANIZER(S): Nigeria and Bank of Industry  
MODERATOR:  Aisha Abdullahi , Bank of Industry , Nigeria      
PANELLISTS  
• Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, Director -General , World Trade Organization  
• Adamu Abdulhamid, Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, Nige ria 
• Toyin Adeniji, Executive Director, Bank of Industry, Nigeria  
• Uzoma Nwagba, Chief Operating Officer, Growth Platform  
• Elizabeth Kasali, Bank of Industry, Growth Platform  
 
Short Summary  
354.   This session was about the Growth Platform, Africa's largest executor of intervention 
programmes – targeted at micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – for governments, 
international organizations and corporates . The Growth Platform, which is associa ted with the Bank 
of Industry in Nigeria, has in the past five years provided credit and grants worth USD 472  million 
to 4.1 million MSMEs out of which 57% are women -led businesses . The platform has 22,000  agents 
(human banks) of which 75% are under 35 yea rs old . This has been achieved by processing 
innovation, deploying emerging technologies and agents, financial tools and big data .  
Long Summary  
355.   The session on "Exponential impact through digitization - The African story" was about the 
Growth Platform, Af rica's largest executor of intervention programmes – targeted at micro, small 
and medium enterprises – for governments, international organizations and corporates . The Growth 
Platform has been operation al for five years and it is associated with the Bank o f Industry of Nigeria .     
356.  Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, Director -General , World Trade Organization started the session by 
applauding the Growth Platform for their effort towards promoting digitalization of businesses and 
enhancing gender equality in Nigeria .  
357.  Toyin Adeniji, the Executive Director of the Bank of Industry , expounded by demonstrating 
the platforms funding and partnerships with the Bank of Industry and a growing range of programme 
partners such as the World Bank .      
358.  The rationale of the platform's  focus on MSMEs is informed by their contribution to 51% of 
Nigeria's GDP, employment of 76% of the labour force and less than 1% of them pursuing formal 
finance, according to Uzoma Nwagba, the platform's Chief Operations Officer . The program so far 
has th ree knock -on-effects . First, is youth employment , whereby 22,000 agents below the age of 
35 years have been employed . Three -quarters of these agents are women . Second, the promotion 
of women -owned enterprises whereby 57% of the funding has gone to women -led businesses . Third, 
the rise to the challenge of COVID -19 through data intelligence . The platform collected data on 
MSMEs during the pandemic and this data has been vital towards informing decisions not only to the 
Growth Platform but also other o rganizations . For instance, the World Bank has relied on this data 
to fund digitalization of MSMEs in Nigeria .     
359.  Speaking on behalf of the Government, Adamu Abdulhamid, the Nigerian Ambassador to the 
WTO, reiterated the need for the Government to impleme nt reforms towards digitalization . The need 
to explore data intelligence and engaging regulators to enable digital platforms of trade was also 
stressed by Muhammadou M . O. Kah, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Gambia to 
the United Nations Of fice and other international organizations in Geneva .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 41: PLASTICS, THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND OPTIONS TO MAINSTREAM TRADE -
RELATED COOPERATION TO TACKLE PLASTIC POLLUTION IN AID FOR TRADE  
ORGANIZER(S): Delegation of Ecuador to the World Trade Organization  
MODERATOR: Ludivine Tamiotti, Counsellor, World Trade Organization       
PANELLISTS  
• Mere Falemaka , Ambassador, Pacific Island Forum Secretariat   
• Leah Karrer, Circular Economy & Plastic Pollution Senior Program Manager, Global 
Environment Facility  
• Ahmed Makaila, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Chad to the UN and WTO, 
WTO LDC Group  
• Simon J M anley, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, United Kingdom, Mission 
to the UN and WTO  
• Jean-Marie Paugam, Deputy Director -General, World Trade Organization  
• Maria Cristina Solis Gallo, Vice Secretary for Industrial and Local Competitiveness, 
Ecuador  
• Mahe sh Sugathan, Senior Trade and Sustainability Expert, Forum for Trade, 
Environment and SDGs  
 
Short Summary  
360.   The meeting discussed : (i) challenges, opportunities and needs of developing countries, in 
particular LDCs and SID S, related to addressing plastic p ollution and transition to circular economy 
for plastics; (ii) importance of bolstering cooperation in support of trade action to address plastic 
pollution; and (iii) trade -related aid for supporting developing countries' efforts to tackle plastic 
pollutio n and ensuring transition to circular economy .  
Long Summary  
361.   In her opening remarks, Ludivine Tamiotti, Counsellor, WTO, said that plastic pollution is a 
global challenge that can only be addressed through international cooperation . In this process, it is  
important to ensure that the needs of developing Members, in particular LDCs and SID S, are 
addressed, as set up by the Ministerial Statement on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally 
Sustainable Plastics Trade .      
362.  Mere Falemaka, Ambassador, PIF Secretar iat, described SID S' challenges in addressing plastic 
pollution through trade -related measures . She noted that while Pacific island countries do not 
contribute significantly to global plastic exports, these countries are one of the main recipients of 
plastic. In this context, the PIF Secretariat recognizes that the threat plastic pollution poses to human 
health and the marine life in the ocean is significant . In order to address this challenge, the Pacific 
island countries started taking various actions at regional and national levels, such as banning 
single -use plastic . In addition, she said that trade -related instruments play an important role in 
addressing plastic pollution in the Pacific island countries . In this regard, the WCO work on amending 
the HS c odes to identify the plastic wastes would help countries to better frame appropriate 
trade -related responses to plastic pollution . Finally, she stressed that it is necessary to promote 
international cooperation to combat plastic pollution and to support SI DS so they can engage more 
actively in this process .  
363.  Simon Manley, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, United Kingdom, Mission to the 
UN and WTO outlined, among others, the following trade -related aid of the United Kingdom for 
supporting efforts to a ddress plastic pollution: (i) the UK Blue Planet Fund that supports global 
actions to tackle plastic pollution; (ii) the Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme that 
supports Commonwealth SIDS in identifying the potential of their marine economies; (iii) 
Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution programme that support s plastic mitigation 
solutions in certain countries; and (iv) support provided to certain countries in elaborating ideas on 
how to ensure transition to circular economy through trad e-related policies .      WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  364.  Ahmed Makaila, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Chad to the UN and WTO, WTO 
LDC Group, elaborated on the key priority areas for Chad and LDCs  in general with respect to plastic 
pollution . He said that plastic pollution poses a major threat to the environment and human and 
animal health . In this context, he noted that LDCs represent a small share of the world plastics 
trade . However, given their  limited resource to manage plastic waste, the volumes of plastic imports 
to LDCs are significant .      
365.  Against this background, he noted the importance of international cooperation to tackle plastic 
pollution . In this context, he said that the IDP work en sures that the WTO contributes to developing 
coherent policies for addressing plastic pollution . Relatedly, the Aid for Trade is an essential part of 
the framework that facilitates LDCs' transition to more sustainable trade while strengthening 
resilience t o environmental challenges and advancing economic diversification . In addition, he said 
that IDP offers an opportunity to explore options for meaningful Aid -for-Trade "deliverables" that 
could help LDCs tackle plastic pollution .      
366.  Jean-Marie Paugam, Dep uty Director -General , WTO, elaborated on challenges, opportunities 
and needs of developing countries, in particular LDCs, related to addressing plastic pollution and 
transition to circular economy . He noted that it is important for LDCs and SID S to engage actively 
in international cooperation for tackling plastic pollution for two main reasons . First, LDCs and SID S 
are the most vulnerable economies to global plastic pollution . Indeed, trade data shows that LDCs' 
participation in the total volume of plastic imports is eight times higher than their exports . Second, 
LDCs have enormous potential to deliver effective plastic substitutes . In this regard, he stressed the 
key role of Aid for Trade in helping LDCs and SID S to tackle plastic pollution and transition t o circular 
economy . In addition, he said that in order to develop plastic substitutes in developing countries, it 
is first necessary to identify global plastic trade flows . In this context, he noted that : (i) IDP 
co-sponsors the Aid for Trade Global Review  and Needs Assessment Survey; (ii) the WTO Secretariat 
and IDP work closely with the WCO to identify global plastic trade flows; and (iii) the WTO with its 
partners will launch a Global Plastic Value Chain Portal .    
367.  Leah Karrer, Circular Economy & Plastic  Pollution Senior Program Manager, GEF, presented 
the GEF work on plastic pollution and trade -related elements for cross -border plastics trade . She 
noted that funding plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective response of developing countries to 
plasti c pollution . In addition, the following actions would support developing countries' response to 
plastic pollution: (i) ensuring coordinated work among governmental agencies; (ii) developing 
government procurement policies that prohibit purchase of plastic items; and (iii) developing waste 
management infrastructure . In addition, it is necessary to work directly with business es and raise 
public awareness with respect to the risks posed by plastic pollution .      
368.  Maria Cristina Solis Gallo, Vice Secretary for Industrial and Local Competitiveness, Ecuador, 
describes Ecuador's challenges in implementing trade -related policies to address plastic pollution . 
She said that Ecuador moves to the circular economy, and, to this end, it develops the respective 
legislative  framework (e .g. the law on reduction of single -use plastics; the register of producers, 
recyclers and importers of plastics) . More generally, she stressed that the fight against plastic 
pollution requires greater collaboration and coordination among the U N member States, other 
international organizations, private sector and academia .      
369.  Mahesh Sugathan, Senior Trade and Sustainability Expert, TESS, presented the TESS latest 
policy brief on the Aid -for-Trade Priorities on Plastic Pollution . He identified the following actions to 
harnessing trade -related support for developing countries and LDCs in tackling plastic 
pollution:  (i) better capture trade -related component s of Official Development Assistance (ODA) 
initiatives on plastics; (ii) better identify Aid -for-Trade needs; and (iii) ensure that Aid -for-Trade 
interventions address trade -related challenges and opportunities relevant to tackling plastic pollution 
across the life cycle of plastics; and (iv) ensure coordination between Aid -for-Trade initiatives, ODA 
and environmental financing relevant to plastic pollution .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 42: IMPROVING DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY FOR TRADE: THE CHALLENGE AND 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MSMES  
ORGANIZER(S): International Trade Centre and Alliance for eTrade Development  
MODERATOR: James Howe, Senior Adviser, International Trade Centre  
PANELLISTS  
• Bernard Banda, Policy and Research, Zambia Information and Communications 
Technology Authority, Zambia  
• Maria Luisa Boyce, Vice President of International Policy for Global Public Affairs, UPS  
• Barbara Kotschwar, Executive Director, Visa Economic Empowerment Institu te 
• Christopher S . Yoo, John H . Chestnut Professor of Law, Communication, and Computer 
& Information Science Founding Director of the Center for Technology, Innovation and 
Competition, University of Pennsylvania, USA  
 
Short Summary  
370.   The session on improvin g digital connectivity included presentations from government 
officials, academics and private companies in the shipping and payments sectors . Discussions 
focused on the   importance of digitalization for business continuity as well as internationalization  
and access to finance, particularly for women -owned businesses and micro, small and medium -sized 
enterprises (MSMEs) .  
Long Summary  
371.   Uneven access to digitalization continues throughout the world despite its increasing 
recognition as an essential service for people in the modern economy . Especially since the COVID -19 
pandemic where digitalization was critical to business continuity, it 's importance has increased . In 
terms of trade, digital platforms can support upgrading by firms in economies of all levels  of 
development, provide payment systems and provide internationalization opportunities for small 
firms. Although digital access is growing across the world, barriers remain, with particular differences 
in terms of gender, all of which points were addresse d by the presenters in this session .     
372.  Christopher S . Yoo, Director of the Center for Technology, Innovation and Competition at the 
University of Pennsylvania started the discussion . The COVID pandemic forced companies to 
experiment and demonstrated to f irms the need for digital tools to continue their work . These lessons 
will continue going forward, however micro, small and medium -sized enterprises still face barriers 
to basic internet connectivity . From a policy perspective, Mr Yoo underscored that effo rts to increase 
digital access and skills training are needed to improve access to information and financing . Data 
localization and privacy regulations can also impede MSMEs from doing business abroad, meaning 
policymakers should consider the impacts of th ese requirements .     
373.  Barbara Kotschwar, Executive Director of the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute presented 
from the payments perspective and for financing and women -led firms . Digital payments are 
important for women -led businesses given that a third  of women -led firms have started in online 
marketplaces according to surveys from Visa . This trend in participation in online marketplaces is 
hoped to lead to greater gender equity in trade given that part of firms' success in online markets is 
their abili ty to use digital payments and export abroad .      
374.  Maria Luisa Boyce, Vice President of International Policy for Global Public Affairs at UPS, noted 
the need to overcome the knowledge gap for MSMEs to understand how exporting and e -commerce 
work. This kind of training needs to be joint with government s to help formalize MSMEs and also to 
identify those MSMEs that need essential support . UPS has been part of two public -private 
partnerships to support women entrepreneurs to enter international trade, incl uding the ITC She 
Trades Program and an e -trade alliance with USAID and other companies .      
375.  From the policy side, Bernard Banda with the Information and Communications Technology 
Authority of Zambia, described the important role digital technologies have  in generating 
employment opportunities and advancing development . However, "last mile" infrastructure to bring WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  digital access to rural households, combined with gaps in understanding and digital know -how among 
the population remain some of the largest cha llenges . Affordability is another crucial issue . In 
Zambia, MSMEs are a main part of the economy and providing digital connectivity for these firms 
has development implications . Therefore, the Government has focused on GSM coverage and mobile 
phone access to fill in existing gaps as well is to identify and ensure broadband network coverage .    
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 43: PAN AFRICAN TRADE AS AN ENGINE FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND 
PROSPERITY: HOW THE AFCFTA CAN ENHANCE COMPETITIVENESS AND TRADE WITHIN 
REGIONAL VALUE CHAINS  
ORGANIZER(S): Madagascar, Egypt, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  
MODERATOR: Habiba Ben Barka, Chief, Africa Section, Division for Africa, Least Developed 
Countries and Special Programmes, UNCTAD  
PANELLISTS  
Opening Remarks  
• Teresa Moreira, Officer in Charge (alternate), Division on International Trade and 
Commodities, UN CTAD  
 
Speakers    
• Soha Gendi, Ambassador and Assistant Foreign Minister for African Organizations, Egypt  
• Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and 
Southern Africa  
• Treasure Maphanga, COO of AE Trade Group and former D irector of Trade at the African 
Union Commission  
• Birame Sock, Founder and CEO of Kewly, Senegal  
 
Short Summary  
376.   Bringing together stakeholders from the private sector and from regional and continental 
institutions, the session present ed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an engine to 
boost intra -African trade and drive sustainable economic growth in the region . The AfCFTA  offers 
opportunities for private stakeholders to tap into a market of 1 .2 billion people representing a 
combined GDP of USD 3.4 trillion . Therefore, addressing challenges impending trade and 
investments flows is pivotal for African countries to r eap the b enefits of implementing the agreement .  
Long Summary  
377.  Habiba Ben Barka, Chief of the Africa Section within the Division for Africa, Least Developed 
Countries and Special Programmes at UNCTAD, introduced the speaker s and highlighted the 
potential benefits of  the African Continental Free Trade Area for member States. Trading under the 
agreement will drive economic growth and prosperity by promoting diversification, technology and 
innovation, resilience to exogenous shocks and a better inclusion of youth and wo men in the private 
sector . To leverage these potential gains, a synergy between public and private stakeholders as well 
as development agencies is pivotal .      
378.  Teresa Moreira, Officer in Charge for the Division on International Trade and Commodities at 
UNCTAD, opened the session by underscoring the global context of the "quadruple shocks": 
COVID -19 pandemic, climate change, conflicts, and consumer prices surge . In response to these 
crises, the AfCFTA plays a key role in strengthening resilience in Africa b y eliminating trade barriers . 
In addressing Non -Tariffs Barriers (NTB) specifically, the United Nations' Interagency Cluster is 
responsible for coordinating technical cooperation projects in Africa .     
379.  Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Secretary General of the Co mmon Market for Eastern and 
Southern Africa (COMESA) presented COMESA as the champion of economic integration in Africa . 
Since 2000, the COMESA Free Trade Area contributed to increasing production and intra -regional 
trade across 16 African countries . In tackling the proliferation of NTB measures, the COMESA FTA 
boasts trade enabling features such as: simple and predictable Rules of Origins (RoO), NTBs online 
reporting system and a Dispute Settlement Mechanism . The COMESA can serve as a benchmark for 
the AfC FTA as a successful example of economic integration in Africa by duplicating the elements 
contributing to that success .     
380.  Soha Gendi, Ambassador and Assistant Foreign Minister for African Organizations of Egypt, 
emphasized that since its entry into force  in 2019, the negotiations within the AfCFTA have advanced 
at a steady pace , mainly driven by member States' "political will and stamina" . On trade in goods, WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  member States have completed negotiations on RoO and schedules for concession on approximately 
88% tariffs line s. Similarly, on trade in service, the member States identified five priorities which 
are tourism, transport, finance, business transport and communication . The negotiations have 
advanced on issues like competition, investment, e-commerce, and intellectual property rights. At 
last, she highlighted the advances on additional draft protocols including the protocol on youth 
integration and women empowerment . In the context of global crises, the AfCFTA is a response of 
"Africa for Afr ica" to tackle current shocks and build resilience . Taking the example of 
pharmaceuticals, Ambassador Gendi stressed that Africa remains a large unexploited market as only 
20% of African exports goes to intra -continental markets .      
381.  From the private sect or, Birame Sock, Founder and CEO of Kewly Incorporation in Senegal 
deplored the absence of "Made in Africa" products both on local and global markets . Although the 
AfCFTA enabled policies that facilitate digital trade, there is still untapped opportunities  in terms of 
intra-African trade . This include s sectors that have been historically informal such as food industries, 
cosmetics, fashion, and textile s. MSMEs in these sectors face challenges in meeting international 
standards and in accessing raw materials  which are mostly devoted to exportation rather than 
transformed locally . Therefore, the public sector is central in developing national policies and 
measures that address these challenges .     
382.  Treasure Maphanga, CEO of AE Trade Group , highlighted the impo rtance of Public Private 
Partnership (PPP) in the framework of the AfCFTA and in enabling MSMEs, youth and women . To do 
so, she emphasized the need for transparency and inclusivity among public and private stakeholders, 
throughout the negotiation processes . In boosting intra -African trade, challenges remain in terms of 
harmonization of processes at the border and a lack of essential infrastructure . There are 
opportunities for PPP to factor in by mobilizing partnership s to address those gaps . Another challen ge 
which banks and financial institutions need to address is the lack of access to affordable trade finance 
for MSMEs . At last, beyond providing a favourable business environment, governments needed to 
cultivate trust with private sector stakeholders as th ey are bound to "grow and be the giants of 
economy" .     
383.  Ms Kapwepwe then presented the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement (TFTA) comprising 
the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC) and the 
COMESA . It aims to cr eate a harmonized framework, increase transparency, and address the issue 
of multiplicity while strengthening economic integration of the southern and eastern Africa region s. 
Its flagship tool, the NTBs Elimination Mechanism, seeks to harmonize NTBs across  TFTA member 
States and has been adapted to the continental level . In assisting member States to comply with 
the measures engrained in the mechanism, the Tripartite provides Technical Assistance (TA) and 
capacity -building activities .     
384.   Ms Sock pointed o ut the need for strong logistic al and financial infrastructures to support 
MSMEs to better participate in e-commerce . Beyond TA, MSMEs require targeted support to shift 
from the informal to the formal sector and be able to connect to the continental value chain . 
Opportunities l ie in facilitating dialogues in the framework of public private partnerships, so that 
public and private sector stakeholders "can speak the same language" .     
385.  Building on Egypt's potential in becoming a continental hub for vaccine manufacture and 
distribution, Ms Gendi emphasized the AfCFTA's role in facilitating an equitable distribution of 
vaccines in Africa, in the heights of the COVID -19 pandemic . The curren t negotiations on IP rights 
within the AfCFTA aim for an automatic waiver of IP rights for certain goods as well as the 
"localization" of the overall supply chain for vaccines within the continent . At last, the AfCFTA also 
served as a forum where member States align their positions and interests in multilateral 
negotiations within the WTO .     
386.  Ms Maphanga concluded the session by stressing the need for development partners to 
mobilize investments to build value chains . Focusing on targeting strategic areas,  continuous support 
and scaling up of Aid -for-Trade initiatives is necessary, especially in Least Developed Countries .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 44: LDCS, TRADE AND CLIMATE CHANGE: HARNESSING THE OPPORTUNITIES OF 
A NET ZERO WORLD  
ORGANIZER(S): Germany, World Bank Group and Enhanced Integrated Framework  
MODERATOR:  Vicky Chemutai, Economist Trade and Regional Integration, World Bank  
PANELLISTS  
• Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director, Enhanced Integrated Framework  
• Mona Haddad, Director for Trade, Investment and Competitiveness, World Bank Group  
• Dirk Meyer, Director -General , German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and 
Development  
• Jean-Marie Paugam, Deputy Di rector -General, World Trade Organization  
• Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi, Secretary of the National Environment Commission, Royal 
Government of Bhutan  
 
Short Summary  
387.   The session discussed the opportunities, benefits, and challenges at the nexus of trade and 
clima te change for LDCs . It provided insight on how Aid for Trade can build supply -side capacity in 
LDCs and facilitate their green transition to allow them to improve their competitiveness and benefit 
from sustainable trade opportunities . The session also high lighted the importance of involving LDCs 
in the global climate and trade discussion, and strengthening partnerships , including with the private 
sector, which could help leverage additional financing and enable LDCs to harness the opportunities 
of a net zer o world .  
Long Summary  
388.   In her opening remarks, Vicky Chemutai, Economist Trade and Regional Integration, World 
Bank, explained that trade was an integral part of the transition to low carbon models of growth and 
a just climate transition . She noted that L DCs could derive trade benefits from improving their carbon 
competitiveness, yet the scale of support and amount of financing required in the lower income 
context could not be underestimated .      
389.  In his video intervention, Dirk Meyer, Director -General , German Federal Ministry for Economic 
Cooperation and Development, emphasized the urgency of the climate crisis, adding that it was 
important to continue working towards achieving climate neutrality, and to support LDCs to enable 
them to adjust and seize the opportunities of sustainable trade . Referring to the WBG study "The 
Trade and Climate Change Nexus", he noted that while trade can contribute to climate change, it 
was also a central part of the solution . For example, he highlighted that the value of globa l trade in 
green goods was estimated at USD 1 trillion per year and was increasing . He called for the 
operationalization of the MC12 outcome document, which stressed the contribution of the 
multilateral trading system to achieving the SDGs and environmenta l sustainability . Aid for Trade, 
he explained, can help LDCs take advantage of the opportunities and address the challenges of 
environmental standards for market access . He also discussed the Team Europe initiative, through  
which Germany was providing technical assistance to companies in developing countries to help 
them measure their CO2 footprint .     
390.  Mona Haddad, Director for Trade, Investment and Competitiveness, World Bank Group, 
referred to recently launched Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) as one of the main 
components of the WBG's climate change action plan for 2021 -2025, which aimed to deliver record 
levels of climate -related finance to developing countries . She discussed the CCDR for Viet Nam, 
explaining that t he country needed to invest approximately USD 370 billion until 2040 to build a 
climate -resilient and low carbon -economy . Green Aid -for-Trade programmes, she noted, were 
necessary to enhance resilience and better enable developing countries to seize sustai nable trade 
opportunities . She emphasized that Aid for Trade could be channelled towards showcasing the 
benefits of carbon competitiveness for LDC economies; leveraging existing green opportunities for 
example  to develop the renewables and agricultural sec tors; and facilitating trade in environmental 
goods and services .     WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  391.  In his intervention, Jean -Marie Paugam, Deputy Director -General of the WTO, highlighted 
some of the existing vulnerabilities of LDCs in the context of climate change and discussed how tr ade 
responses to climate change could potentially increase the burden . He referred to public and private 
net zero strategies such as corporate social governance, public technical regulations, and carbon 
border adjustment mechanisms, and the significant inf rastructural and compliance costs that these 
strategies could entail . Another challenge, he noted, was related to trends to decarbonize supply 
chains, including in the maritime transportation sector, which may affect LDC exports . He also noted 
that trade r esponses to climate change which did not take account of LDC needs could also 
exacerbate the food security crisis . He underscored the need for appropriate institutional, financial, 
regulatory, and commercial responses, with a view to ensuring that LDCs wer e not left behind as 
trade responses to fight climate change continued to proliferate .      
392.  Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi, Secretary of the National Environment Commission, Royal 
Government of Bhutan, noted that Bhutan's exports were affected by a lack of trade fa cilitation 
infrastructure, non -tariff barriers, high transportation costs and limited institutional capacity, among 
others . He further noted that Bhutan's low carbon intensive and eco -friendly exports could not 
compete with exports from higher carbon inten sity producers in other countries . He expressed 
concerns about the impact of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on LDC trade and 
called for support to help LDCs adapt and meet the relevant requirements . He also called for the 
fulfilment of climate  finance pledges to support mitigation and adaptation, and explained that A id 
for Trade  could help build supply side capacity and support the clean energy transition in LDCs . He 
highlighted the need to engage LDCs in the global climate and trade architectu re to promote 
ownership and minimize the negative impact on those most vulnerable , such as farmers .      
393.  Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director of the EIF, outlined five areas in which the EIF had been 
supporting LDCs to adapt to climate change . He first re ferred to analytical work as part of the 
Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies, which included the environment as a cross -cutting issue and 
provided insight on the interaction between trade and climate change in LDCs .  Second, he explained 
how the EIF proje ct work, including in Mali's gum arabic sector and the shea sector in Africa had 
contributed to mitigation and carbon sequestration respectively . Third, he noted that EIF's trade 
facilitation work in Asia -Pacific to support digitizing trade procedures had facilitated paperless trade 
and reduced CO2 emissions . Fourth, he described how an EIF -supported eWaste strategy in Rwanda 
led to public -private collaboration and the development of an eWaste recycling facility in the country . 
Finally, he discussed EIF eff orts to build greater understanding between the trade and climate change 
areas, through partnerships and research .     
394.  In the discussion segment, Ms Haddad, WBG, noted that developing countries' climate change 
investments could be approached in a holistic manner to ensure balance with other priorities and 
involve the private sector where possible . Ambassador Paugam, WTO, indicated that the WTO had 
started dialogue with standard -setting organizations to explore collaboration and a way forward . 
Mr Wangdi of B hutan discussed Bhutan's efforts to reduce its trade costs, including developments in 
dry port infrastructure, which could help the country benefit from green trade opportunities .     
395.  In closing, Mr Adhikari, EIF, emphasized the power of partnerships . Recognizing the benefits 
of contributions from Members and other organizations, he also considered it important for LDCs to 
work with the private sector . He concluded that A id-for-Trade mechanisms could help leverage other 
types of innovative financing to support LDCs in harnessing the opportunities of a net zero world .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 45: HOW CAN GLOBAL TRADE SUPPORT THE TRANSITION TO AN INCLUSIVE 
CIRCULAR ECONOMY?  
ORGANIZER(S):  Netherlands and Chatham House  
MODERATOR: Jack Barrie, Research Fellow, Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House     
PANELLISTS  
Opening Remarks  
• Nanno  Mulder, Chief, Sustainable Trade Unit, Economic Commission for Latin America and 
the Caribbean  
 
Speakers    
• Kimberley Botwright, Head of Sustainable Trade, World Economic Forum  
• Yasmina Lembachar, Research Analyst, Circle Economy   
• Antoine Oger, Head of programme Global challenges and SDGs at the Institute for European 
Environmental Policy    
 
Closing Remarks   
• Isabelle van Tol, Division Head Trade for Development, The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs  
 
Short Summary  
396.   The session explored how inter national trade can be a means to facilitate sustainable 
transition of all countries , especially the developing countries and LDCs , from linear to circular 
economy . The discussions revealed that while circular trade is a key enabler for the global circular 
economy, several tariff and non -tariff barriers are constraining the progress towards circularity . 
Furthermore, a number of collective action plans at the national, regional and international levels 
were outlined to move towards circulatory . The role of WT O Aid for Trade in advancing the trade 
circular agenda was also recogni zed by the panel .  
Long Summary  
397.   In the opening remarks, Nanno  Mulder, Chief, Sustainable Trade Unit, Economic Commission 
for Latin America and the Caribbean talked about how international trade can facilitate the transition 
to a circular economy in Latin American Countries (LAC) . He then explained trade -related 
opportunities and challenges for the region in circular economy which include , among 
others:  (i) international trade encourages economies of scale providing access to a wide range of 
circularity enabled goods and services as well as investment and technologica l development in 
circularity; (ii)  circular economy generates comparative advantages in certain sectors and offers new 
export opportunities for the region; (iii) one of the Latin American circular economy strategies could 
be to foster local value addition in production chains for material valorisation; (iv) biological cycle of 
circular economy could be of special importance to the region; (v) many regulatory and technical 
issues are impeding the development of circular economy of LAC; and (vi) a number of n on-trade 
trade barriers in the form of national regulations and standards should be tackled to scale up circular 
economy in the region . He also stressed the need for collective and collaborated global response to 
ensure an inclusive and equitable circular economy . Countries in the North are well positioned to 
reap the benefits of this economy . An alternative pathway addressing the circularity trade divide 
should be pursued in which circular trade would serve as an enabler of fair, inclusive and circular 
societies .     
398.  After these opening remarks, Jack Barrie, Research Fellow, Environment and Society 
Programme, Chatham House gave a brief overview of a recently published framework paper titled 
"Trade for an inclusive circular economy: a framework for collectiv e action" and explained the role 
of WTO Aid for Trade in supporting an inclusive circular economy transition . The framework has been 
designed to contribute to realising SDG8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG10 on reduced 
inequalities, SDG12 on respon sible consumption and production and SDG17 on partnerships . It is 
based on principles of transparency and traceability, subsidiarity, non -discrimination and WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  international collaboration . The areas for collective action identified by the framework paper incl ude 
the definitions and classifications, technical barriers to trade, trade facilitation, capacity building, 
and trade and economic cooperation agreements . In terms of the role of WTO Aid for Trade, he 
noted that circularity should be the core pillar in th e pursuit of greening the WTO Aid -for-Trade 
Initiative . Investing in circular trade -related infrastructure and capacity -building related activity 
should be prioriti zed.      
399.  Yasmina Lembachar, Research Analyst, Circle Economy , set out some action plans for  
governments and multilateral bodies to achieve social justice in a global circular economy . In her 
opinion, the current policy approaches regarding circular economy and sustainability fail to address 
global social equity issues and threaten to exacerbate the divide between north and south . Decision 
makers must urgently address imbalances between and within countries . They should identify and 
involve the communities and workers within and across borders who could be affected by the 
transition . The trade gov ernance should ensure that countries take responsibility for their own 
consumption and waste . High-income countries should provide financial support for sustainable and 
circular development . International collaborations and partnerships are vital for knowl edge sharing, 
facilitating dialogue and technology transfer .      
400.  Antoine Oger, Head of programme Global challenges and SDGs at the Institute for European 
Environmental Policy shed light on the EU's new circular economy action plans . The new plans are 
ambitious which put forward several initiatives to facilitate cooperation with trade partners on 
circular economy . For example, it is proposed that the free trade agreements should include 
provisions that reflect the objectives of circular economy . At the multilateral level, the EU would 
champion discussions at the WTO on developing standards for circularity . Assisting the developing 
countries and LDCs in their transition to a circular economy is a priority for Europe . Aid for Trade 
could be an important tool to assist countries facing capacity constraints pertaining to trade 
regulations and infrastructure .      
401.   Kimberley Botwright, Head of Sustainable Trade, World Economic Forum , talked about trade 
related challenges and prospects for circular electronics . A major percentage of global e -waste 
movement is uncontrolled and unregulated . Trade facilitation in e -waste can unlock new 
opportunities for all countries . New trade policy interventions could be further explored to facilitate 
circular electr onics supply chains . She further stressed that the well -governed global circular 
electronics can deliver for both environment and job prospects .        
402.  In conclusion, Isabelle van Tol, Division Head Trade for Development, the Netherlands Ministry 
of Foreig n Affairs , reiterated that international community should act quickly to move towards 
circular economy in light of recent global crises like pandemics and climate change . The concerns 
and needs of global south should be taken into account in ensuring their  sustainable transition to 
circular economy . A global leadership is urgently needed to enable this transition from linear 
economy to circular economy by removing all kinds of technical and regulatory barriers and closing 
circular divides .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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SESSION 46: IMPROVING QUALITY ALONG AGRI -FOOD VALUE CHAINS IN AFRICA FOR 
MARKET ACCESS  
ORGANIZER(S): France and the Standards and Trade Development Facility  
MODERATOR: Anne Chetaille, French Development Agency  
PANELLISTS  
• Mikaël Oliveira Linder, Researcher at Agricultural Research Center for International 
Development  
• Elimane Dramé, CEO of SCPL Deli -Cajou  
• Bimal Kantaria, Chair of Agriculture Sector Network  
• Melvin Spreij, Hea d, Standards and Trade Development Facility Secretariat, WTO  
 
Short Summary  
403.  The session focused on the importance of supporting developing countries to meet safety and 
quality standards along agri -food value chains, to enable producers, processors and expo rters to 
participate in global trade . Speakers highlighted the main challenges and key drivers of standards 
compliance in opening up access to regional and international agri -food markets, while protecting 
the health of consumers, animals and plants . Achie ving this goal requires awareness -raising of good 
practices, public -private partnerships, alignment with international standards and harmonization of 
production rules in the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area, to meet growing consumer demand .  
Long Summ ary 
404.  Melvin Spreij, Head of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) , opened the 
discussion by highlighting the importance of compliance with international standards in agri -food 
value chains, and the role of Aid for Trade in supporting developin g and least developed countries 
to participate more in global trade . The World Trade Organization  Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Agreement balances the right to protect human and animal health with the need to facilitate trade, 
by having SPS measures be based on risk assessments and not be unjustified barriers to trade . WTO 
Members are bound to align their regulations and laws to international standards, such as those of 
Codex Alimentarius for food safety, the World Organization for Animal Health for animal hea lth and 
the International Plant Protection Convention for plant health . This alignment helps reduce trade 
costs, border delays and unnecessary restrictions, while contributing to food security and enhancing 
sustainable economic growth .        
405.  Bimal Kantari a, Chair of the Agriculture Sector Network in Kenya, highlighted the importance 
of meeting SPS standards and investing in agriculture – which accounts for 34% of the country's 
GDP – for sustainable economic growth . The sector employs more than 40% of the p opulation and 
about 70% of the rural population . Kenya exports most of its value -added agricultural goods to 
COMESA countries, signalling strong regional trade with potential for further growth . Reducing 
barriers to regional and international trade will re quire transparency, digitization of trade processes 
and harmonization of SPS measures, with inputs from all stakeholders .       
406.  To improve safety and quality along agri -food value chains in Africa, Mikael Linder, Researcher 
at the French Agricultural Resea rch Centre for International Development (CIRAD), emphasized the 
importance of institutional capacity building for skills development and certification, providing access 
to credit, building trust and encouraging innovative partnerships . He also highlighted the need to 
develop a traceability system for producers and consumers to access quality and market information, 
put in place stronger public management control systems to harmonize production rules between 
different processing units, and implem ent good manufacturing practices to meet international 
standards, to enhance regional and international market access .  
407.  Elimane Dramé, CEO of SCPL Deli -Cajou, discussed the importance of improving safety and 
quality standards along the cashew nut value cha in in Senegal . Initiatives piloted by foreign partners 
include the Cashew Competitiveness Support Programme in Senegal, which contributes to improving 
people's lives along the value chain; the Cashew Enhancement Project Phase 2, implemented by 
Internationa l Relief and Development, and a three -year project funded by the United States WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  Department of Agriculture . In addition, Shelter for Life is developing the Linking Infrastructure, 
Finance and Farms to Cashew programme to improve access to finance .       
408.  In the second round of discussions, Linder focused on the role of geographical indications 
(GIs) in boosting the safety and quality of exports, using the example of the "Madd of Casamance " 
GI project supported by Cirad and AFD . Indeed, this project demonstrate d that GIs can support and 
stimulate collective action to promote innovation and information sharing . They can reinforce a 
culture of quality control and encourage the state to increase the perceived quality and safety of 
products in the markets, especiall y those farthest from the territory of origin . They can encourage 
joint actions to : (i) harmonize production rules ; (ii) study and implement good production practices, 
from harvesting to marketing ; (iii) improve traceability and control ; and (iv) improve c ommunication 
with consumers .       
409.  Dr Kantaria shared how trade -related capacity development can have positive spill -over 
effects on Kenya's food safety situation and domestic market . The ongoing infrastructural build -up 
in the country provides opportuniti es for producers in remote, rural areas to access urban and 
international markets . In addition, intra -African trade supports Kenya 's agricultural production, 
especially the horticulture sector, which accounts for 81% of all crops produced . Mr Spreij added 
that as Africa is a major market, rather than developing regional standards, aligning to existing 
international standards could be a more cost -effective way to gain access to international markets .   
Speaking on the positive spill -over effects of raising s tandards along agri -food value chains in 
Senegal, Mr Dramé noted improvements in food safety and the quality of products on the domestic 
market . These improvements also support the Plan for an Emerging Senegal by 2035, which aims 
to strengthen business com petitiveness to make quality food products available in new markets, 
while protecting consumers . Some of the benefits include safer, standardized conditions along the 
agri-food value chain, from operations to production, storage, transportation and distrib ution. The 
result of increased standards compliance is sustained growth , both of consumers and more 
competitive products on domestic market , as well as fair wages for producers and food independence 
for populations .       
410.  Mr Spreij  concluded the discussion by emphasizing the role of public -private partnerships in 
SPS capacity building to protect countries against pests and diseases, and to ensure food safety . 
There is a sharp difference in the way food safety measures are governed i n developed and 
developing countries . In most developed countries, supply chains are run and managed by large 
companies with an oversight role by the public sector . The private sector bridges infrastructural 
gaps, including by building laboratories . This i s an area being explored by the STDF, for example, in 
working with food control authorities through voluntary third -party assurance programmes, to 
modernize national food control systems, move towards a risk -based regulatory framework and 
make better use o f scarce resources for food inspection . SPS capacity building is the joint 
responsibility of all stakeholders .  
Reporter: WTO-STDF  
 
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  SESSION 47: GREENING AID FOR TRADE: FUTURE PRIORITIES AND PATHWAYS FOR A 
JUST TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABLE TRADE  
ORGANIZER(S): TESS, CUTS, the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the 
United Kingdom  
MODERATORS:  
• Rashid Kaukab, Executive Director, CUTS International Geneva  
• Alice Tipping, Lead, Sustainable Trade and Fisheries Subsidies , IISD  
 
PANELLISTS  
• Chad Blackman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United 
Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva,  TESS 
• Carolyn Deere Birbeck, Director, Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs  
• Usha Dwarka -Canabady, Chair of the Committee on Trade and Development, Ambassador 
and Permanent representative to the UN and WTO, Mauritius  
• Yasmin Ismail, Programme Officer, CUTS Inter national Geneva  
• Simon J Manley, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, United Kingdom, Mission to 
the UN and WTO  
• Muhammad Mujtaba Piracha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent 
Mission of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the WTO  
• Steven Stone,  Deputy Director, Economy Division UN Environment Programme  
 
Short Summary  
411.  As governments and stakeholders work to promote the massive economic transformations 
that sustainability requires, trade and trade policy have a critical role to play . Amidst growi ng 
pressure for increased action on urgent global crises of biodiversity, climate, and pollution, there are 
also calls to  "green " the global economy and trade . To support developing countries in a just 
transition to more sustainable trade, Aid for Trade has a key role to play in ensuring that trade 
serves all three dimensions of sustainable development  — economic, social and environmental .  
412.  The importance of trade -related capacity building and technical assistance on matters of 
sustainability, inclu ding its environmental dimensions, is a recurring theme of discussions at the 
WTO. As WTO Members and stakeholders review progress to date and prepare the Aid -for-Trade 
Work Program for 202 3 onward, this session - co-hosted by The Forum on Trade, Environme nt and 
the SDGs (TESS), in collaboration with IISD, CUTS International Geneva, and the United Kingdom's 
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - focused attention on how best to strengthen A id 
for Trade and cooperation on environmental issues as a ke y pillar of sustainable trade will be critical 
to advancing a green, resilient and inclusive global economy .  
Long Summary  
413.  This session explored how to effectively mainstream environmental considerations across 
Aid-for-Trade programmes, with a focus on sup porting sustainable trade strategies in line with the 
development priorities of developing countries . Discussions also considered how to ensure that 
monitoring systems accurately capture environmental information, as well as ways to link Aid for 
Trade with  wider efforts to finance the shift to a green global economy and a just transition .  
414.  Discussions recalled that, as governments and stakeholders work to promote the massive 
economic transformation that sustainability requires, trade and trade policy have a  critical role to 
play. To support developing countries in the transition to more sustainable trade, Aid for Trade has 
a key role to play in ensuring that trade serves all three dimensions of sustainable 
development  - economic, social and environmental .  
415.  The importance of trade -related capacity building and technical assistance on matters of 
sustainability, including its environmental dimensions, was highlighted . In fact, the issue is a 
recurring theme of discussions in both the WTO 's Committee on Trade and  Environment and its 
Committee on Trade and Development, as well as in the new Member -led environment initiatives at 
the WTO, such as the Dialogue on Plastic Pollution and the Trade and Environmental Sustainability WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  Structured Discussions (TESSD) . It was st ressed that, as WTO Members review progress to date and 
prepare the Aid -for-Trade Work Program from 202 3 onward, ensuring that future work strengthens 
attention to environmental issues as a key pillar of work on sustainable trade will be critical to 
advancing a green, resilient and inclusive global economy .   
416.  Considering ways to move forward on mainstreaming  environmental considerations into Aid 
for Trade in a manner that is just and meaningful for developing countries, discussions identified 
three possible risks: (i) lack of buy -in by aid recipient countries, to be mitigated by involving them 
and building th eir knowledge while creating a clear process for reviewing and adapting aid delivery; 
(ii) to avoid creating additional burden on developing countries, additional financial resources should 
be made available rather than recycling existing aid; and (iii) sh ould access to green Aid for Trade 
require meeting new criteria, adequate capacity building should be provided towards meeting them .  
417.  Reflecting on how Aid -for-Trade projects can help support efforts in developing countries to 
harness the potential of circ ularity, as well as how to ensure environmental information is adequately 
captured in monitoring systems, experiences from UK -funded initiatives were shared . Examples 
showcased included the Kenya Green Energy Challenge Fund, as well as collaboration with U NCTAD 
programmes on plastics pollution . It was also reported that the United Kingdom is committed to 
align its ODA with the goals of the Paris Agreement .  
418.  Exploring possible pathways for a just transition to sustainable trade, recommendations from 
a recent  policy brief co -published by IISD and the Forum on Trade, Environment and the SDGs were 
shared . The brief argued that Aid for Trade should be viewed as a key part of the policy toolkit for 
trade policies that advance sustainable development and respond to  urgent environmental crises . 
Greening Aid for Trade in a way that support s sustainable development requires a nuanced approach 
that pursues simultaneous action through six complementary pathways: (i) mainstream 
environmental goals in Aid -for-Trade plannin g and projects, underpinned by sustainable 
development priorities; (ii) secure new and additional resources for environment -related 
Aid-for-Trade activities prioritized by developing countries; (iii) foster greater coherence between 
Aid for Trade and wider  global policy agendas as well as wider sources of environment -related 
assistance and finance (such as climate finance); (iv) ensure that Aid -for-Trade monitoring systems 
accurately capture and report information about the environmental purpose and impacts  of funded 
projects; (v) integrate trade considerations into existing climate and environment funding initiatives; 
and (vi) explore options for strengthening South –South cooperation on sustainable trade, building 
on existing experiences and expertise . The presentation also emphasize d the importance of ensuring 
developing countries are in the lead on A id-for-Trade priority setting and coordination of donor 
support, as well as the need for boosted Aid for Trade for environmental purposes to be 
complemented by  attention to trade policies and rules that support developing countries to partner 
in and benefit from sustainable trade .  
419.  Finally, panellists reflected on the role international organizations like UNEP could play in 
working with the WTO and Aid -for-Trade  secretariat in achieving a just transition to sustainable 
trade . Some opportunities and advances by the international community were noted, such as the 
recent decision of the United Nations Environment Assembly to start work on an international, legally 
binding treaty to tackle global plastic waste .  
420.  In terms of follow up to the 2022 Aid for Trade Global Review, specific recommendations noted 
by panellists included: (i) agree to an environmental review of A id for Trade; (ii) support country -led 
road maps for sustainable trade, with A id-for-Trade needs assessments; (iii) develop indicators, 
improve monitoring and identify best practices; (iv) convene joint sessions of CTD and CTE on trade, 
environment and sustainable development; (v) foster discussion of A id-for-Trade priorities and 
commitments in  Member -led initiatives on environment and sustainable development at the WTO 
(e.g. TESSD, IDP); (vi) a more holistic approach to Aid for Trade and climate finance, including how 
both types of development finance could be better harnessed to support trade and environmental 
sustainability; and (vii) convene a Summit on Financing a Just Transition to Sustainable Trade in 
2023. Such a summit would provide a much -needed opportunity to promote increased financing for 
the transition to sustainable trade and great er coordination among the many disconnected public 
and private actors engaged in development, trade, climate, and environment finance, debt relief, 
and investment that are critical to achieving a green and inclusive global economy .  
Reporter: Forum on Trad e, Environment and the SDGs  
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  SESSION 48: MEETING THE CHALLENGES: STRENGTHENING THE RESILIENCE OF SUPPLY 
CHAINS  
ORGANIZER(S): Germany  
MODERATOR: Andrea Ulbrich, Senior Policy Officer, Trade Division, German Federal Ministry for 
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)  
PANELLISTS  
Opening Remarks  
• Martin Wimmer, Chief Digital Officer, Head of Department, Transformation of the 
Economy and Digitalization, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and 
Development (BMZ)     
Speakers   
• Simon Heisig, Associate Expert, Department for Market Development, Trade Facilitation 
and Policy for Business, ITC     
• Marion Jansen, Director, Trade and Agriculture Directorate, OECD     
• Jeanne Mubiligi, CEO, Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs Rwanda,  Vice President Private 
Sector Federation  
• Raymond Murenzi, Director -General , Rwanda Standards Board   
 
Short Summary  
421.   This session looked at the challenges posed to supply chains by the multi -fold disruptions 
ongoing in the world today, and discussed the r ole that quality infrastructure and standards can play 
in improving supply chain resilience in developing countries and helping MSMEs situated there to 
integrate into international markets .  
Long Summary  
422.   Martin Wimmer, Chief Digital Officer, Head of Department, Transformation of the Economy 
and Digitalization, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) noted 
the difficulty that developing countries have in coping with temporary crises . Thus empowering them 
to become more re silient was a crucial area of focus for Aid for Trade . The approach to greening Aid 
for Trade added a socio -ecological dimension to supply chain resilience, which encompasses both 
adaptability and sustainability . Climate resilient supply chains could creat e opportunities to enter 
international markets . Developing quality infrastructure supported competitiveness and enabled 
developing countries to contribute to global supply chains .      
423.  Marion Jansen, Director, Trade and Agriculture Directorate, OECD stated  that resilience of 
supply chains was a topic of priority for the OECD . Resilience meaning that one is not affected by a 
shock or can recover easily . In a global context, the problem was the experiencing of many shocks 
of different nature at a high frequen cy. Shocks could be categori zed into global, localised and 
geopolitical . Recovery from global shocks such as COVID -19, and more localised shocks which 
typically impacted agriculture had been aided by openness, flexibility, digitali zation, diversification, 
trust and collaboration . With geopolitical shocks, there was a tendency towards less openness and 
diversification but opportunities for recovery through collaboration existed . Africa was exposed to 
having to choose who to trade with in the face of geopolit ical shocks but had an opportunity to 
diversify its imports and start selling into new markets enabled by quality infrastructure 
collaborations .          
424.   Simon Heisig, Associate Expert, Department for Market Development, Trade Facilitation and 
Policy for Business, ITC said that there were many supply chain challenges encountered by the 
private sector in Africa, but also many ways to improve product delivery and quality . Better 
integration in global supply chains was dependent on meeting international stand ard, and product 
quality was essential for access into international markets . If products were not consistent, they 
would not be integrated into the global value chain for long and be less competitive . Standardi zation 
was an important element to accomplish ing high quality . Companies were either unsure of what was 
required or how to meet the requirements, and also faced challenges with demonstrating that WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  requirements had been met . To this end, the ITC had launched a project in Africa, funded by the 
German Government, "the Alliance for Product Quality", which supported companies to come up 
with food safety standards and quality infrastructure .      
425.  Jeanne Mubiligi, CEO, Chamber of Women Entrepreneur Rwanda, Vice President Private Sector 
Federation explained th at there were many untapped opportunities on the African continent but that 
there was a need to develop regional infrastructure and facilities to aid export, including laboratories, 
warehouses, roads, and other infrastructure . Rwanda also faced challenges with developing its digital 
infrastructure which affected the supply chain . Further, the supply chain interacted with a large 
informal economy, of which many businesses faced challenges in accessing the capital required to 
invest in standards compliance . However, there was a favourable business environment as identified 
by the World Bank ease of doing business report, and public service delivery was improving . Ms 
Mubiligi  also noted that more inclusive trade was a necessity and that the informal sector was 
predominantly comprised of women entrepreneurs . It was therefore important to be intentional in 
trade policies and initiatives to ensure that women were supported in acquiring the digital skills 
essential to accessing opportunities and commercialising thei r products, and that their participation 
grows with the modernisation of the whole value chain .      
426.  Raymond Murenzi, Director -General , Rwanda Standards Board explained that obstacles to 
improving the quality of modern products included product development  challenges, where 
companies lacked the financial and human resources and research and development to fully exploit 
product development opportunities . There were also infrastructure and logistics challenges, and 
SMEs also faced difficulty in accessing fina ncing for standards compliance . In response, the 
Standards Board had embarked on a digitali zation exercise to reduce the time taken to receive 
certifications . In effect, we had seen an overall reduction in the time taken to receive results from 
the lab and receive certification from 28 to 7 days .      
427.  There had also been an effort to improve accreditation services to help making products more 
competitive on international markets, and improve efficiency and consumer confidence . They had 
also invested in e nsuring the availability of standards enquiry points and ensuring that international 
standards were translated and communicated to the businesses they supported . Rwanda was also 
actively participating in standard setting committees internationally and in A frica and working to 
ensure compliance by SMEs, industries and farmers who were seeking organic certification to access 
international markets . They were also positioning farmers to better understand international 
requirements and standards, and in the proc ess of developing an organic certification scheme for 
East Africa in preparation for meeting the EU organic certification scheme requirements .      
428.  In closing, Raymond Murenzi hailed the success of the Alliance for Product Quality project, 
which had suppor ted the geoprocessing sector . That cooperation provided good opportunities to 
access international markets . Moreover, more than 60 companies are piloting compliance with the 
Food Safety Management System (FSMS) under this project and 5 were recently FSMS c ertified . 
Marion Jansen said that it was good to see representatives from developing country Members 
participating in standard -setting bodies and that it was positive for the integration of the continent 
in international supply chains . Jeanne Mubiligi obse rved that there is a need for improving standards 
in the private sector, but that overall movement was in the right direction . She looked forward to 
more companies improving their international standards compliance . Simon Heisig noted that the 
Alliance for  Product Quality was on the path to supporting resilience through standards, and that it 
was a good approach to tackling the challenge of supply chain resilience from multiple angles .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
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  SESSION 49: AFCFTA AND THE FUNDAMENTA LS FOR A NEW DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY FOR 
AFRICA  
ORGANIZER(S): United Nations Development Programme, International Trade Centre  
MODERATOR: Catherine Fiankan -Bokonga, UN Senior Correspondent and VP of the Swiss Press 
Club 
PANELLISTS  
Opening Remarks  
• Salomon Eheth, Coordinator, WTO African Group and Ambassador of Cameroon to the UN, 
WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva     
 
 Keynote Speakers      
• Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, Director -General, World Trade Organization   
• Pamela Coke -Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre  
• Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP    
  
Interactive Dialogue  
• Shiphra Chisha, President , African Women In Business  
• Stephen Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, Economic Commission 
for Africa , UNDP African Influencers for Development       
• Bright Okogu, Chief of Staff, World Trade Organization   
• UNDP African Influencer s for Development  
 
Short Summary  
429.  The COVID -19 pandemic exposed the risk of offshoring production of Africa 's basic needs . 
From vaccines and PPE to wheat and oil, the fundamental risk is the same: Africa 's sustainability 
requires a new development approach that focuses on the "Made in Africa" revolution . The event 
provided a platform to influential leaders on trade in both public and private sector, youth and 
women business representatives to talk about how Africa can create resilient development models 
under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) dispensation, bearing in mind lessons from 
both the war in Ukraine and the COVID -19 pandemic .  
Long Summary  
430.  Salomon Eheth, Coordinator, WTO African Group and Ambassador of Cameroon to the UN, 
WTO and other  International Organizations in Geneva welcomed the audience and introduced the 
session stressing the importance of the topic of the discussion following the decisions taken in favour 
of multilateralism during the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) . The AfCTA offered 
opportunities to African countries to recover from the disruption in trade caused by the compounded 
crises of COVID -19 and the war in Eastern Europe . The African Union had adopted Agenda 2063 
which gave priority to the implementat ion of the AfCFTA to build an integrated, prosperous and 
peaceful continent . Today agriculture development, food security and the transformational needs of 
the continent require action to improve competitiveness and market access . The AfCFTA is a unique 
tool to promote economic growth, trade integration, and sustainable development for Africa .      
431.  Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP, set the 
scene by stressing the need to globalize the voice of Africa in the tra de context . The Covid -19 
pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine have exacerbated fiscal pressures on African countries and, 
while support packages were issued by the IMF, special drawing rights for African countries were 
among the lowest . It was underlined h ow the current global financial architecture needs to be 
reformed to truly accompany developing countries in moments of crisis . Given the further strains 
caused by record high food and fuel prices and inflationary pressures, the AfCFTA came at an 
extremely  timely moment to create the self -reliance and confidence needed to sustain a "Made in 
Africa"  revolution .      
432.  Pamela Coke -Hamilton, Executive Director, ITC, underlined how the AfCFTA signals a global 
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  competitiveness survey of ITC had revealed that 60% of micro and 57% of small businesses were 
negatively affected during the pandemic . The continent also relies on the rest of the world for over 
95% of its medicin al and pharmaceutical imports, and over 80% of its food imports . There was a 
need to translate the AfCTA in concrete business possibilities and regional economic growth . There 
was an incredible trading opportunity to be harnessed: if all African countries fully liberalized tariffs, 
intra-African exports could reach USD  22 billion . This was indicative of the untapped trade potential 
of regional integration .  This promise, however, would not be realized without measures to support 
African MSMEs, and allow the m to take advantage of the preferential market access under the 
agreement .    
433.  Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, Director -General, World Trade Organization focused on the 
importance of inter -agency cooperation to jointly work together to deliver for the continent, as  
opposed to acting in silos . The cooperation among the ITC and UNDP was highlighted as a good 
example of joint efforts . Financing is an area where there is an undeniable gap, and there is the 
need to look at better payment systems that allow improved trade  among nations . WTO would 
continue to support institutions working together for the implementation of the AfCFTA .      
434.  Bright Okogu, Chief of Staff, World Trade Organization, stressed how the COVID -19 economic 
crisis had reversed growth in Africa, and thus  called for urgency to launch the path towards economic 
recovery . He highlighted the importance of a new narrative which emphasized investment as the 
basis for growth, and not aid . There was need to address the structural issues that made investments 
difficult in Africa, such as infrastructure constraints and the regulatory environment, and lack of 
trade finance . Only by addressing these structural issues, and investing more resources in 
infrastructure, the AfCFTA 's objectives could truly materialize and su pport sustainable growth and 
recovery for Africa .      
435.  Following the interventions to set the scene, the floor was given to the African Influencers for 
Development . This was a coalition convened by UNDP which harnesses Africa 's creative, intellectual 
and e ntrepreneurial energy for Africa 's development . It brought together current and future African 
influencers in business, academia and the arts to co -create and co -implement innovative solutions 
which can accelerate Africa 's transformation and support the SD G agenda . The following members 
of the coalition intervened during the meeting bringing their voice on the future opportunities for 
AfCFTA .   
436.  Admassu Tadesse , President of the Trade and Development Bank, an investment grade 
pan-African bank that provides trade finance for African enterprise s and governments , underlined 
the importance of focusing on improving African payment and settlement systems, as it can lea d to 
new pathways in terms of financial connectivity .   
437.  Bethlehem Alemu Tilahun, one of Ethiopia 's most successful manufacturers in the leather 
industry , with Sole Rebels , highlighted the importance of new distribution models though online 
platforms and fo cus on locally produced products that allow access to raw material . This created job 
opportunities, which should be complemented with increasing attention to women economic inclusion 
and the provision to basic services .    
438.  Natalie Jabangwe, Group Digital E xecutive Officer at Sanlam, Africa 's largest insurance and 
non-bank services provider stressed the need to provide solid foundations for industrialization 
through efficient payment systems .   
439.  Jaswinder Bedi, one of Kenya 's most successful industrialists wh ose work in the textiles sector 
has created big opportunities in East Africa , stated that AfCFTA is essential to foster regionalization 
and localization, and thus ease dependency on global value chains with emphasis on value addition .  
440.  Tiguidanke Camara, C EO of Tigui Holdings is leading the way of women in mining in Guinea , 
described how for aid, investment and any kind of business to thrive, there is need for political 
stability as well as good governance . To realize the "Made in Africa " revolution is impo rtant to ensure 
that investments reach the entrepreneurs that can drive the change .   
441.  Edem Adzogenu, Co -chair of AfroChampions, who is working on a new concept of 
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  represented by AfCFTA and argued that much more can be done by breaking silos and fostering 
partnerships and collaboration .   
442.  Kunle Adeyemi, Architect and pioneer in building water cities in Africa , argued that climate 
change impacts in the continent are visible and pose challenges but also opportunities to redevelop 
African cities . His approach to water cities is to develop adaptive nature -based solutions to create 
liveable environments that do not fight water, but learn to live with it .   
443.  Souleymane Diag ne, Director of Ecobank, an African bank present in 33 countries across the 
continent , stressed the importance of supporting women -led businesses to facilitate access to 
markets for trade across the continent , and that AfCFTA provides an opportunity to imp rove capacity 
building through partnerships .     
444.  Shiphra Chisha, President of African Women In Business , described how in Africa trade is 
largely propagated through informal cross -border trade, predominantly carried by women, and 
highlighted three opportun ities that could move Africa to greater economic prosperity: (i) enabling 
the inclusion of informal cross -border traders to the continent's formal economic matrix; 
(ii) alleviating poverty in the informal trade sector through wealth creation programs; and 
(iii) building and growing the African economy through facilitation of services for remittances and 
logistics to move goods and services across borders .      
445.  Stephen Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, Economic Commiss ion for 
Africa , described how Africa trade grew by 6% since the launch of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative 
17 years ago . Based on the success of certain initiatives and the new needs, the priorities to enable 
the implementation of the AfCFTA included: (i) incr easing trade facilitation; (ii) fostering 
diversification and increasing productive capacity; (iii) responding to finance needs by increasing the 
capitalization of regional and development banks: (iv) investing in digitalization; and (v) promoting 
the adop tion of standards . On the latter, it was mentioned the initiative to strengthen the certification 
capacity of BDI to provide certification services to other African countries .     
446.  Ahunna Eziakonwa concluded the session recognizing that the challenges and o pportunities 
for Africa are now much beyond trade . Different points were touched upon during the interventions 
among which financing, manufacturing, infrastructure, and climate change . For all of these different 
components to work, all stakeholders needed to contribute equally .   
447.  Collaboration and partnerships have to be at the cente r. In particular, the knowledge of the 
market developed by the private sector can now be used to help the poor achieve wealth . Across 
the development community, the narrative sh ould not be any more about managing poverty, but 
about sustaining long -term wealth to leave no one behind . The raison d 'être was inclusive 
development, and AfCFTA had a powerful resonance in terms of achieving sustainability and 
inclusivity for Africa .  
Reporter: UNDP  
 
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  SESSION 50: TOWARDS GREATER SYNERGIES BETWEEN AID FOR TRADE & CLIMATE 
FINANCE FRAMEWORKS FOR INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT  
ORGANIZER(S): FIJI and CUTS International  
PANELLISTS  
• Simon Hess, Head, Monitoring and Evaluation, EIF Executive Secretariat  
• Rashid S . Kaukab, Executive Director, CUTS International, Geneva   
• Mere Falemaka, of the Permanent delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum in Geneva  
• Leslie Sajous, former Programme Officer CUTS International Geneva and currently Trade 
and Environment Consultant at ITC  
• Mika Vehnämäki, Senior Advisor for Development Policy, MFA Finland  
• George Wamukoya, Team Leader at the African Group of Negotiator Experts Support  
 
Short Sum mary  
448.  This session shed light on the climate finance and Aid -for-Trade processes, and how the trade 
and climate communities could become more mutually supportive . In particular, discussions shared 
perspectives towards greater synergies between Aid for Trade  and climate finance for inclusive and 
sustainable development of developing and least developed countries . While Aid for Trade is an 
important means to build their trade -related capacity building needs, these countries are the worst 
affected by climate change and have limited means to adapt and mitigate .  
Long Summary  
449.  Rashid S . Kaubab, Executive Director at CUTS International Geneva, recalled that Aid for Trade 
could play a key role in supporting inclusive and sustainable development, especially for developing 
countries . He also stressed the importance of bringing together the trade and climate communities, 
as well as exploiting similarities and synergies . In this regard, valuable work to build upon has been 
undertaken by various institutions and experts (e .g. recently published "Greening the World Trade 
Organization ", by Prof . Raymond Saner) . The publication went beyond "old WTO doctrine " keeping 
in mind that climate change needed more radical solutions within the WTO regulatory framework as 
well as some further improvements for the developing and least  developed countries .  
Turning Aid for Trade Green?  
450.  Discussions started with an exploration of the concept of Aid for Trade and how it connected 
with climate finance . According to Simon Hess, Head of  Monitoring and Evaluation at the EIF 
Executive Secretariat, Aid for Trade is already not acting in full isolation . In fact, synergies existed 
with sectors such as agriculture, and some Aid -for-Trade initiatives had integrated environmental 
elements . Most are however not yet connecting directly with key international climate change 
mechanisms in place . Although 93% of least  developed countries had mainstreamed environment in 
their development objectives, Aid -for-Trade projects targeting environmental goals remained 
limited .  
451.  The EIF 's work nevertheless found that trade diagnostics had increasingly incorporated a 
climate change element, with notable "win-win" projects in areas such as investing into 
carbon -sequestration, engaging women and youth in digitali zation, etc. LDCs could gain better 
access to climate finance by aligning their trade and climate policies, for which they need to be 
supported with knowledge and access to resources .  
Are Developing Countries Accessing Climate Finance?  
452.  Sharing exp eriences from developing countries ' access to climate finance, George Wamukoya, 
Team Leader at the African Group of Negotiator Experts Support, emphasi zed that although 
USD 100 billion per year had been pledged at COP15, this had tended to be diverted from  existing 
official development assistance . In this context, and given developing countries ' needs, the level of 
and ease of access to financial assistance remains insufficient, particularly when it comes to funding 
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  453.  On modali ties of access, he warned that countries with less institutional capacit y were 
struggling to design proposals in line with the requirements of existing mechanisms . Increasing 
capacity and knowledge of local agencies and experts should be made a priority, f or developing 
countries to better take advantage of existing funding opportunities . In addition, collaboration 
remains key to ensure greater coherence between the trade and climate change agendas .  
454.  Mere Falemaka, of the Permanent delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum in Geneva, stressed 
that small developing countries were especially vulnerable to external shocks, including climate 
ones. In fact, the three most vulnerable countries are in the Pacific . Yet, Pacific states have very 
limited access to climat e finance .  
455.  She recalled that the Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy 2020 -2025 focused on five strategic 
priorities, achieving which is being challenged by lack of funding and some projects not being 
implemented as a result . According to her, there are opportu nities for better synergies between Aid 
for Trade and climate finance, for instance by investing in projects such as quality infrastructure 
(encouraging sustainable standards) or investing in e -commerce . Ambassador Falemaka also 
suggested that Aid for Trad e could be used to support the transition towards greener trade and 
participate in climate resilience .  
A Donors ' Perspective: Finland  
456.  Mika Vehnämäki, Senior Advisor for Development Policy, MFA Finland, advocated for ambitious 
policies leveraging the role of businesses in tackling climate change, including through ODA and Aid 
for Trade . He informed that climate change was a cross -cutting objective in the Finnish development 
cooperation policy . He also recalled that Finland funded existing multilateral organ izations such as 
the EBRD and the International Finance Cooperation with long -term loans, with 78% of these funds 
being climate finance .  
Towards a Holistic Approach to Capacity Building  
457.  Presenting a recent paper by CUTS International Geneva on "Climate Finance and Aid for 
Trade: Towards a Holistic Approach to Capacity Building ", Leslie Sajous, Trade and Environment 
Consultant at ITC, stressed the importance of implementing the OECD 's five  principles on aid 
effectiveness: ownership, alignment, harmoni zation, managing for results and mutual 
accountability . This would ensure sustainable, fair and coherent use of funds .  
458.  The importance of aligning national trade policies with environmental goals was also 
underscored, while noting that challenges exist in building such synergies . In particular, she stressed 
that environmental conditionalities for developing countries ' assistance should remain limited, and 
that any green Aid-for-Trade funding should be additional rather than redirected . Also, top -down 
and paternalistic approaches should be avoided to promote ownership from recipients . Importantly, 
processes and mechanisms for accessing such funds should be simple and user -friendly .  
Key Takeaways  
459.  Wrapping up the session, the moderator provided a few takeaways from today 's discussion . 
These included: (i) given the magnitude of needs, substantially more resources are needed; 
(ii) accessibility remains a challenge, and capacity -buildi ng is an urgent need for developing 
countries; (iii) Aid for Trade had already been incorporating environmental dimensions into its work, 
but more could be done for climate finance to take into account trade -related concerns; and (iv) a 
holistic approach w ould need to be taken at both the national and the multilateral level through 
enhanced partnerships, more and targeted resources, and building bridges between Aid for Trade 
and climate finance .  
Reporter: CUTS  
 
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  SESSION 51: ACCELERATING PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGS THROUGH AID FOR TRADE  
ORGANIZER(S): Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development  
MODERATOR: Olivier Cattaneo, Head of Policy Analysis and Strategy Unit, Development 
Co-operation Directorate, OECD  
PANELLISTS  
Opening Remarks   
• Marion Jansen, Director, Trade and Agriculture Directorate  
• Shishir Priyadarshi, Director, Development Division, WTO   
Speakers   
• Sarah Dekkiche, Director of Policy and Partnerships, International Cocoa Initiative  
• Bernard Hoekman, Profess or and Director, Global Economics at the Robert Schuman 
Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute in Florence, Italy  
• Ana Lizano, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the WTO  
• Richard Samans, Director of Research, ILO   
• Paz Velasco Velasquez, Head of Sector Investment Climate and Trade, European 
Commission   
 
Short Summary  
460.   The session focused on  the crucial role of Aid  for Trade in advancing the achievement of the 
SDGs . The multiplicity of current crises highlighted the need for Aid for Trade to address the 
deepening of the SDGs financing gap, the importance of better aligning Aid for Trade with the SDGs 
and a more targeted support towards the strengthening of national po licies and institutions in 
developing countries and LDCs .  
Long Summary  
461.   Shishir Priyadarshi, Director of Development Division at the WTO Secretariat, opened the 
meeting underlining the current challenges Aid for Trade sought to address: a widening financi ng 
gap for SDGs, the broad and intricate dimension of the SDGs making it challenging to identify a 
specific area of focus for A id for  Trade and the mounting concerns from both A id-for-Trade donors 
and recipients . Hence, multi -stakeholder synergies were cen tral for Aid for Trade to be better 
targeted and yield positive results for those who need it the most . The issues being negotiated then 
within the WTO, reflected in the latest MC12 outcomes, gave a hint on where Aid for Trade needed 
to be targeted . Moving  forward, Aid -for-Trade paradigm needed to shift from purely Aid for Trade to 
investment for trade and needed to leverage private sector to finance trade .     
462.  Marion Jansen, Director of Trade and Agriculture Directorate at the OECD , emphasized that 
success ive global shocks had slowed down progress towards achieving the SDGs by 2030 . Referring 
to the alarming global economic situation, Ms Jansen opined that "the cake was getting smaller" and 
Aid for Trade contributed to sustainable economic growth and ensure d that the "cake continued to 
exist" . In response to the COVID -19 crisis, Aid for Trade had been instrumental to support recipient 
countries adapt to the structural changes caused by the pandemic . For instance, Aid -for-Trade 
disbursements to digitalization  had increased by 32%, since 2018 . Ms Jansen emphasized the need 
for more sustainable agricultural productions to achieve SDG 2 on Zero Hunger, with a pre -requisite 
of increasing agricultural productions by three times of over the coming decade . MSMEs faced 
multiples challenges impending their integration into supply chains, thus multi -stakeholders' 
initiatives were crucial in strengthening the private sector to ensure that gains from trade were 
equally distributed across the most vulnerable, in line wi th SDG 1 on No Poverty and SDG 10 on 
Reduced Inequalities .      
463.  Ana Lizano, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the WTO, presented Costa 
Rica as a benchmark in terms of economic growth and environment sustainability . On the latter, 
Costa R ica recognized the role of trade and trade policies to address environmental concerns . 
Ms Lizano highlighted that Costa Rica had leveraged its competitive advantage to attract foreign 
direct investments . The country developed bilateral, regional, and tappe d into South -South WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  cooperation as well as Public Private Partnership to address sustainability issues . Referring to its 
sustainable coffee value chain, for Costa Rica, beyond the purely trade -related technical assistance 
and capacity building, Aid for Trad e should seek to further assist developing countries to transition 
to a greener and circular economy .      
464.  Sarah Dekkiche, Director of Policy and Partnerships for the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) , 
developed on sustainable cocoa supply chains . She h ighlighted that global demand for Cocoa 
increased by three times more than population growth and was expected to grow by 20% more in 
the next decade . Currently the sector faced issues such as plant diseases, climate change, 
deforestation, and child labour . The ICI's work aims to ensure fair, responsible, and sustainable 
cocoa trade by addressing child labour and forced labour . Along with industry -driven efforts, the ICI 
contributed to a 30% reduction of child labour and 50% decrease of hazardous child labou r. At last, 
a coordinated approach among multiple stakeholders in cocoa producing countries as well as in cocoa 
consuming countries was crucial to achieving a sustainable cocoa value chain .       
465.  From a donor count ry's perspective, Paz Velasco Velasquez, H ead of Sector Investment 
Climate and Trade of the European Commission stated that the European Union's A id-for-Trade 
strategies aimed to be impactful beyond trade and economic growth . Sustainability laid at the heart 
of the EU's strategies, referring to th e European Green Deal which aimed to reduce Green House 
Gas emission s to address the triple -threats of climate change, bio -diversity loss, and food insecurity . 
In line with SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, the EU had also initiated a Decent Work 
agenda in which governments leverage PPP to engage the private sector in adopting responsible 
business conducts . At last, Aid for Trade ought to address environmental concerns while supporting 
MSMEs, youth and women integration into supply chains .     
466.  Richa rd Samans, Director of Research at the International Labour Organization (ILO) , stressed 
that in terms of A id for Trade, the ILO advocates for a human -centred recovery approach . In line 
with SDG 10, the approach considers not only economic gains , but also inequality reduction across 
economies . Mr Samans stressed that the Marrakesh Agreement's first article reference trade as "a 
mean not an end" accentuating its role in raising standards of living . To do so, Aid for Trade should 
seek to support rec ipient countries to build enabling and strong institutions . An example of ILO's 
initiatives in line with SDG 8 is its Trade for Decent Work project which aimed to enhance skills of 
the work force in developing countries to develop institutional capacity .     
467.  Bernard Hoekman, Professor and Director for the Global Economics at the Robert Schuman 
Centre for Advanced Studies of the European University Institute in Florence concluded the 
discussion by underlining the need for the current scattered pattern of A id for Trade to be more 
focused . According to Professor Hoekman, the latest OECD -WTO joint reports highlight a divergence 
between donor and recipient countries' A id-for-Trade priorities . His studies' key findings suggested 
that Aid for Trade would be more ef ficient if targeted on SDGs with a focus on trade in services . 
More specifically, a greater focus on data -driven policy formulation and implementation that would 
create an enabling business environment . At last, Aid for Trade should factor in assisting dev eloping 
countries to connect policies and investments to supply chains .  
Reporter: WTO 
 
 
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  SESSION 5 2: IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF GENDER PROVISIONS IN FTAS: AN EMPIRICAL 
LOOK AT THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE  
ORGANIZER(S): Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, World Trade Organization  
PANELLISTS  
• Amrita Bahri, WTO Chair, Mexico, ITAM 
• Nadira Bayat, Economic Affairs Officer: Trade, Gender and Development Programme, 
UNCTAD  
• Lolita Laperle -Forget, Trade and Gender Officer, WTO  
• Daniel Ndlela, Trade expert of the RECs in Africa, Managing Director, Zimconsult  
• Anoush der Boghossian, Head of Trade and Gender Unit, WTO  
 
Short Summary  
468.   Gender provisions in regional trade agreements have gained interest in the past few years . 
An increa sing number of RTAs include provisions that explicitly promote gender equality or support 
women's empowerment . The session aimed to shed light on the concrete impact of these provisions 
on women . There were challenges in assessing the contribution of gende r provisions to gender 
equality and the participation of women in the economy . Still, some evidence showed that there 
could be a positive correlation between the implementation of gender provisions and the increase in 
women's participation in politics and decision -making roles in Africa .  
Long Summary  
469.  The session focused on the commitments for increasing women's access to decision -making 
roles made in African regional trade agreements . More specifically, it focused on the East African 
Community Treaty, which included two provisions supporting women in politics and policymaking at 
the community level .  
470.  A keynote speaker, Daniel Ndlela, a Regional Economic Community (REC) expert in Africa, 
explained the rationale behind negotiating gender clauses i n the RECs establishing treaties . He 
highlighted the key role played by women in the decolonisation and integration process, as well as 
powerful economic and social agents . These provisions, therefore, aimed at acknowledging the 
contribution of women in al l spheres of life and further supported their participation in 
decision -making .  
471.  Amrita Bahri explained provisions 9 and 50 of the East African Community (EAC) Treaty, which 
both promoted the participation of women in the Community at the decision level . First, Article 9 
stipulated that staff and composition of the organs and institutions of the Community shall be gender 
balanced . The expert highlighted the use of binding language in the provision, which increased the 
degree of compulsion, as well as the co mmitment to address a specific gender issue . Second, 
Article  50 provided that each member "shall" elect nine people that will represent different groups 
of the population and gender at the Assembly Legislative .  
472.  Lolita Laperle -Forget explained the nature o f women 's participation in politics and 
decision -making roles in Africa . She highlighted some figures . For example, in the private sector, 
39% of the senior management in Africa is women . Women also hold 24,3% of the African company 
board seats, and 24% of  the board chair are held by women . However, only 5% of women are in 
CEO positions in Africa, which is slightly higher than in Asia, Europe, and Latin America . Women 
occupy about 24 % of parliamentary seats in the public sector, significantly close to the g lobal 
average (32 .4% in East Africa, including 61% in Rwanda) . The six members of the East African 
Community have a high percentage of women in ministerial positions (Rwanda ranked 6th globally 
with 54,8%, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan all have be tween 30% to 37% of women 
ministers, and Tanzania has  18,2%) .  
473.  The expert also demonstrated that articles 9 and 50 of the EAC treaty have been implemented 
since its entry into force . Indeed, a review of the current and previous composition of the Assembly 
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  was composed of 26% of women, the second of 33% of women, the third of 40% of women and the  
fourth and current, 41% of women .  
474.  Anoush der Boghossian highlighted how various gender issues affect ed women's ability to take 
advantage of trade liberali zation and benefit from trade agreements . She explained the importance 
of collaborative work between  organi zations and stakeholders and the value of sharing different 
perspectives to address gender issues in the most comprehensive way . She discussed the WTO's 
role in supporting gender equality through trade . Notably, she mentioned the WTO database on 
gender provisions in RTAs that provides access to Members and other stakeholders to the information 
about how gender issues are addressed in RTAs . She also discussed the role of the Informal Working 
Group on trade and gender created in 2020, which provides a venue for the 125 Members who are 
part of this initiative to share experience and information to build their capacity in the area of gender -
disaggregated data, gender impact assessment and monitoring activities . Lastly, she mentioned the 
Gender Research Hu b was created to foster research initiatives on trade and gender, better 
understand the nexus between trade and women's economic empowerment and  increase the 
visibility of this research work to further support Members and, by extension, policymakers .  
Repo rter: WTO  
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  SESSION 53: CLOSING PLENARY  
ORGANIZER(S): World Trade Organization  
CHAIRPERSON: Usha Dwarka -Canabady, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Mauritius to 
the World Trade Organization and United Nations Office at Geneva  
Short Summary  
475.   The closing session provided an opportunity for Members and Observers to provide concluding 
remarks on the Global Review . The opening remarks were delivered by the CTD Chair and 
DDG Zhang . The following Members and Observers provided stateme nts during the session (in 
chronological order): Norway, India, Australia, European Union, United Kingdom, Korea, Germany, 
Nepal, OECD, Côte d'Ivoire and the United States .  
Long Summary  
476.  In her opening remarks, Usha Dwarka -Canabady of Mauritius, Chair of t he CTD, observed that 
discussions during the Global Review reveal ed that trade remains a central development priority . 
This was also a central insight from the monitoring and evaluation exercise . The Chair highlighted 
the considerable interest in recasting  Aid for Trade towards "invest to trade" . This interest is driven 
by concern that the scale of the challenges that we face surpasses what aid alone can do . The Chair 
revealed that climate change was a topic that received substantial interest during the Glo bal Review . 
Discussions indicate that there is a need for greater alignment of the Aid-for-Trade Initiative with 
the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular those related to the climate .  
477.  Xiangcheng Zhang, Deputy Director -General  of the WTO, noted that the Global Review 
comprehensively mapped the current polycrisis, and outlined the role of Aid for Trade in addressing 
these pressing challenges . The Review highlighted the importance of digital connectivity for 
economic resilience, especially during the COVID -19 pandemic . Discussions furthermore revealed 
an urgent need to adapt to and mitigate climate change . Most developing countries and donors also 
indicated women 's economic empowerment  as a priority in development strategies . Refining the 
mechanics of crowding in private finance, with an "invest to trade" perspective, may help harness 
financial flows towards these objectives in developing countries and LDCs .  
478.  The representative of Norway suggested that the broad representation pres ent at the Global 
Review demonstrates that WTO is not alone . The three themes of the Global Review were pertinent 
in the current development context . Empowerment was critical for equitable development and 
ensuring efficient labour use . Digital connectivity  was a prerequisite for inclusive jobs and trade in a 
modern economy . Sustainability was a critical goal for survivability . Moving forward, the WTO should 
build partnerships with international organizations to ensure synergies in different areas of experti se.  
479.  The representative of India shared some of India's experiences in addressing critical issues 
discussed during the Global Review . India has achieved a target of generating 40% of energy 
capacity from renewable sources, nine years ahead of schedule . India has secured food security for 
810 million people through flagship public stockholding programmes . India has also made great 
strides in digital connectivity with rural localities now wielding 20% more internet users than urban 
areas . Finally, India's int ernational development assistance, valued at USD 10 billion, was visible in 
sectors such as drinking water, sugar and textile factories, technology parks and railways 
infrastructure .  
480.  The representative of Australia indicated that the discussions during th e Global Review reveal 
that sustainable development was critical to overcome a global polycrisis . It was thus crucial that 
developing countries and LDCs are provided necessary financial and capacity -building support to 
ensure greener and more equitable tra de. The representative also called for greater private sector 
involvement to scale green investments . This will also help developing countries and LDCs access 
finance and digital skills to enable a sustainable development transition .   
481.  The representative o f the European Union observed that in 2020, 50% of EU Aid for Trade 
was classified as green . The Global Review's emphasis on environmental sustainability was thus well 
received by European member States, many of whom organized sessions on this topic . The WT/COMTD/AFT/W/93  
 
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  representative observed that the EU's "Global Gateway" Strategy, which wishes to harness private 
sector support, mirrors the proposal to reorient Aid for Trade towards investments .  
482.  The representative of the United Kingdom stated that the Global Review high lighted the 
urgency of global issues, and trade's vital role as part of any solution . The UK co -hosted four 
sessions, focusing on themes such as women's economic empowerment, plastic pollution, clean 
cooking, and the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States . Moving forward, the 
representative expected sustainability and climate to develop as key Aid -for-Trade issues .  
483.  The representative of Korea welcomed the launch of the reports on Aid for Trade during the 
Global Review . These reports were vital to inform discussions and motivate action through peer 
pressure created by data comparisons . The representa tive highlighted the potential role that WTO 
Chairs could play in the Aid-for-Trade Initiative . Chairs could help harness aid flows by providing 
intellectual support that facilitates discussions . The representative also pointed to the urgent need 
to channe l Aid for Trade towards climate goals .  
484.  The representative of Germany noted that the Global Review provided an opportunity to 
discuss how trade can play a role in helping sustainability and social inclusion . Trade can amplify 
labour generation, improve wom en's economic empowerment and aid climate change . Moving 
forward, trade also needs to help accelerate digitalization . More than 2 billion people still remain 
offline. Enhancing digitalization can help social inclusion and further integration into global va lue 
chains .  
485.  The representative of Nepal observed that it was essential to ensure that Aid for Trade remains 
responsive to the dynamic nature of trade and development priorities . The scope of Aid for Trade 
should therefore be enhanced to tackle emerging is sues such as climate change, digitalization, and 
pandemic recovery . Furthermore, expanding Aid for Trade, and prioritizing focused investment, will 
help to enhance the trading capacity of developing countries and LDCs .  
486.  The representative of the OECD recal led the long -standing partnership between the WTO and 
the OECD on development issues . Most Aid-for-Trade donors were part of the OECD's Development 
Assistance Committee (DAC), which seeks to coordinate aid to improve effectiveness . Collaborations 
between t he WTO's CTD and the OECD's DAC therefore ensures that Aid for Trade is well -targeted .  
487.  The representative of Cote d'Ivoire noted that the Global Review presented many interesting 
takes on sustainability and digital connectivity, two key national objectives . The Review also provided 
a pedestal to learn more about the multitude of crises currently faced . Cote d'Ivoire supported the 
recasting of Aid for Trade towards investments and looked forward to discussions in this regard .  
488.  The representative of  the United States suggested that the Global Review provided important 
examples of how Aid for Trade helps build trade competitiveness, leverage digital trade, target 
sustainable development and promote women 's economic empowerment . The United States activ ely 
participated in the Global Review by organizing several sessions that highlighted its initiatives . The 
United States was the largest single -country provider of trade capacity -building assistance, with 
development projects worth USD 6 billion provided t o 110 countries . Moving forward, the 
United  States' partnership with developing countries and LDCs would  help harness self -reliance, 
enhance trade competitiveness and endure greater ownership in their development journey .  
Reporter:  WTO 
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