The event was opened by WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill, who stressed the importance of promoting awareness and critical discussion of issues that are vital for the future of world trade, especially in a context like the present, which has seen profound changes and significant challenges for the multilateral trading system.

DDG Hill noted that Latin America has been a strong supporter of inclusive and sustainable trade, advocating equitable development and fair access to global markets. She added that the countries in the region have played a crucial role in driving forward the reforms that are needed to modernize the WTO, ensure the sustainability of the system and address global challenges such as climate change and food security.

Over five days, seminar participants learned first-hand about current WTO issues and global trade matters. The topics covered included the negotiations on fisheries subsidies and agriculture, plurilateral negotiations, trade policy reviews and trade in services. There were also presentations on trade in goods, gender and climate change policies in the new trading context, and Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) reform.

The journalists were also briefed on the role of intellectual property in trade and on how the WTO is preparing for future pandemics.

The seminar received logistical support from the WTO's Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) and also included meetings with representatives from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the United Nations Conference on Trade, and the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL).

The participating journalists work in the written press, radio and television in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.