Press Releases

Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts: 7th Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy workshop

The High Commissioner of India in South Africa, Mr. Prabhat Kumar, The Director General, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, Ms. Sunita Narain, Programme Director for Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy, Centre for Science and...

At Working Party meeting, Uzbekistan affirms focus on concluding WTO accession by MC14

Led by Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev, the high-level Uzbek delegation in Geneva included the Special Representative of the President on WTO issues and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession, Azizbek Urunov, and other senior government officials....

DDG Hill: WTO members’ engagement vital to unlocking the benefits of digital trade

In her closing remarks, DDG Hill noted that digital technologies were powering the global economy, including international trade. Citing WTO data, she highlighted the dynamic growth of digitally delivered services exports, which in 2024 accounted...

Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts opens 7th Global Forum of Cities for Circular Econom Workshop, 28 Jan

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms. Bernice Swarts, will officially open the 7th Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy (GFCCE) workshop at the Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, Johannesburg tomorrow (28 January...

Annalena Baerbock gets selected as UN General Assembly

(MENAFN) According to recent reports, Annalena Baerbock, who previously served as Germany’s foreign minister, has been elected to preside over the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The election, held via secret ballot, saw...

Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield addresss National Council of Provinces Africa Day public lecture

Since the start of the preferential trade under African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) on 31 January 2024, South Africa’s preferential exports have steadily increased. The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr...

DG Okonjo-Iweala: Broad agreement on WTO reform as “central priority” for MC14

“We are now in the midst of one of the largest disruptions in world trade in history,” the Director-General told members. “But we are also now less than a year away from MC14, and we must think of what we need to do to maximize our chances for...

Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Initiative focuses on key areas of 2025 workplan

Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, coordinator of the FFSR Initiative, briefed participants on the outcomes of an informal planning meeting of co-sponsors in March, which had taken stock of progress made in 2024 and developed a plan to guide...

Plastics Dialogue midpoint review charts path towards MC14

Guatemala expressed appreciation for the Dialogue’s progress on the workplan and signalled its readiness to contribute its domestic perspectives. Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Omar Zniber, from Morocco. Stressing trade’s role as a...

National Society Investment Alliance (NSIA) announces 2024 funding

The NSIA is a joint, pooled fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It provides flexible, multi-year funding to support the sustainable...

Marking 30th anniversary, the WTO reflects on historic achievements and future challenges

The Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization was signed by 123 countries on 15 April 1994, leading to the birth of the WTO on 1 January 1995. Over the past 30 years, the WTO has helped to bring about a major expansion in...

Innovation Africa Pledges Clean Water to Additional 200,000 People Across Zambia and Malawi by End of 2024

International NGO Scales Efforts in Response to Crisis Due to El Niño-Induced Drought NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, October 29, 2024 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- Innovation Africa, a leading international charity dedicated to transforming lives through...

DDG Ellard cites urgent need to boost multilateral trading system in university speech

Good afternoon, distinguished faculty, students, guests, and friends of Waseda University. It is an honor to join you today at this renowned institution, which has long been a beacon of academic excellence, innovation, and global impact. Waseda...

US lawmakers want to block IMF assistance to Central Africa

(MENAFN) US lawmakers have introduced a bill to prevent International Monetary Fund (IMF) support for certain Central African countries in response to a controversial regulation imposed by local fiscal authorities on foreign oil companies. The...

DG joins high-level meeting to support the accessions of Ethiopia and Uzbekistan

The Director-General stressed that pursuing lasting economic reforms and accession to the WTO required strong political commitment. She highlighted Ethiopia's economic reforms under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali's "Home-Grown Economic Reform...

DDG Ellard urges support for multilateral trading system amid geopolitical challenges

Good morning, Chairman Lange, esteemed Members of the European Parliament, and the Steering Committee of the Interparliamentary Union. It is a privilege to be here with you today. I have a deep appreciation for the complexities of your work and...

U.S. Slashes Development Programs in Africa

(MENAFN) The United States is significantly scaling back its development and diplomatic efforts in Africa, causing growing concerns about the region’s future in areas like health, education, and economic growth. A leaked executive order from the...

African Health Ministers Initiate Vaccination Against Variant Poliovirus

(MENAFN) Health officials from African nations within the Lake Chad Basin initiated a large-scale immunization initiative on Thursday, aiming to shield 83 million children under five from variant poliovirus type 2, as part of a renewed mission to...

SBS Streamlines Microfinance Operations to Expand Financial Access Across Africa

SBP Core Amplitude Enables Institutions to Make Lending Products and Services More Accessible, While Managing Risk and Compliance NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- SBS, the global financial technology company that...

President Cyril Ramaphosa: 30th Anniversary of World Trade Organisation

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, The World Trade Organisation is integral to the multilateral system and to advancing economic progress. Over the past thirty years, the WTO has worked to ensure a level playing field in global trade...