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This week at the WTO: 📅 08 – 12 June 2026 📌 Committee on Customs Valuation 📌 Trade Policy Review Body - Uruguay 📌 Committee on Trade Facilitation Find more on the WTO calendar here👉 http://bit.ly/3N20QtK

The WTO Fish Fund has marked an important milestone with the submission to the WTO of the first-ever fisheries subsidy notification made possible through support from the Fund. The submission on 3 June by Tonga under the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has additional significance given the developing Pacific region's exposure to the effects of harmful fisheries subsidies. The notification was prepared during a workshop held from 20 to 22 May in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, as part of a project funded by the Fish Fund, and contributes to Tonga's implementation of the Agreement.

WTO members examined a number of questions related to preshipment inspection (PSI) at an 8 June meeting of the Committee on Customs Valuation. Drawing on recent private sector input and member experiences, the discussions focused on future Committee work related to PSI and how PSI issues should continue to be addressed. The Committee also examined 34 customs valuation notifications submitted by members for review and a trade concern raised by one member.

On 8 June 2026, South Africa notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards regarding the initiation on 5 June 2026 of a safeguard investigation on A3 and A4 office paper imported into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

The Sixth review of the trade policies and practices of Uruguay takes place on 10 and 12 June 2026. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Uruguay.

Co-sponsors of the E-Commerce Agreement (ECA) met on 9 June to discuss preparations for ratifying the world's first baseline set of global digital trade rules. The ratification process forms part of the interim arrangements adopted by over 60 members at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), pending incorporation of the ECA into the WTO rulebook.

The Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) met on 1 and 5 June - marking the start and the conclusion of the seventh edition of WTO Trade and Environment Week - with members reaffirming the significance of this platform for dialogue and cooperation on trade and environment issues. Members launched a new exercise to share information on their trade and climate measures on a voluntary basis and discussed plans for future thematic sessions.

At a series of meetings held from 2 to 4 June, the WTO Council for Trade in Services and its subsidiary bodies discussed a broad range of issues for possible future work, ranging from the services aspects of electronic commerce to the green services economy. Members also agreed to hold a dedicated workshop to share information on the recognition of foreign professionals' qualifications. Discussions continued on ways to help least developed countries better participate in services trade, facilitate remittance transfers, and improve the classification of environmental services.

At an event in London on 10 June, Deputy Director-General DJ Nordquist emphasized that the WTO continues to provide the foundation for the large majority of global trade, even as the trading system adapts to new technologies, shifting supply chains and geopolitical uncertainty. She also stressed the importance of advancing WTO reform while preserving the predictability and transparency on which businesses depend. DDG Nordquist spoke at the launch of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre's Future of Trade Report 2026. Her remarks are below.

Following World Food Safety Day on 7 June, the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) has launched its 2025 Annual Report, Accelerating Safe Trade: From Innovation to Scale. The report showcases how investments in strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems are improving food safety, facilitating trade and supporting sustainable development.