WTO’s Trade and Gender Group Sets Ambitious Agenda for MC14, Championing Gender Equality in Global Trade
Geneva – July 3, 2025 – The World Trade Organization (WTO) today announced a significant step forward in its commitment to fostering gender equality within global trade, with the release of a new report detailing the priorities of its Trade and Gender Group. The document, titled “Trade and gender group outlines priorities for gender equality work leading to MC14,” released this afternoon, clearly articulates the group’s strategic focus as it prepares for the upcoming 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).
This comprehensive report highlights a forward-thinking agenda aimed at integrating gender considerations more robustly into WTO’s trade policies and discussions. The Trade and Gender Group has been diligently working to identify key areas where trade can be leveraged as a powerful tool to advance women’s economic empowerment and achieve greater gender parity in the international marketplace.
Among the core priorities outlined are several critical themes. The group emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the differential impact of trade policies on women, recognizing that these effects can vary significantly across sectors and regions. By advocating for gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis, the WTO aims to build a more nuanced understanding of how trade rules and agreements affect women in their roles as producers, traders, consumers, and workers.
Furthermore, the report underscores the need to promote women’s access to trade-related opportunities and resources. This includes facilitating women’s participation in global value chains, enhancing their access to finance, technology, and market information, and supporting their engagement in trade negotiations and policy-making processes. The group intends to explore practical mechanisms and policy recommendations to dismantle barriers that currently hinder women entrepreneurs and workers from fully benefiting from international trade.
A key focus area is also the role of digital trade in promoting gender equality. Recognizing the transformative potential of digital technologies, the Trade and Gender Group aims to ensure that advancements in digital trade are inclusive and do not inadvertently create new gender divides. Efforts will be directed towards understanding how digital platforms can be leveraged to empower women-owned businesses and facilitate their access to global markets, while also addressing potential risks and challenges.
The report also signals a commitment to strengthening collaboration and partnerships. The WTO acknowledges that achieving meaningful progress in trade and gender requires a concerted effort involving governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. The Trade and Gender Group plans to actively engage with these stakeholders to share best practices, foster knowledge exchange, and build broader support for gender-responsive trade policies.
The timing of this report is particularly opportune, as it sets a clear direction for the WTO’s work leading up to MC14. This ministerial conference represents a crucial opportunity to translate these priorities into concrete action and commitments that will shape the future of global trade for greater inclusivity and equity.
The WTO’s proactive approach, as detailed in this report, signifies a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between trade and gender equality. By placing these vital issues at the forefront of its agenda, the organization is demonstrating a strong commitment to ensuring that the benefits of global trade are shared more equitably, ultimately contributing to sustainable development and prosperity for all.
Trade and gender group outlines priorities for gender equality work leading to MC14
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