WTO Public Forum 2025
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum 2025 is scheduled to take place on 17 and 18 September 2025 at the Centre William Rappard in Geneva, Switzerland. This annual event serves as the WTO’s largest outreach initiative, bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders—including policymakers, business leaders, academics, civil society representatives, and international organisations—to engage in discussions on the evolving landscape of global trade.
The 2025 Public Forum will focus on the theme ‘Enhance, Create and Preserve,’ examining how digital advancements are reshaping standards within the international trading system. Discussions will explore how these technological developments are enhancing global connectivity, fostering innovation, and promoting cooperation among nations. Participants will also address the opportunities and challenges that arise from the integration of digital tools into trade practices.
The agenda will include the launch of the World Trade Report and around 80 working sessions covering topics such as e-commerce and digital trade, development, digital public infrastructure, and AI. A key feature will be the debut of the Trade Policy Hub, a collaborative initiative with the Trade Policy Research Forum designed to bridge research and policymaking. The Hub will foster dialogue between researchers and policy professionals, identify synergies, enhance information flow, and translate research findings into actionable policy insights. This initiative will complement broader Public Forum discussions, addressing pressing trade issues and shaping future research directions.
Additionally, the WTO Chairs Programme will highlight efforts to strengthen knowledge and understanding of the trading system among academics and policymakers in developing countries. Through curriculum development, research, and outreach by universities and research institutions, the programme will cover topics including the role of digital public infrastructure, facilitating digital trade between China and Latin America, and the potential of digital trade agreements to bridge internet fragmentation and support digital development.