GTPA is pleased to announce our engagement in the Global Trade Dialogue and the UN/CEFACT
Roberto Azevedo, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and John W.H. Denton AO, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce launched the Global Dialogue on Trade at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia on 10 October 2018.
Thoughtful, fact-based and informed dialogue on trade is fundamental to assuring a robust and more inclusive model for trade around the world, as well as to demonstrably contributing to peace and security through engagement and mutual prosperity. Leadership today requires vision and courage, and the integrity to do more than pander to narrow interests and narrow views of the world.
The importance of such leadership at this moment in history cannot be overstated, nor can the importance of genuine dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, business, academia, civil society and the numerous international institutions tasked today with assuring the constructive evolution of the global economic system.
The Global Dialogue on Trade brings the unique expertise of think tanks and academic institutions to the debate and GTPA is pleased to be involved alongside other notable organisations.
Representing the GTPA in the Global Dialogue on Trade (GDOT) are CEO of the GTPA Ms Lisa McAuley and Mr Alexander R Malaket, President of OPUS Advisory Services International and Chair of the GTPA’s International and Technical Advisory Committee.
Malaket, who also serves as Deputy Head of the Executive Committee, ICC Banking Commission, notes: “The WTO and the ICC have collaborated to excellent effect in the past, on topics ranging from trade finance to trade facilitation, policy advocacy, regulation and a host of other areas. The timing for a Global Dialogue on Trade could not be better nor more critically important, presenting both an opportunity and a responsibility to shape the future of an inclusive, rules-based international system through informed, thoughtful debate. The GDOT will help expand our collective expectations of the art of the possible in trade and international relations.”
GTPA will be engaging with our global network of trade professionals from our working committees and our partner networks to help shape and form our responses to the first digitally- enabled dialogue, which have now officially kicked off. The initial debate questions cover the following topics on (1) How to deal with trade distorting practices? (2) How to take account of the growing importance of e-commerce to global trade? and (3) Flexible multilateralism: What role for plurilaterals and other negotiating tools?
GTPA is also delighted to have joined the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), which serves as a focal point within the United Nations Economic and Social Council for trade facilitation recommendations and electronic business standards. As a new member, Ms Lisa McAuley is delighted to be able to support and advance the developments on Single Window, Trade Facilitation and Supply Chain and Procurement.