The WTO’s Annual Report, published on 4 June, provides a comprehensive account of the organization’s activities in 2018 and early 2019. The Report opens with a message from Director-General Roberto Azevêdo and a brief overview of the year.
This is followed by in-depth accounts of the WTO’s main areas of activity over the past 12 months.
“Mounting trade tensions, an increase in trade-restrictive measures and continuing economic uncertainty created real challenges for world trade in 2018. These factors and a deceleration in overall economic activity slowed momentum in global trade, restricting merchandise trade growth to 3 percent compared with 4.6 percent in 2017. This downward trend is expected to continue in 2019, with trade projected to grow by just 2.6 percent. If trade growth is to bounce back in 2020, it is vital we resolve tensions and create an environment where trade can play its full part in driving economic growth and reducing poverty,” said DG Azevêdo.
Read and download the full report.
Original source: WTO
Published on 04 June 2019
