China commits USD 1.1 million to support WTO accession, LDCs and technical assistance In two separate contributions, the government of China has pledged USD 1.1 million (close to CHF 900,000) for 2026 to support the WTO's Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) and Accessions Programme (also known as the China Programme) as well as the general fund that supports WTO technical assistance.

China commits USD 1.1 million to support WTO accession, LDCs and technical assistance #WTOaccessions #LDC

China Round Table looks at benefits of WTO accession, experience of African countries The 14th China Round Table on WTO Accessions, held on 25 March on the margins of the 14th Ministerial Conference, highlighted the role of WTO accession in fostering domestic reform, economic integration and development, looking particularly at the experience of African countries. At the opening, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: The fact that so many economies continue to pursue WTO accession, even today, sends a clear signal that international cooperation remains essential, that multilateral rules continue to matter, and that the WTO provides the foundation for rules-based trade.

China Round Table looks at benefits of WTO accession, experience of African countries #WTOaccessions

Uzbekistan commits to maintaining At a meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan on 9 March, the head of Uzbekistan's delegation, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, said his country is committed to bringing Uzbekistan's accession process to a successful conclusion this year. Thanking members for supporting Uzbekistan's accession during a very busy period, he reaffirmed the country's commitment to engage constructively with all Working Party members. Uzbekistan stands ready to address any remaining issues in a spirit of partnership and mutual understanding, he added.

Uzbekistan commits to maintaining "strong momentum" to accede to WTO in 2026 #WTOaccessions

Geneva Peace Week event spotlights role of trade in promoting dialogue, peacebuilding The WTO and Interpeace held an event on 16 October bringing together representatives from Liberia, Mozambique and Oman to discuss how trade, when shaped by inclusive policies and dialogue, can strengthen peacebuilding, foster resilience and promote cooperation in fragile and conflict-affected states. The session, titled <em></em>Anchoring Peace in Trade: Member-Driven Pathways for Economic Cooperation and Stability<em></em>, took place at the WTO during the 2025 Geneva Peace Week.

Geneva Peace Week event spotlights role of trade in promoting dialogue, peacebuilding #WTOaccessions

Ethiopia’s WTO accession process enters decisive phase Speaking at the sixth meeting of the Working Party on Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO on 26 September, Ethiopia’s Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and Chief Trade Negotiator, Kassahun Gofe Balami, said that Ethiopia’s accession “has entered a decisive phase”. He also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to meeting the requirements for Ethiopia to join the WTO at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 2026.

Ethiopia’s WTO accession process enters decisive phase #WTOaccessions

Speech - DDG Alan Wolff - DDG Wolff suggests members look at accessions as source of inspiration for WTO reform Is there scope for members to look at the experience of WTO accessions for additional inspiration in the ongoing WTO reform debate, asked Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff at a meeting of the Informal Group of Acceding Governments on 25 April. Governments that have joined the WTO since 1995 and observer governments currently seeking WTO membership are “key stakeholders in the ongoing debate and have a voice that should be heard,” he underlined. This is what he said.

Speech - DDG Alan Wolff - DDG Wolff suggests members look at accessions as source of inspiration for WTO reform #GlobalTrade #WTOaccessions

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Belarus sets out ambitious target of WTO accession by next Ministerial Conference Belarus stressed its strong commitment to conclude WTO accession negotiations by the 12th Ministerial Conference, which will take place in June 2020 in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the 11th meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Belarus on 15 February, members commended Belarus’ efforts to bring its trade regime in conformity with WTO rules but underlined that significant progress will be needed if such an ambitious target is to be met. The meeting was the fourth since the resumption of the Working Party process in January 2017.

#Belarus sets out ambitious target of WTO accession by next Ministerial Conference #WTOaccessions

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Djibouti hosts Second Regional Dialogue on WTO Accessions for the Greater Horn of Africa The Government of the Republic of Djibouti is hosting the Second Regional Dialogue on WTO Accessions for the Greater Horn of Africa under the theme “Trade for Peace through WTO Accessions”. The dialogue mainly focuses on how accession to the WTO can foster and sustain peace in fragile and conflict-afflicted countries and offers a platform for acceding governments to engage in experience sharing. The dialogue will run from 3 to 6 December and is co-organized with the International Trade Centre (ITC).

Djibouti hosts Second Regional Dialogue on WTO Accessions for the Greater Horn of #Africa. #WTOaccessions

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