The World Trade Organisation’s Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender (IWG) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality in global trade by unveiling the second edition of the International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade and launching consultations for its 2025-26 work plan. These efforts, announced at a recent meeting, aim to promote gender-responsive trade policies and ensure women benefit equitably from global trade opportunities.
At the February 27 meeting, the IWG co-chairs—Ambassador Clara Delgado of Cabo Verde, Ambassador Patricia Benedetti of El Salvador, and Ambassador Simon Manley of the United Kingdom—highlighted significant progress made in 2024. Key achievements included securing an explicit reference to trade and gender in the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration, introducing a trade policy tool to enhance financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs, and strengthening gender integration into WTO bodies, including the Informal Working Group on Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
The IWG confirmed the launch of the second edition of the International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade, which recognises WTO members and observer governments that have implemented impactful, gender-responsive trade policies. Several WTO members presented their gender-focused trade initiatives at the meeting.
The United Kingdom highlighted its efforts to embed gender equality in free trade agreements, such as the UK-New Zealand FTA and the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. These agreements emphasise cooperation mechanisms for collecting gender-disaggregated trade data and monitoring trade’s impact on women. The UK also stressed the importance of institutional engagement with trade associations and women entrepreneurs in shaping trade policies.
Australia introduced its newly launched International Gender Equality Strategy for a Safer and More Prosperous Indo-Pacific and the World. Developed through extensive consultations with over 600 stakeholders, the strategy aims to reinforce gender commitments in WTO negotiations and other international trade discussions.
Mexico showcased its collaboration with the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement and the WTO Secretariat in organising a capacity-building workshop. The event brought together experts, government officials, academics, and women entrepreneurs to explore ways to integrate gender considerations into global trade frameworks.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) updated members on the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund, a WTO-ITC initiative launched at MC13. The fund will provide grants and technical assistance to help women-led businesses expand in the digital trade sector. The first selected business support organisations will be announced in early March.
The IWG’s efforts are part of broader initiatives to drive gender-responsive trade policies and ensure women benefit equitably from global trade and economic opportunities. By recognising impactful policies and fostering collaboration among WTO members, the IWG aims to create a more inclusive and equitable global trading system.
As the IWG moves forward with its 2025-26 work plan, it remains focused on advancing gender equality in trade and ensuring that women play a central role in shaping the future of global trade. These initiatives underscore the WTO’s commitment to promoting sustainable development and inclusive economic growth through gender-responsive trade policies.
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