FAO's Engagement in Geneva Trade Deliberations in November and December 2024

Throughout November and December 2024, the FAO actively contributed to key trade-focused discussions and events, providing valuable insights and updates on agricultural and fisheries trade, food security, and sustainable development. 

Exploring South-South Trade Cooperation for Sustainable Development 

On 4 November, FAO participated in an information session organized by UNCTAD on the Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP): Exploring New Areas of South-South Trade Cooperation for Sustainable Development. Representing FAO, Pinar Karakaya, Economist at the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, reflected on South-South trade in fisheries and agriculture and detailed FAO’s support in advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation schemes. 

FAO Updates to the WTO Committee on Agriculture 

At the 110th meeting of the WTO Committee on Agriculture, held on 26–27 November, the FAO Director of the Liaison Office in Geneva (LOG) provided updates on the global food security situation, developments in agricultural commodity markets, and FAO's efforts to address food insecurity. FAO’s submission offered further insights into these pressing issues. 

Celebrating World Cotton Day in Africa 

During the WTO regular cotton meetings on 28-29 November, partners reflected on the World Cotton Day 2024 celebrations hosted in Benin. El-Mamoun Amrouk, Senior Economist in FAO's Markets and Trade Division, praised this year’s celebration as the first to be held in a country rather than at an international organization, as well as the first in Africa. Amrouk emphasized the importance of cotton as a key agricultural commodity for African economies and recognized Benin’s role in hosting the event. 

Sustainable Trade in Agricultural Commodities 

On 9–10 December, the FAO LOG participated in UNCTAD's Global Commodities Forum. Pinar Karakaya moderated a session on Fostering Sustainable Trade in Agricultural Commodities: The Role of Standards and Traceability. The discussion addressed the impacts of environmentally motivated standards on agricultural value chains and explored challenges in implementing traceability systems. 

Global Food Market Information Group Meeting 

The 26th session of the Global Food Market Information Group under the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) was held at WTO headquarters in Geneva. Technical representatives from AMIS member countries discussed the latest supply and demand data, forecasts, and capacity development initiatives. 

FAO, represented by LOG, delivered opening remarks alongside Donald Boucher, AMIS Chair, and Edwini Kessie, Director of WTO’s Agriculture and Commodities Division. FAO emphasized the critical role of AMIS in providing up-to-date and reliable market information to navigate current crises and challenges. 

How AI Shapes and Is Shaped by International Trade 

Vincent Martin, Director of the FAO Office of Innovation, participated in the WTO conference How AI Shapes and Is Shaped by International Trade. Speaking on the role of AI in agrifood systems, Martin outlined four key contributions of AI: climate adaptation and mitigation, disease detection and prevention, supply chain optimization, and market forecasting. He also highlighted FAO’s work in fostering innovation, including the recently launched foresight publication identifying 20 emerging technologies for addressing agrifood challenges. 

WTO Annual Agricultural Symposium 2024 

WTO organized the 2024 edition of the WTO Annual Agricultural Symposium, themed Trade and Nutrition - Exploring the Nexus. The event, held on 9 December, featured opening video message by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.Participating in one of the round tables FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero discussed findings from the State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2024 (SOCO 2024), while George Rapsomanikis, Senior Economist at FAO, moderated a session exploring the linkages between trade policies and nutrition outcomes. Recording of the session can be accessed here.