The largest outreach event of the World Trade Organisation will start today at the multilateral trade organisation鈥檚 secretariat in the Swiss city of Geneva.
Under the theme of 鈥楻e-globalisation: Better Trade for a Better World,鈥� this year鈥檚 forum will explore how re-globalisation can help make trade more inclusive and ensure that its benefits reach more people.
In particular, the forum will delve into how green policies, services, and digitalisation can contribute to this objective.
The sub-themes of the forum are green policies to maximise the benefits of trade, services trade to build progress and enhance welfare and digitalisation as a catalyst for inclusive trade.
The public forum will feature 139 sessions from September 10-13. Sessions are organised by WTO member governments, businesses, non-governmental organisations, academia and international organisations with many sessions livestreamed on the WTO web site.
The forum will kick-off with the launch of the World Trade Report, which this year will explore the complex interlinkages between trade and inclusiveness across and within economies.
The forum will also feature a lecture by Jason Furman, Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy at Harvard University and former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during Barack Obama鈥檚 tenure as president of the United States.
Following his presentation, Professor Furman will have a fireside chat with director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, giving participants the opportunity to witness a candid exchange on the potential of re-globalisation at a time of geopolitical uncertainty.
Several interactive activities will be organised throughout the forum, including an immersive exhibition by the International Trade Centre to celebrate their 60th anniversary.
Representatives from civil society, academia, business, government, international organisations and the media have already arrived in Geneva to participate in the forum.
The organisers have set up a packed schedule, anticipating a hectic week ahead.