From the WTO: Goods Council addresses high number of trade concerns, notification issues, LDC graduation
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Excerpt: "Proposal on graduated LDCs
Trade
From the WTO: Two programmes for interns from developing countries, LDCs get underway at WTO
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WTO news article
From the WTO: WTO members explore ways of boosting LDCs’ participation in global supply chains
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21 February 2023. From the WTO: Increasing the participation of least-developed countries (LDCs) in global supply chains was the focus of an experience-sharing session on 20 February bringing together WTO members and business representatives from LDCs. The event was organized under the aegis of the Sub-Committee on LDCs. WTO members welcomed the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme which is expected to enter into force later this year.
From the WTO: WTO members look at how trade can help LDCs recover from COVID-19
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"WTO members noted the sharp decline in least-developed countries’ (LDCs) participation in world trade since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at a meeting of the Sub-Committee on LDCs on 16 February. The chair, Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi (Finland), underlined the need for the international community to work together to promote trade opportunities in LDCs." More at
From the WTO: Lao PDR joins information technology agreements
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The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has become a new participant of both the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and ITA Expansion (ITA II), making it the first least developed country to join these agreements. More .
Aligning climate and trade policy for LDCs and graduates
Graduation from “Less Developed Country” status marks huge economic and social progress, but risks can arise after the loss of international support measures. To deliver the SDGs and halve greenhouse gas emissions, climate and trade policy need to align in a way that works for the poorest.
The LDC Group and the Alliance of Small Island States formed an influential and ambitious bloc in the 缅北禁地climate negotiations. However, LDC trade and climate policy communities need to engage in a structured way to support transitional measures.
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Webinar: Global Value Chains for Least Developed Countries – A Proposal to the WTO
This webinar, organized by the Duke Center for International and Global Studies, discussed “Global Value Chains for Least Developed Countries” (GVCs for LDCs), a recent initiative aimed at supporting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in their efforts to achieve sustainable development." More information .
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Review of the EUs GSP regulation
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5 November 2021. The European Commission published its proposal for a new Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) from 2024. The regulation needs to be endorsed by the Parliament and the council through the ordinary legislative procedure. More information . Some of the proposed changes may be relevant for LDCs, particularly graduating LDCs, such as proposed changes in the criteria for eligibility of GSP+.
Securing climate compatible trade for the most vulnerable countries
Watch the recording here:
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Aligning climate and trade strategies in LDCs
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