HighlightTrade policy is becoming more interventionist. Tariffs are rising again, but they are not the main obstacle for most countries’ exports.Non-tariff measures (NTMs) such as regulations, mandatory standards or product requirements, now drive most trade costs. They shape who trades, what is traded and to which markets.For developing countries, this c...
The 29th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM+3) took place on 3 May 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan under the Co-Chairship of H.E. Joven Z. Balbosa, Undersecretary of the Department of Finance of the Philippines, H.E. Rosalia V. De Leon, Monetary Board Member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, H.E. KATAYAMA Satsuki, Minis...
Building Digital Foundations in Small Island Digital States 2.0pdf (2.8MB)DownloadFrom Digital Presence to Digital Utility and ImpactDigital transformation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) has progressed significantly over the past decade, with expanding connectivity, growing digital strategies, and increasing experimentation in public services. De...
In an age where AI can produce market reports in minutes, how can trade promotion organizations stay relevant? Top leaders in the field say the answer is to focus on building relationships, lobbying for a political voice, and taking action on the ground.Jointly hosted by the International Trade Centre and South Africa's Department of Small Business Dev...
SUVA, May 5, 2026— A new six-year partnership between the World Bank Group and nine Pacific Island countries will support country-led priorities to create more and better jobs, strengthen public services, and build resilience to climate and economic shocks. The partnership comes as global volatility, including disruptions affecting energy markets, c...
At the invitation of H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines and Chair of ASEAN in 2026, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will lead the ASEAN Secretariat Delegation to participate in the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, to be held on 6 to 8 May 2026, in Cebu, the Philippines, under the theme “Naviga...
The way countries manage rising debt is widening income gaps, cutting essential services, and increasing maternal mortality.New York New York – Rising debt servicing is estimated to cause 55 million lost jobs for women and a 17 percent fall in women’s per capita income, according to a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) analysis drawing on data f...
WTO members held the first regular meeting of the Committee on Fisheries Subsidies on 1 May 2026, marking a milestone in the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. They approved various decisions on the functioning of the Committee.Members adopt rules of procedure at first Fisheries Subsidies Committee meetingThe Committee adopted its rule...
The WTO has opened online registration for this year's Public Forum, titled Powering the Future, which will take place at the WTO premises in Geneva from 15 to 17 September. It has also launched a call for proposals for the event, which this year will focus on services trade.The 2026 Public Forum will consider the role of services trade as an engine of...
(Geneva/Brussels) – The International Trade Centre (ITC) today launched a revamped version of Trade Map – its flagship tool featuring global trade data and market trends – now offering businesses and policymakers easier access to actionable market intelligence at a time of major shifts in the trade landscape.Trade Map 3.0 – updated with automatic data ...
