WTO Public Forum 2009

Title: “Global Problems, Global Solutions: Towards Better Global Governance”
Date:
  28 - 30 September 2009
Location: Geneva, WTO headquarters

Over the past few years, the WTO Public Forum has firmly established itself as the major opportunity for governments, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses and students to come together to discuss issues regarding the multilateral trading system. The title of this year's Forum is “Global Problems, Global Solutions: Towards Better Global Governance”.

At a time of global financial crisis, a downturn in the global economy, and with protectionism on the rise, the Forum has a more important role than ever to play in finding global solutions. This year's Forum will look in particular at the role of the multilateral trading system and the Doha Round of negotiations within the context of the current global economic crisis.

The Forum will offer participants the possibility to discuss the impact of the global economic crisis on developing countries, in particular least-developed countries (LDCs), and to reflect upon the role of trade financing. Participants will also be able to provide their views on the main challenges facing the multilateral trading system and the post-crisis agenda for the WTO.

 

Discussions at the Public Forum will be organized under the following themes:

1. Finding global solutions to global problems: The way forward towards better global governance;
  
2. The role of the WTO and the Doha Round negotiations in the midst of the current financial crisis;
  
3. The impact of the global economic crisis on developing countries, in particular LDCs, and the role of trade financing; and
  
4. The main challenges facing the multilateral trading systems and reflections on the post-crisis agenda for the WTO.