ECONOMIC RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
WTO Chairs Programme (WCP): 2-3 November 2015
WTO Chairs Programme Annual Conference 2015
This year's annual meeting took place on 2-3 November 2015, at the William Rappard Centre. The Conference was opened by WTO Deputy Director General, Xiaozhun Yi and took stock of the work undertaken by Chairs in 2014-2015. The first day of the conference focused on assessing the achievements of the first year of activities conducted by second phase Chairs. These reflections were conducted by WTO Chairs, the Advisory Board Members, and the WCP Team. The objectives pursued on the second day were twofold: discuss the activities conducted by Phase I Chairs under the WCP logo; and presentations by Phase II Chairs on their planned 2016 activities. This session also provided the opportunity to discuss partnership arrangements among Chairs from both Phase I and II.
See also:
> Building trade capacity
> Economic research and analysis
> Students and young professionals
Introduction
The WTO Chairs Programme (WCP), launched in 2010 for a period of four years, has provided support to 14 Chairs established in developing countries. Following a WTO management decision in 2013, and given the success of the programme in Phase 1, it was decided to continue the WCP for another period of four years with seven new Chairs selected (Phase 2). As a result, in 2014 the partnerships between the WTO and the academic institutions hosting a WTO Chair moved into a new phase increasing the number of participating institutions to 21.
The WCP aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of the multilateral trading system among academics and students in developing countries through teaching, research and outreach activities in research institutions. The programme has been successful in catalysing numerous academic outputs in the three WCP pillars: research, curriculum development and outreach. This has included the publication of research, the launch of new diploma and master’s degree programmes and has led to greater interaction among the WTO Chairs and their respective national trade authorities.
Programme
Day 1 | WCP Conference | WTO, Room W | 2 November 2015
Opening Session
Chair: H.E. Mr Van Schreven, Ambassador, Netherlands
2 November 2015
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The following three sessions took stock of the work undertaken by Phase 2 Chairs in 2014 and provide an overview of achievements by the Chairs.
Second phase Chairs were requested to submit their annual reports on the implementation of their respective 2014 work programs and the main challenges encountered in the delivery of activities. On the basis of this information, the Secretariat will present a summary report of the main fi ndings.
Session 1
Chair: H.E. Mr Van Schreven, Ambassador, Netherlands
2 November 2015
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Lunch
Session 2
Chair: Ms Bridget Chilala, ITTC
2 November 2015
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Coffee break
Session 3
Chair: Mr Maarten Smeets, ITTC
2 November 2015
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Day 2 | WCP Conference | WTO, Room E | 3 November 2015
Session 4
Chair: Alexander Sarris
3 November 2015
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Lunch
Working Session – Room F
Working Session: WCP Advisory Board Members and WCP Team
3 November 2015, 13:30 – 14:30
Session 5
Chair: Lionel Fontagne
(This session focuses on the planned 2016 activities of Phase II Chairs and potential partnerships between Chairs)
3 November 2015
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Closing Session
DDG Agah, Deputy Director-General, WTO
3 November 2015, 17:15 – 17:30